A cross-section of DITA Career Talk attendees at the ICT Theatre at the Main Campus Athi River.

By Ashley Muratha

[Athi River Campus: July 15, 2025]  Daystar IT Association (DITA), hosted a career talk on the theme "Bridging the Gap Between Classrooms and Careers," at the Main Campus Athi River

The talk, which brought together students, lecturers and professionals in the industry, was aimed at preparing students to transition from academic life to the dynamic world of technology.

The event  began with a welcome and opening remarks by DITA President Alex Mwera, followed by an interactive icebreaker session led by the Chair Elvis Kariuki.

The Dean, School of Science, Engineering and Health (SSEH), Prof. Martha Kiarie introduced  the guest speaker, Mr. Steve Smith, who has spent more than 25 years in industries ranging from semi-conductors computer hardware, medical devices to factory startups. His professional background in roles such as Operations Manager and Continuous Improvement Champion provided practical context to the real-world guidance he shared with students.

During his speech, Steve highlighted why classroom knowledge must be supplemented with the acquisition of skills that are aligned with industry demands. He discussed common problems that young professionals face, including difficulties in networking, limited experience in public speaking and the risk of over-specializing in specific programming languages and tools. To address these gaps, he advised students to engage in collaborative projects, volunteering for community initiatives and attend networking events like Toastmasters and career fairs. Smith emphasized that building a professional network and gaining real-world experience outside the classroom are crucial steps toward career success.

A large part of his message was about communication. He encouraged students to refine their verbal and non-verbal communication skills, stressing on the significance of how one presents their ideas. In his presentation, he recommended rehearsals and peer review to achieve clarity and confidence, further stressing on the importance of becoming expert in technical documentation, proposal and procedures writing, which is highly valued at the workplace but is often overlooked by students.

Based on his diverse professional career, Smith urged students to be open minded and flexible. Rather than becoming too fixated on a single tool or language like Python and C+, he urged students to be curious and flexible enough to follow new technologies and fields which, he noted, enables candidates to excel in competitive job interviews where recruiters look for candidates who demonstrate depth in specific skills along with the ability to learn and grow.

The session also had interactive sessions which livened the mood and atmosphere. There was also a Q&A session where the students asked practical questions on career development and skills improvement. The session concluded with closing remarks by Madam Harriet Ratemo, and a networking session for students and the guests.

The DITA Career Talk gave students practical advice on how to make the campus-to-career transition. Through its emphasis on flexibility, communication, and proactive initiative, it was obvious that technical skills alone are insufficient for the job market. Success in the world of tech nowadays also requires initiative, collaboration, and a dedication to lifelong learning.