The session commenced with a warm welcome from Assistant Prof. Lindsey Colaco, followed by a formal introduction of the speaker by Ms. Karen Rodrigues (SE Computer Engineering). Mr. Coutinho shared the following  career and academic advice based on his professional journey.

▪  Project-Based Learning: He emphasized the importance of building practical projects during college rather than relying solely on theoretical coursework.

▪  Domain Exploration: He encouraged students to actively explore diverse sub-fields within Computer Science to discover their genuine professional interests.

▪  AI Co-existence & Technical Proficiency: Highlighted that robust technical skills are vital to effectively collaborate with AI tools, advising against complete reliance on automated systems.

▪  The Role of Soft Skills: Stressed how vital interpersonal communication and soft skills are in complementing a developer’s technical prowess.

▪  Continuous Growth: Shared personal experiences in handling challenging client projects, describing a developer’s career trajectory as a journey of constant learning.

To encourage public speaking and build confidence, Mr. Coutinho conducted an engaging extempore activity where students volunteered to speak on various contemporary topics. The student body participated with great enthusiasm. This was followed by an interactive Q&A session where students raised queries regarding current tech industry trends and the evolving job market. The speaker addressed each doubt with clarity and openness, leaving the audience with an inspiring concluding message: “Be good at what you do, be good to work with, and build a life you love.”

Towards the end of the session, Mr. Myron Gonsalves (SE Computer Engineering) shared positive feedback, noting how enriching and dynamic the lecture was. Mr. Shalom Fernandes (SE Computer Engineering) formally proposed the Vote of Thanks. Finally, Dr. Supriya Patil, Head of the Computer Engineering Department, expressed sincere gratitude to Mr. Finson Coutinho for his enlightening session and presented him with a token of appreciation. The symposium concluded successfully with a group photograph capturing the attendees.