Alumni Talk – Career Compass Series 2

The Centre for Corporate Relations (JIT-CCR) is conducting an Intensive Placement Training Programme for the selected IV-year students from 1st July 2026 to 15th July 2026 in physical mode. The programme is designed to enhance students’ employability by strengthening their technical competencies, aptitude, communication skills, and interview readiness for campus placements.

As part of this initiative, JIT-IIPC (Industry Institute Partnership Cell), in association with the JIT IEEE Student Branch and the Department of Computer Science and Engineering, organized Career Compass – Alumni Talk Series 2 on 12th July 2026 from 2:30 PM to 4:30 PM in hybrid mode at the Seminar Hall, Jansons Institute of Technology.

The Alumni Talk was delivered by Mr. S. Prakash, Software Engineer, Palo Alto Networks, Bengaluru, and an alumnus of the 2021–2025 B.E. Computer Science and Engineering batch of Jansons Institute of Technology.

Sharing his journey from a JIT student to a software professional in one of the world’s leading cybersecurity companies, Mr. Prakash provided students with valuable insights into industry expectations, recruitment processes, and the competencies required to build a successful career in the IT industry.

The session covered several essential aspects of placement preparation and career development. Mr. Prakash emphasized the importance of understanding Job Descriptions (JD) before applying for roles and highlighted the significance of preparing a well-structured, ATS-friendly resume tailored to specific job requirements. He encouraged students to pursue industry-recognized certifications through platforms such as Coursera, Cisco, IBM, and other leading learning providers to strengthen their technical profiles.

He also stressed the importance of building a strong GitHub portfolio by showcasing quality projects that demonstrate practical problem-solving abilities. Speaking about the growing influence of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in software development, he explained how AI-powered tools can accelerate coding, debugging, and learning, while emphasizing that strong programming fundamentals remain indispensable.

Another major focus of the session was Data Structures and Algorithms (DSA), which he identified as one of the most critical components of technical interviews. Students were encouraged to practice regularly using platforms such as AlgoMap and LeetCode. In addition, he highlighted the importance of acquiring complementary technical skills, including System Design, Cloud Technologies, SQL, Docker, and CI/CD, while making effective use of high-quality online learning resources.

Mr. Prakash also discussed the importance of maintaining a professional LinkedIn profile for networking and career opportunities. He shared practical strategies for HR interview preparation, communication, and soft skills, emphasizing that technical competence alone is insufficient without confidence, professionalism, and effective interpersonal skills.

During the interaction, he explained that product-based companies generally offer better learning opportunities, higher salary packages, and a healthier work-life balance. However, he also noted that these organizations follow highly competitive recruitment processes, making consistent preparation and continuous skill enhancement essential for success.

The session concluded with several valuable takeaways for the participants. Students were encouraged to develop strong foundations in Data Structures and Algorithms, System Design, Programming Fundamentals, Aptitude, and AI-related skills. They were also advised to build high-quality projects, maintain an impressive GitHub portfolio and LinkedIn profile, pursue continuous learning, and stay updated with emerging technologies and industry trends.

 

The programme was highly interactive and well received by the participants, who actively engaged with the speaker during the question-and-answer session. The Alumni Talk served as an excellent platform for bridging the gap between academia and industry by providing practical guidance, career insights, and motivation from a successful alumnus. The event concluded with a vote of thanks, expressing sincere appreciation to Mr. S. Prakash for sharing his valuable experiences and inspiring the students to prepare confidently for their future careers.

 

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