Beyond the Classroom: Preparing the Next Generation for a Future in Technology

Technology is changing quickly, and for students preparing to begin their careers, that creates both opportunity and uncertainty.

What skills will matter? How will AI change the roles available to them? What does a career in technology look like when the technology itself continues to evolve?

These aren't questions with simple answers. But when students hear directly from people working in technology today, they gain greater insight into the workplace they're preparing to enter. And when organizations listen to students' interests, ideas, and questions, they learn what's shaping the next generation of talent.

That spirit of learning and connection was at the heart of Deltek's first Inspiring Innovation & Creating Future Opportunities virtual event in India early this month. Nearly 300 students from four Bangalore institutions joined Deltek leaders for conversations about AI, technology careers, and the skills that can help prepare them for what's ahead.

Inspiring Innovation & Creating Future Opportunities Virtual Event

Sharing Industry Perspectives on Technology Careers

Helping students understand the workplace they'll enter was a shared focus for Deltek's speakers. Raghu Kandaswamy, Director of Software Engineering, explored how AI is reshaping work, while Nitin Vasudevan, Director of Engineering, offered a closer look at technology engineering careers. Cecille Manlapaz, Senior Director of HR, connected those insights to practical preparation, discussing the skills students can develop as they take their first steps into the workplace.

Together, the conversations reinforced a common message: building technical knowledge is only part of the preparation. Students also need the ability to question, adapt, and apply what they learn as the work changes.

Building AI Fluency & Skills for the Future Workforce

As AI becomes a greater part of everyday work, preparing for the future means more than learning to use the latest tools. It also means developing the ability to keep learning as those tools—and the work itself—evolve. That challenge connects people just starting their careers with those who have been in the workforce for years.

We explored a similar idea Virtual during Learning Week 2026, our annual internal learning event, where Deltek employees and leaders discussed how to build AI fluency while strengthening creativity, adaptability, critical thinking, and human judgment.

For anyone starting out, that's an encouraging message. You don't need to know exactly what technology or your career will look like five or ten years from now. You can focus on building a strong foundation, staying curious, and gaining the confidence to adapt as new possibilities emerge.

Connecting Students, Educators, & Industry Leaders

Relationships between industry and academia enable a two-way exchange: students connect classroom learning with workplace possibilities, while industry leaders learn which technologies, skills, and career experiences they want to better understand.

These conversations also give students a glimpse of how we work at Deltek—asking questions, sharing knowledge, and learning from one another.

Technology will continue to shape the careers these students are preparing to enter. The tools they use, the problems they solve, and even the roles they pursue may look very different several years from now.

What won't change is the value of curiosity, connection, and continuous learning.

By bringing students, educators, and industry leaders into the same conversation, we can help emerging talent better understand their options and approach their next steps with confidence.

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