5 Minutes With... Malinda Shashimal Obeysekara, ACS Professional Year Student Member
11th November 2020
Highlights
- This week we interviewed ACS Professional Year Student Member Malinda Obeysekara.
- Malinda is an experienced Web Software Engineer who is skilled in Skilled in PHP, WordPress, Databases, Web Design & UI, UX Experience.
- Read on to find out about his career journey.
A bit about Malinda
I’m experienced Web Software Engineer with a demonstrated history of working in the information technology and services industry. Skilled in PHP, WordPress, Databases, Web Design & UI, UX Experience. Strong engineering professional with a Master of Software Design & Development.
I have done my Bachelor’s Degree BSc (Hons) IT in Cardiff Metropolitan University - United Kingdom, once completed my degree straight way I have applied for IT jobs and start to work as junior web developer in IT based company. Step by step involved in to some various projects and gaining enriching experience in areas such as front end and backend development knowledge and skills. Also, continually worked with IT company called Trump Code(Pvt) Ltd as a freelancer.
I've completed my Professional year course from Performance Education and PE online course was part of my professional year. After completing 9 modules I started my internship with Nikee business group as a Web developer. According to their instruction published two web sites from scratch to till hosting by myself.
1. What do you enjoy most about working in the tech industry?
I think the biggest reason and most interesting part about working in the tech industry is the research, learning and continuous work on ourself. Working as team, new tasks, targets, achievements are all part of the enjoyment. Also, when we learn basic fundamental theories about Information technology and working industry we need to use them wisely. ICT industry is a world full of challenges wherein we become part of research, developments, problem-solving, innovation and learning-by-doing environment. Most of the times I faced new challenges, critical tasks, worked on deadlines, those difficulties turned me as confident person in my life.
2. What is the key piece of advice you would give someone interested in making the move to the ICT Industry
Information technology is a progressive and constantly changing industry, promising a wide range of opportunities. I believe ICT isn’t a static industry. New opportunities open up every day within companies or in related fields. Graduates can choose to undertake further study through different IT courses to expand their knowledge and skills. Especially when someone is qualified in the industry they have lot of opportunities, growth potential, exposure to a variety of industries, they will get new challenges, satisfaction and can make money as a professional.
3. Tech changes fast. How do you keep your skills up-to-date?
Keeping my knowledge and skills up to date has given me the confidence to handle any tasks that employer expects from me to perform. Also, I try to stay flexible and enthusiastic about my work. Set time and manage my time to read, watching tech talks, attend tech conference, refresh new technologies, find and follow innovators in the industry always keep my skills and knowledge up to date.
4. Who is your tech mentor or a leader that inspires you and why?
When updating my knowledge and during the researches, I found there are some great people from the tech industry that inspire me. I am extremely amazed by their thought and stories. Some of them made a huge change in this industry with their innovative ideas. The most important thing I have learned from these leaders is that they believed in themselves and their ideas and worked towards it. Most of them started their successful stories as a small idea or project. Also I follow, read articles and inspires about Mark Zuckerberg, Susan Wojcicki, Reed Hastings, Jack Ma, Satya Nadella.
I attended tech conference called Reimagination Thought Leaders’ Summit. Honestly that was an amazing event organised by ACS. Amazing tech leaders, Founders, CEO, Chairman’s of the most popular companies shared successful stories, challenges, epic tech talks. During that session I was most inspired by Dr Jordan Nguyen, Founder & CEO of Psykinetic. He is an internationally renowned engineer for humanity. Dr Nguyen designs life-changing technologies that are intelligent, futuristic and inclusive, and many of these are made to transform the lives of people with disability.
I was really inspired by his tech talk where he says “It’s all about MINDSET, Embrace the change. We affect the lives of those around us every day. Together we create the future. Innovation & collaboration, Human first, Technology second. Dream BIG, Take ACTION. We are only limited by our own IMAGINATION".
5. How has ACS membership supported your career journey in tech?
Australian Computer Society membership has supported me in many ways during my professional year program and still continues to keep me updated about conference, tech updates and developing our skills for future career opportunities. Specially had a chance participate to Reimagination conference with discounted ticket. Through this summit I got opportunity to improve my tech knowledge as well as for my personal career life. I receive updates about IT industry, how to develop our skills and future career opportunities. Through newsletters I receive lot of important information related to ICT sector.
As a part of professional year program, we are guided by lead tutor at the ACS, through that I learned about SFIA framework in my Professional Environments. Also received detailed and positive feedback on tasks which helped me to understand my shortcomings and support me to make improvements through guidance. All of these boosted my confidence and knowledge. Those valuable feedbacks and information supported to my career journey and personal life.
"5 Minutes With..." is a series of articles showcasing exceptional ACS Members and their amazing, innovative, and game changing stories. Representing over 48,000 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.