What Next – The Career Expo 2025 was organised for the fourth consecutive year by the Professional Development Avenue of Rotaract Club of University of Colombo Faculty of Management and Finance in collaboration with the Career Guidance Unit. As one of the most anticipated events in the academic calendar it served as a platform for undergraduates to connect with top employers across a wide range of industries. The event was structured as a comprehensive development program with eight impactful phases, crafted to equip undergraduates with essential skills for corporate readiness. The sessions held throughout April featured several industry experts from leading organisations.
The first phase, held on the 2nd of April, focused on interview skills and was conducted by Mr. Randima Pathirana, Talent Manager & HRBP – Marketing at Ceylon Tobacco Company. This session offered students valuable insights to ace job interviews. On the 9th of April, both Phase 2 and Phase 3 were conducted. Phase 2, centred on CV crafting, was led by Mr. Gehan Samuel, Manager – Human Resource Development at Siluetta (Pvt) Ltd who guided students in creating their resumes to meet the expectations of recruiters. Phase 3, “Sculpting You” hosted by Ms. Shehara Gamage, Head of Information Technology at Unilever Sri Lanka focused on equipping them with the skills and mindset needed to make a lasting impression and succeed in both their academic and professional paths. Another major component of the program was phase 4, the Mock Interview Session, held in collaboration with Ceylon Tobacco Company PLC, H-Connect Pvt. Ltd, Hayleys PLC and Hemas Consumer Brands. This phase provided students with a realistic interview experience and feedback from industry professionals regarding the areas of improvement. Phase Five, “Careers at IFS” provided insights into career opportunities in the tech industry. The session featured a distinguished panel of speakers from IFS including Ms. Thushari Premarathne, Senior Manager – Global HR Shared Services, Ms. Chanukah Gunawardana, Senior Manager – Talent Acquisition & Employer Branding; and Mr. Sagara Sendanayake, Vice President – Software Operations, Global Delivery. They shared invaluable perspectives in understanding industry demands. Phase Six, titled “Suit Up” was held on the 28th of April and was conducted by H Connect featuring Ms. Ayesha Ediriwickrema – Head of HR and Admin. The session focused on how to make yourself corporate ready, equipping participants with practical tips, professional grooming advice and guidance to transition confidently into the corporate world.
Phase Seven, “Leveraging LinkedIn” was held on the 30th of April and was conducted by Ms. Andrea Fonseka – Junior Brand Manager, Category and Operator Experience at Unilever Food Solutions. The session emphasised the importance of building a strong professional presence on LinkedIn, offering insights into personal branding, networking and using the platform to unlock career opportunities. 
The signature event of the initiative was the Flagship Career Fair held on the 9th of May 2025 which brought together over 35 organisations. These represented diverse sectors such as apparel, FMCG, finance, technology and banking, with notable participants including MAS Holdings, IFS Sri Lanka, H-Connect (Pvt) Ltd, Unilever Sri Lanka, Hayleys PLC, Hemas Consumer Brands and Atlas Axillia.
The Career Fair commenced at 9:00 AM with the traditional oil lamp lighting ceremony graced by academic staff members, Career Guidance Unit coordinators, corporate representatives and students. Career Fair continued until 5:00 PM, offering a vibrant and interactive environment for networking, recruitment and career exploration. Ultimately, What Next 2025 directly benefited over 700 undergraduates, many of whom secured internships and even permanent employment opportunities marking the event not just as a highlight of the academic year but as a transformative milestone in their professional journeys.
Written By:
Rtr. Dithya Balasooriya
(General Member 2024-25)
Rtr. Thaveesha Umandi
(General Member 2024-25)
