5 Minutes With... Lakmal Tharanga, Information Technology Graduate
10th June 2020
Highlights
- Lakmal Tharanga recently completed his Masters of Information Technology – Computer Networking at Charles Sturt University, Melbourne
- He is proud to be working in an industry that has enabled businesses to stay on foot by providing the opportunity to work from home
- Lakmal recommends students read about new technologies, update your knowledge through industry news and events, and put all of the advice and learnings gathered into practice
1. What do you enjoy most about working in tech?
I have always been inspired by Information Technology and how it enables businesses to conduct their daily processes to achieve success, as well as how it creates opportunities for the future and provides solutions for challenges. Moreover, I’m excited by how it can help us all, especially during these unprecedented times. The tech industry has enabled businesses to stay on foot by providing the opportunity to work from home. I am enjoying working in the tech industry by knowing I am a part of a bigger solution with the ability to give back to the society.
2. What is the key piece of advice you would give someone interested in making the move to the ICT Industry?
It is never too late to start what you like to do. I recommend you read about new technologies, update your knowledge through industry news and events, and put all of the advice and learnings gathered into practice. If you do this plus build a good professional network, you will be up there along with other Tech industry professionals in no time.
3. Tech changes fast. How do you keep your skills up-to-date?
I always read articles about technologies and their changes. It is the best way to keep our knowledge up-to-date. Also, I strongly recommend you put your knowledge to practice. I use simulation software to practice my knowledge and to do experiments. If you need to be the best, you have to work hard for it. Give yourself some time to update your knowledge to earn and develop the skills required for your dream job.
4. Who is your tech mentor or a leader that inspires you and why?
"The qualities that make a good mentor are those that define a great leader," says Michael R. Spano. As many IT professionals, I was inspired by stories of Steve Jobs and Bill Gates. In fact, these two legends are one of the reasons that I am in the tech industry. They both started very small, but they thought bigger and wider and put it to practice without fearing failure. That is why I am inspired by them.
5. How has ACS membership supported your career journey in tech?
First, I want to thank the ACS for what they have been doing to keep a successful and strong IT industry and helping each individual start from being an IT student in Australia and transitioning to work in various IT companies. ACS enables ICT professionals to meet each other and share their ideas by providing professional development opportunities such as events. The event I recently participated in, helped me to meet with other IT professionals and begin to build a good professional network. If you want to work for the best IT companies and start building a strong professional network, ACS is the best organisation to support you.
"5 Minutes With..." is a series of articles showcasing exceptional ACS Members and their amazing, innovative, and game changing stories. Representing over 45,000 tech professionals across Australia, our Members work across industry, government, research, and education organisations and each edition highlights the role they are playing in making Australia a world leader in technology talent, fostering innovation, and creating new forms of value.