Description

The sixth session of the Career Readiness for the IT Industry workshop series was successfully conducted on 13th August 2025, from 6.00 pm to 8.00 pm, offering students and young professionals valuable guidance on how to make the most of internship opportunities as a pathway to long-term career success. Titled “Leveraging Internships to Launch Your IT Career”, the session was conducted by Mr. Aruna Nagahawatte, Senior Manager SE – Application Framework, who brought a wealth of industry knowledge and practical experience to the discussion. The session outline included several key areas designed to guide participants through every stage of the internship journey: Understanding the Importance of Internships – exploring different types of internships, benefits such as real-world experience, networking, and skill development, along with case studies of IT professionals who began their careers as interns. Finding the Right Internship – practical tips on researching opportunities, selecting a specialization, and choosing between corporates, startups, and other organizations. Making the Most of Your Internship – strategies for setting goals, building relationships, and seeking constructive feedback. Transitioning from Intern to Full-Time Employee – demonstrating value, negotiating offers, and leveraging internship experiences for future opportunities. The session began with an engaging introduction and icebreaker activity, encouraging participants to share their dream IT jobs, which set a collaborative and interactive tone. An optional scenario-based group activity was also proposed to help participants reflect on handling real-life internship challenges. The workshop concluded with a lively Q&A and wrap-up session, where participants clarified doubts and received actionable advice from the speaker. This session highlighted how internships serve as a critical bridge between academia and the professional IT industry, helping students build confidence, adaptability, and the skills necessary to thrive in the workplace. The event was jointly organized by the IEEE Computer Society Sri Lanka Chapter and SLAAS Section E3 (Computer Science). From IEEE Computer Society Sri Lanka Chapter, the session was coordinated and organized by Ms. Suresha Perera. The target audience included undergraduates and fresh graduates in Computer Science, IT, Software Engineering, and related disciplines across Sri Lanka, who benefited from practical insights into securing and leveraging internships for career growth.