Before starting the BSc Hons in IT at Moratuwa, I was at a crossroads between choosing a more theoretical computer science path or a professional IT degree. The decision was hard because I knew the workload would be intense, and I'd be sacrificing four years of potential earning time for a promise of future stability in a volatile economy
I chose this specific program because of its reputation for being 'industry-first' rather than just academic. I wanted a curriculum that wouldn't just teach me COBOL or outdated theories but would actually connect me with the giants like WSO2, 99X ,Sysco Labs etc. I gambled on the idea that having the faculty’s network behind me would be a safety net that no self-taught route could provide
Within 4 years, I wanted to transition from a student to a professional with a strong industry network and a high-GPA transcript that actually carries weight in the job market.
The biggest surprise was realizing that while the 'prestige' milestones—like landing a top-tier internship at WSO2—felt like the ultimate goals, my actual stability came from my own side-hustle resilience. I managed to achieve almost everything I set out to do in 2022, but the financial freedom didn't come from a traditional monthly paycheck; it came from freelancing on Fiverr. For the last two years, I’ve been entirely self-sufficient, covering all my own expenses while finishing my degree. Now, 47 months in, I’m facing a strange paradox: I have the GPA and the 'big company' name on my CV, but the job market has tightened so much that I’m having to turn down standard Software Engineering roles to hold out for offers that actually match the value of the skills I’ve built. The 'Golden Ticket' wasn't the degree itself, but the ability to pivot when the industry shifted.
"If you are considering moving into IT right now, in 2026, my advice is: Don't do it unless you are obsessed. Between the shift in entry-level roles and the integration of AI, the days of 'coasting' through a degree into a high-paying job are over. You have to accept that this is a lifetime sentence of continuous learning; the moment you stop upskilling, you become obsolete. If you have the passion, the industry will still give you incredible opportunities and financial independence, but you have to work twice as hard as the generation before you. It’s a marathon where the finish line keeps moving—make sure you have the lungs for it.
