Abstract:
Transitioning from academia to the industry has become a formidable endeavour
for fresh graduates in the IT domain. Although graduates possess strong
theoretical knowledge, the shortage of practical skills hampers their potential for
successful employability. This gets further complicated by the fast-paced and
dynamic nature of the IT field. The disparity in perceptions regarding the
determinants of career success between academia and industry can cause the lack
of work readiness of graduates. To ensure the graduates are industry-ready and
competent, academia should proactively identify and align with the industry's
expectations. The objective of this study was to identify the key determinants for
entry-level graduates to succeed in distinct career paths in the IT sector. Thus, a
descriptive quantitative survey approach was employed. A questionnaire survey
was developed and administered among Sri Lankan IT professionals belonging
to five career paths. A total of 383 responses were received and data analysis was
conducted independently for each career path. Frequency counts, percentages and
mean values were used to describe the collected data. Results revealed that
domain-specific technical skills, soft skills, internship experience and personal
preference are the most influential determinants for career success in all five
career paths. While academic specialisations, academic projects, professional
certifications, and extracurricular activities were found to have a positive impact,
academic performance parameters CGPA or grades were found to be
insignificant. Individual factors such as gender, socio-economic background, and
physical well-being were also found irrelevant. Additionally, a set of domain
specific technical skills was determined based on the professional’s option. In
conclusion, the findings reveal the existence of a perception gap in academia
regarding industry expectations of graduates. It is vital that academia collaborate
with industry to assist graduates’ transition more smoothly into the world of
work.
