Our newest Tech Chat podcast discusses building a compelling career portfolio in two episodes of Stack Your Career Sandwich: Building Your Career Portfolio as a College Student.
In today’s competitive job market, a degree alone isn’t always enough to stand out. Students need more than academic knowledge—they need experiences that demonstrate their skills, interests, and readiness for the workforce. From internships and research to campus involvement and hands-on projects, these opportunities help shape not only what students know, but what they can do. The question is: how can students make the most of their time in college to build a strong, well-rounded career foundation?
In this two-part episode of Oracle Academy Tech Chat, host Tyra Peirce sits down with Lino Persi, Senior Vice President of Worldwide Java Customer Success at Oracle, to explore how students can intentionally “stack” experiences to create a compelling career portfolio. They discuss the role educators play in supporting career readiness, the value of real-world experience, and how students can begin to connect their academic journey to future career goals.
The conversation also touches on how to think beyond traditional pathways, offering perspectives that apply whether students have access to internships or are exploring alternative ways to gain experience.
Whether you’re a student looking to stand out or an educator aiming to better prepare your students for success, this conversation offers practical insights and fresh perspective on navigating today’s evolving workforce.
In episode one, Tyra sits down with Lino to explore how students can go beyond academics to build a strong, well-rounded career foundation. Together, they discuss the importance of intentionally “stacking” experiences—such as internships, projects, research, and campus involvement—to develop both technical and soft skills that employers value. Lino shares practical insights on how educators can better support students, why hands-on experience is critical in shaping career direction, and how mentorship and diverse opportunities help students discover their interests and stand out in a competitive job market.
In episode two, Tyra continues the conversation with Lino, focusing on how students can turn their experiences into real career opportunities.
They explore how to stand out—even without traditional internships—by leveraging projects, volunteer work, and leadership roles, and discuss how experiences such as study abroad and campus involvement translate into workplace value.
Lino also shares practical advice for students on presenting their skills effectively on resumes and in interviews, the importance of mentorship and networking, and how to confidently position themselves for success in a competitive job market.
Listen to this episode and more on podcast platforms or at Oracle Academy Tech Chat.