Movate’s Director of HR (Learning and Development), Arjun Balasubramanian, addressed first-year engineering students at IIT Madras Research Park, sharing practical guidance on skills related to technology careers, AI innovation, data, and industry readiness.
The first year of engineering can feel exciting and slightly overwhelming. New campus. New subjects. New ambitions. And one big question sitting quietly in the background: “How do I make these four years count?”
That was the heart of a recent orientation session led by Arjun for newly admitted B.Tech students from GIT College, Kottayam (Kerala, India).
The session was held on July 22, 2026, at Lilavati Auditorium, IIT Madras Research Park, in collaboration with GradsKey Technologies (an IITM Pravartak Innovation Hub skilling partner).
The objective was simple: help students understand the evolving tech industry, and how they can adapt for tomorrow to be future-ready.
“This was an interactive session to give students insights on the nature of their course in AI, Data Science, how to navigate it year-on-year, what the industry expects, how to set up their code->prototype->project->product, working with different types of models and using the latest the tools & platforms.” – Arjun Balasubramanian, Director – Learning & Development at Movate.
Why early industry exposure matters
Engineering education builds the foundation. Industry exposure helps students understand where that foundation can take them.
During the session, Arjun spoke about the current technology and employment landscape; especially the growing role of AI/ML, Data Science, and Software Engineering. These are no longer distant career paths. They are becoming core to how enterprises build products, serve customers, and solve operational problems.
IITM Pravartak Technologies Foundation, hosted by IIT Madras, focuses on technology innovation and skilling in areas such as sensors, networking, actuators, control systems, and emerging technologies. GradsKey also works with academic and industry partners to help students build future-ready skills through mentorship and assessments.
That makes sessions like this valuable. Students get to hear what companies expect; not in theory, but from people who work closely with talent, technology, and business needs.
Honing skills beyond the syllabus
A key message from the session was that students should prepare now to be ‘future-ready’.
Problem-solving, understanding customer pain points and domain knowledge are vital. So does the habit of continuous upskilling (a skill that sounds simple, but becomes a real advantage over time).
Students were encouraged to plan their learning journey from the first year itself. That means building projects, taking internships seriously, earning relevant certifications, and seeking practical exposure wherever possible.
The larger point was clear: careers in tech are not built only through exam scores and grades. They are built through persistence and curiosity for crafting novel solutions for today’s business problems.
Connecting learning to real enterprise needs
For companies, talent readiness is not just about hiring. It is about building people who can adapt swiftly, work with new platforms, and understand business context with a deep vertical expertise.
This is especially important in AI-led services and Customer Experience(CX). Enterprises today need teams that can combine human empathy/judgment with digital tools; whether they are improving customer journeys, working with data, automating workflows, or supporting AI-enabled operations.
Movate works across applied AI, digital engineering, data, enterprise operations, and digital customer experience services. Its collaboration as an industry partner for structured programs in programming, AI/ML and Data Science reflects a practical belief: the bridge between campus and industry must be built early.
A solid footing for budding engineers
The best career advice is often practical: Building small projects, enhancing communication, working as a team, and collaborating are pivotal. Staying open and flexible to use new tools in today’s AI era are indispensable traits to differentiate oneself in a job market that’s rife with competition.
For young engineers, it was a timely reminder that the future does not arrive all at once; it is built semester by semester, skill by skill.
Related Information
Web: Career Openings: Your Path to New Opportunities at Movate
Blog: Empowering Future Women Leaders: Movate at ICT Academy Conclave 2025 in Tiruchy
FAQs
Arjun Balasubramanian, Director of HR (Learning and Development) at Movate, conducted the orientation session.
The session was designed for newly admitted first-year B.Tech students from GIT College, Kottayam.
The session covered AI, Machine Learning, Data Science, Software Engineering, communication, projects, internships, certifications, and career planning.
Early planning helps students build relevant skills steadily; it also gives them time to explore projects, internships, and practical learning.
Movate’s work spans applied AI, digital engineering, data, enterprise operations, and CX; these areas require talent that can combine technical depth with business awareness.
References
GradsKey Technologies. (n.d.). GradsKey Technologies Private Limited. IITM Pravartak Digital Skills Academy. https://digitalskills.iitmpravartak.org.in/gradskey.php
Indian Institute of Technology Madras. (n.d.). IITM Pravartak. https://www.iitm.ac.in/research-park/iitm-pravartak