Path to Internship '26 – Webinar 01

Description

The IEEE Student Branch of SLIIT , in collaboration with the IEEE Industry Applications Society (IAS) Student Chapter of SLIIT , has kicked off Path to Internship '26 (PTI '26) a flagship career development initiative designed to help undergraduates build the skills and confidence needed to secure internships and launch their careers. Webinar Topic 1: Mastering the Balance Between Academics & Experience As the opening session of PTI '26, this webinar was conducted via Microsoft Teams by Mr. Sayuru Bopitiya , Technical Consultant at Platned and ML Research Contributor at Cohere. He shared his personal journey and practical insights on balancing academic excellence with extracurricular and professional development. Key focus areas: Real-life strategies to balance studies and activities The importance of extracurricular involvement The value of volunteering and leadership roles Personal journey and lessons learned Time management and prioritization The session gave students actionable guidance on building a well-rounded profile one that aligns with industry expectations while balancing academic success with meaningful, hands-on experience. Webinar Topic 2: Your Complete Internship Roadmap – From CV to Offer Letter Continuing the momentum of PTI '26, the second webinar was led by Ms. Sharon Kern , an experienced HR professional, and equipped students with the practical tools needed to navigate the internship recruitment process from start to finish. Key focus areas: Common mistakes applicants make LinkedIn and personal branding Internship application strategies GitHub / portfolio building CV writing and optimization Participants walked away with concrete strategies for strengthening their CVs, optimizing their LinkedIn presence, building strong portfolios, and applying more effectively helping them approach internship opportunities with greater confidence. Looking Ahead Together, these two sessions mark a strong start to Path to Internship '26, giving SLIIT undergraduates a solid foundation in both personal/professional development and practical application skills . The initiative continues to reflect the shared commitment of the IEEE Student Branch of SLIIT and the IEEE IAS Student Chapter of SLIIT to preparing students for successful careers beyond the classroom.