Issue link: https://maltatoday.uberflip.com/i/1528582
maltatoday | SUNDAY • 27 OCTOBER 2024 7 COMMERCIAL MITA at the freshers' week: engaging minds, inspiring futures ANOTHER year, another Fresh- ers' Week, and this year MITA was once again present at the University of Malta and MCAST Freshers` Week to showcase our Agency and present the various opportunities available for those students who wish to embark on a career in IT. Our stand aimed to give useful information on the various career paths avail- able such as Technical Services Officer, Software Developer and Cyber Security Analyst. Apart from this the students had the op- portunity to surprise all students with something truly playful and mysterious. MITA's stand was manned with various representatives from the main departments within the Agency and the aim was to give a firsthand experience to those stu- dents interested in a career in IT. One of the employees who was on the stand is Anthea Carbone, Executive Officer and she stated that "In addition to the mystery box, we collaborated with various departments and invited recent graduates to share their experi- ences and insights. It was a joy to see colleagues, who typically work behind desks, engaging enthusi- astically with students, discussing opportunities in IT and beyond. The atmosphere was vibrant and welcoming, with many freshers stopping by to chat, participate, and learn more about our agency. A heartfelt thank you to everyone who visited our stand and contrib- uted to the success of the event." On the other hand, Sara Cas- sar, Senior Executive Officer said "During at the Freshers` Week, I managed our Agency's social media presence, showcasing our stand, merchandise and other team members whilst engag- ing students with the activities present on stand. Our stand saw a constant flow of enthusiastic students eager to participate and learn more about MITA's work. The majority were curious about our Agency and its functions, so I took the opportunity to introduce them to our dedicated team mem- bers from different departments present. It wasn't just students who visited us, we also had the honour of welcoming dignitaries such as the Prime Minister Hon. Robert Abela, Opposition Leader Hon. Bernard Grech, along with other Ministers. Their presence highlighted the importance our Agency plays within the Maltese Government where we are one of the key players." This is what other staff members had to say in relation to their ex- perience. Juliet Borg, Executive Officer stated that "Working on the MITA's stand during Freshers' Week, both at the University and MCAST, gave me the opportunity to meet students from various ac- ademic backgrounds. Along with my colleagues, we provided valu- able information about our Agen- cy and its services, particularly highlighting potential career op- portunities. The experience was demanding, but the satisfaction of connecting with students, dis- cussing the traineeship scheme, and enjoying the fun of the mys- tery box made it all worthwhile." Carmen Ellul, Executive Officer within the Human Resources de- partment said "For me, Freshers' Week is a must-attend event, es- pecially given my role in managing the students and apprentices jour- ney with MITA. Together with a team of experts, we guide students through their growth within dif- ferent departments in the Agency. We also help them balance their studies with on-the-job training. Freshers' Week is essential for building strong relationships with today's youth cohort. Since I'm their point of reference, attend- ing such events allows me to stay connected, support their develop- ment, and encourage more stu- dents to join us." Shawn David Vella, Associate Software Developer within the eGovernment Services Depart- ment stated that "I thoroughly enjoyed being part of Freshers' Week. It was amazing to see so many students eager to learn about the opportunities in the IT sector. As a software developer, I've noticed a growing interest in tech-related careers, especially given the increasing demand in this field. Engaging with students, answering their questions, and discussing the pathways they can pursue was a rewarding experi- ence. Freshers' Week provided a platform to inspire students about the exciting future ahead in tech." Finally, Lorraine Barbara, Solu- tions Architect within the Infra- structure Services Department said that "Attending Freshers' Week with MITA for the first time was an exciting and engaging experience. Most students who came on the stand were interested in learning about MITA's respon- sibilities, core values, and culture, particularly those studying IT. As someone working in the Infra- structure Services Department, I was thrilled to discuss the various technologies we use and how they are implemented. I aimed to em- power students to make informed decisions about their IT careers and inspire the next generation of tech professionals." As we embark on another aca- demic year filled with motivated young adults, we wish them the best of luck in their studies. Re- member, perseverance is key to achieving your dreams—so don't be discouraged! Here's to a bright future ahead! Left to right: Mita staff at freshers' week and Prime Minister Robert Abela and Education Minister Clifton Grima visiting the Mita stand at freshers' week