Emerging IT Career Paths: Plan Ahead as a Graduating Student

REFLECTION REPORT 04

I. Details of the event/activity

The title of the event that I attended was Emerging IT Career Paths: Plan Ahead as a Graduating Student, held on November 6, 2022, 1:00 p.m. to 2:30 p.m. The event was conducted online via Google Meet and Facebook Live.

II. Reflections on the webinar/activity give rise to (learnings)

Jobs related to programming and technology are not as demanded around here. So working somewhere far outside this city is a strong possibility for me.

The speaker heavily emphasized soft skills, such as communication skills, which I lack. Although I have tried to put some effort into improving my speaking and socializing skills, my current level is not enough to make me comfortable being in a workplace filled with unknown people.

Lastly, the webinar ended in a very comforting way that I am not alone in my struggles. Impostor syndrome is common among people, where you undermine your strengths and abilities. But in reality, you are not the person you think you are in the eyes of everyone. In the beginning, we might struggle or become lost, but it does not mean you are not capable of accomplishing great things. Even the speaker did not escape the syndrome. But he reassured the audience that while it starts difficult, it gets easier the more time you spend working.

III. Reflections on possibilities on implementing some of the webinar input on a practical level (practical application of learnings)

Hearing from someone working in the industry rather than reading from a random person on the internet that being a front-end developer is a common career choice is comforting enough for me.

As a graduating student, the webinar further solidified my career choice as a front-end web developer. Before becoming a third-year college student, I have been in constant limbo ever since. Do I have what it takes to be an application developer, let alone a Computer Science student? But right now, as a fourth-year graduating student, I have never been so sure of myself what path to take that will lead me to my future, even if that path is rocky.

IV. Positive feedback (on the event organization)

Overall, the webinar was audible and visible. It was also streamed on Facebook Live to accommodate for the large number of participants. The sections and portions of the event were very clear. Also, the speaker constantly asked the audience to keep the engagement of the event from going down.

V. Suggestions for improvements to be made/consider for future activities

For the event organizers, the change in the Google Meet link was not announced to the participants, which made me join the webinar late.

While for the speaker, presentation slides should only contain what the speaker is currently talking about, as they are packed with information which can be daunting to read.