Guidance, planning and self-knowledge are key.
Inteli believes that training a technology professional goes far beyond theoretical content. In addition to developing communication, teamwork and leadership skills, our students are guided through a process of self-knowledge in order to make the best choices for their careers.
One of the key activities in this journey is Careers Week. We had a chat with Raj Rani, head of CDL's Leadership Development Center, to find out how the event is the starting point for managing the careers of these talented young people.
INTELI BLOG: Why is Inteli Careers Week different?
RAJ: Our Careers Week adapts to the students' moment. In this first edition, which took place in October, much more than focusing on the traditional event of an internship and vacancy fair, we chose to put together a really nice mix of opportunities, development content, leadership workshops, teamwork and self-knowledge. So the intersection between the three spheres - development, vocational guidance and employability - made the event different from other contexts.
BLOG DO INTELI: How did Careers Week help students who are still undecided about their choice of course?
RAJ: At Inteli it is possible to change course in the second year. As we still have some undecided students, we prepared information sessions with each of the course coordinators. We also invited market professionals from various fields to give talks, facilitators for workshops and the academic team was also very present. We organized it this way so that everyone had the chance to have a moment of reflection and self-knowledge about their career.
BLOG DO INTELI: What were the highlights of Careers Week?
RAJ: I think the out-of-class schedule with various events was a very good point. The students were able to put together their own schedule within Careers Week, choosing the best activities according to their own priorities.
I would also highlight the dynamism of the lectures and workshops. We offered practical and participatory exercises with a very reflective approach for the students. The event's infrastructure was also a plus point, with coffee breaks, prizes and raffles.
INTELI BLOG: The Week had HR professionals talking to students about the gaps in the IT market and what skills they should focus on in their training. In your first year at Inteli, how do you think the school has helped prepare students to fill these gaps and really transform the technology sector in Brazil?
RAJ: In this first year, we have had feedback from the HR market that has strengthened our thesis that there is a gap between the traditional teaching model and the demands of the market.
The pillars of leadership, teamwork and behavioral skills continue to be a major bottleneck in technology. So, when we propose a curriculum that integrates Computing, Business and Leadership, we begin to receive recognition from employers about the repertoire of our students in just one year of academic experience.
The project partners and companies that received the students for their vacation internships were very surprised by their engagement, their ability to apply the knowledge they had learned and their knowledge of management practices such as agile methodologies and project management. And after Careers Week, we were able to refer just over 70 students to vacation internships.