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This community service program is entitled Improving Microcontroller Competence of Students of SMK Negeri 3 Pematangsiantar through Arduino Training Based on Industrial Practice and is implemented as a follow-up to the school's official request to invite university practitioners as guest teachers in order to strengthen industry-based vocational learning. The activity was carried out on November 27, 2025 at the Computer Laboratory of SMK Negeri 3 Pematangsiantar involving 50 grade XI students, and guided by Andi Setiadi Manalu, S.Kom., M.Ti as the main instructor of Arduino material which focuses on the introduction of microcontrollers, basic programming, sensor integration, and simple automation project design. The purpose of this activity is to improve students' technical competence in the field of embedded systems while fostering work readiness through real-world practice-based learning experiences. The implementation method uses an experiential learning and project-based learning approach, which combines brief conceptual explanations with direct practice, technical discussions, and problem-based project assignment completion. The evaluation results show an increase in students' understanding of microcontroller functions, programming logic structures, and the ability to connect hardware and software in one work system. In addition, students demonstrated increased motivation, confidence, and interest in industrial technology, as reflected in their active participation during the practicum and their successful independent completion of functional prototypes. Overall, this activity proved effective in strengthening the technical competencies of vocational high school students and supporting the implementation of the link and match policy between vocational education and the needs of the industrial world, while also emphasizing the strategic role of higher education institutions in supporting the improvement of human resource quality at the vocational high school level.

Digital transformation and advances in artificial intelligence (AI) have fundamentally changed the demands of the workplace, creating a gap between graduate competencies and industry needs. This study aims to evaluate the effectiveness of AI Agent-based career adaptability psychoeducation as a community empowerment strategy to improve the work readiness of high school/vocational school and university graduates. The study design used a descriptive-interventional approach with 27 participants who participated in a four-week online training. Data were collected through a pre-post survey using the Career Adapt-Abilities Scale (CAAS) and qualitative observations during the training. The results of the Wilcoxon Signed-Rank test showed a significant increase in career adaptability scores (Z = –4.543, p < .001), with all participants experiencing increased career adaptability. Observations showed that participants became more confident, reflective, and proactive in designing their career directions after interacting with the AI ​​Agent. These findings indicate that psychoeducational interventions integrated with intelligent technology can strengthen the adaptive capacity and work readiness of the younger generation. Theoretically, this study expands the application of the career adaptability concept in the context of AI-based learning; In practice, the results provide a relevant community empowerment model for educational and employment institutions in the era of digital disruption.

Digital transformation and advances in artificial intelligence (AI) have fundamentally changed the demands of the workplace, creating a gap between graduate competencies and industry needs. This study aims to evaluate the effectiveness of AI Agent-based career adaptability psychoeducation as a community empowerment strategy to improve the work readiness of high school/vocational school and university graduates. The study design used a descriptive-interventional approach with 27 participants who participated in a four-week online training. Data were collected through a pre-post survey using the Career Adapt-Abilities Scale (CAAS) and qualitative observations during the training. The results of the Wilcoxon Signed-Rank test showed a significant increase in career adaptability scores (Z = –4.543, p < .001), with all participants experiencing increased career adaptability. Observations showed that participants became more confident, reflective, and proactive in designing their career directions after interacting with the AI ​​Agent. These findings indicate that psychoeducational interventions integrated with intelligent technology can strengthen the adaptive capacity and work readiness of the younger generation. Theoretically, this study expands the application of the career adaptability concept in the context of AI-based learning; In practice, the results provide a relevant community empowerment model for educational and employment institutions in the era of digital disruption.