December 20th, 2025
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The session “What No One Told Us in College” was designed to help students gain a clear understanding of real-world career expectations beyond academic learning. The program focused on industry readiness, higher studies, skill development, and informed career decision-making through the experiences and insights shared by alumni.
The IEEE HKN Nu Eta Chapter of Sri Sairam Engineering College organized an online alumni interaction session titled “What No One Told Us in College” on 20th December 2025 via Google Meet. The event brought together students, faculty members, and distinguished alumni working in reputed organizations and universities.
The session aimed to bridge the gap between academic life and professional expectations by offering practical guidance on career planning, workplace readiness, and long-term growth. Alumni shared their journeys and lessons learned while transitioning from college to industry and higher education.
Segment 1: Industry Expectations and Early Career Lessons
The alumni speakers discussed their initial career experiences, common mistakes made during college, and
the importance of practical skills, communication, adaptability, and professionalism in the workplace.
Segment 2: Higher Studies and Career Planning
Insights were shared on pursuing higher education in India and abroad, including application processes,
entrance requirements, skill preparation, and balancing academics with extracurricular development.
Segment 3: Skills Beyond the Classroom
The speakers emphasized the value of internships, real-time projects, networking, continuous learning,
and building a strong professional profile to remain competitive in the job market.
Segment 4: Interactive Question and Answer Session
Students actively participated by raising questions related to placements, resume building, career
transitions, work-life balance, and long-term professional growth. The interactive discussion made the
session engaging and insightful.
1. Ms. Mahalakshmi – Systems Engineer, TCS
2. Mr. Dineshkumar Sankar – Software Developer, Sify Technologies
3. Mr. Sai Sakthivel – Business Development Representative L1, Kissflow Inc.
4. Ms. Anushree Udhayakumar – Graduate Student, University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign (MS Information Management)
5. Ms. Tapasya Kalyanasundaram – Product Engineer, DataSwitch
The session was conducted with the support and guidance of Dr. K. Soma Prathibha, IEEE HKN Nu Eta Chapter Advisor, and received encouragement from Dr. R. Raja, Principal, and Dr. Sai Prakash Leo Muthu, Chairman & CEO.
The event witnessed the participation of approximately 90–100 students and faculty members from various departments. Participants remained actively engaged throughout the session, contributing to discussions and interacting with the alumni speakers.
- Real-world career insights shared by alumni from diverse professional domains.
- Practical guidance on industry readiness, higher studies, and skill development.
- Interactive discussions addressing student concerns and career-related questions.
- Motivated students to plan their careers early and adopt a strategic approach to growth.
Participants expressed strong appreciation for the honest and relatable experiences shared by the alumni. Many students found the session motivating and helpful in clarifying their career paths, preparation strategies, and future goals.
The session successfully enhanced awareness of professional expectations and career planning among students. Participants gained clarity on the skills, mindset, and preparation required to succeed in industry and higher education.
The alumni interaction session “What No One Told Us in College” served as an impactful platform for students to gain practical knowledge beyond academics. The IEEE HKN Nu Eta Chapter continues to support student development through meaningful, industry-oriented, and alumni-driven initiatives.