The transition from university to the professional world is filled with enthusiasm, but also with many challenges.
uncertainties.
What career path to follow?
What does a technology company actually do on a daily basis?
• Does what we learn in class have practical application?
O Celfocus Insider It emerged to to answer these questionsWith real-world experiences, direct contact with professionals, and space to explore the technological universe in an uncomplicated way.
Much more than an event
“It was incredible to see how the projects we study in college come to life within a company,” shared João, a Computer Engineering student, after the 2025 Open Day.
Like him, many students arrive with doubts and leave with a new vision of what their professional future could be.
During Open Day, participants experience the atmosphere of the... Celfocus, working alongside teams in areas such as Artificial Intelligence, Cloud or DevOps.
The latest edition included students from various universities and stood out for its increased diversity: the number of female participants tripled compared to the previous year.
"I felt like I belonged there," said Maria, a Data Science student.
Hackathons: Innovation in action
Innovation is essential in the world of technology. That's what we experienced in GenAI Hackathon, at Porto, where multidisciplinary teams had 12 hours to solve real-world challenges with the support of company mentors.
"I thought hackathons were only for those who mastered code, but I realized that knowing how to communicate and collaborate is equally important," said Ricardo, a finalist in the challenge.
More than just prizes, participants were able to see how an idea developed in just a few hours can generate impact.
Talks and workshops: Demystifying TECH
There are still myths about the technology sector.
In workshops like "What Nobody Tells You About Working in Tech," we dismantle preconceived ideas with real-world examples.
Through interactive activities, students discover what professionals in different fields do – from UX Design to Product Management – and recognize that there is room for diverse profiles.
"I realized that my willingness to solve problems is worth just as much as knowing how to program," Sofia said.
In the Talks, we hear real stories filled with successes, doubts, and also failures.
"Hearing a manager talk about the mistakes he made before succeeding made me realize that failure is part of the process," said Miguel.
Why does this matter?
Today, having a degree isn't enough.
Young people need role models, practical experiences, and context to make informed decisions about the future.
O Celfocus INSider delivers exactly that – and the results speak for themselves: 55% of Open Day participants end up applying. to company talent programs.
"The Celfocus INsider has been an incredible way to build bridges between the academic world and the world of work. It's a valuable opportunity to get to know young talents authentically – to understand how they think, what motivates them, where they shine. For them, it's a chance to experience the job market without filters and see if they see themselves in this context. This direct contact has been a differentiator and becomes a genuine and impactful first step in bringing talent and technology closer together.”
Verónica Nabeiro – Celfocus Insider Lead
