{
  "id": 19829573,
  "title": "Software engineering and making the leap from college to career",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/11/13/software-engineering-and-making-the-leap-from-college-to-career",
  "topic": "tech",
  "section": "Tech",
  "published": "2026-11-13T16:00:57.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Silicon Republic",
    "slug": "silicon-republic",
    "url": "https://www.siliconrepublic.com/careers/software-engineering-college-career-liberty-it-skills-working-life"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Liberty IT, the technology division of insurance giant Liberty Mutual Insurance, has taken a strategic step to bolster its software engineering talent pool by recruiting 40 graduates into its TechStart programme. This 12-month initiative aims to equip recent graduates with a robust blend of technical, professional, and business skills, enabling them to seamlessly transition from education to employment.\n\nThe programme kicks off with an intensive 12-week academy, featuring a mix of instructor-led training, expert-led sessions, business awareness modules, self-paced learning, and hands-on hackathons. All these elements are designed to instil the core engineering principles and interpersonal skills necessary for high-performing teams. Graduates also undertake a team project during this phase, culminating in a final showcase of their skills and understanding.\n\nEmma Mullan, Liberty IT's senior director of talent, expressed delight at the arrival of these fresh graduates, emphasizing the programme's role in building a sustainable talent pipeline. She highlighted the value of a structured, long-term approach to talent development, stating that the TechStart programme provides graduates with a strong foundation and hands-on experience.\n\nColin Higgins, the senior learning and development manager at Liberty IT, underscored the significance of curiosity and ownership in nurturing a long-term career within the company. He also stressed the importance of strong engineering fundamentals, alongside soft skills like clear communication and collaboration, to ensure new hires can quickly become valued members of high-functioning teams.\n\nLooking ahead, Liberty IT's managing director, Tony Marron, highlighted the growing impact of artificial intelligence on software engineering. While AI automates certain aspects of software development, it heightens the need for engineers to focus on problem framing, output evaluation, and technical decision-making. As such, Liberty IT remains committed to investing in early-career talent, through programmes like TechStart, to cultivate strong engineering foundations and prepare graduates for ongoing professional growth in an ever-evolving tech landscape.",
  "summary": "Liberty IT’s Colin Higgins explores how the next generation of engineers can develop their skills for a future-focused career. Read more: Software engineering and making the leap from college to career",
  "key_points": [
    "Liberty IT recruits 40 software engineering graduates into TechStart program.",
    "12-month program combines technical, professional, and business skills training.",
    "TechStart prepares graduates for seamless transition to high-performing teams."
  ],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}