The transition from classroom learning to industry-ready skills has always been a challenge for students. But this year’s orientation at Rayat Bahra Professional University (RBU) took that challenge head-on.

In a dynamic session titled “Bridging the Gap Between Industry and Academia: Opportunities & Future Skills,” Laksh Luther, Founder & CEO of PENNEP and co-founder of multiple global ventures, inspired first-year students to view university life as more than academics—rather as the launchpad for their professional journey. Laced with personal anecdotes, the session proved to be an inspiring one for the students, standing on the doorstep of a defining career.

Nothing Wrong with Failing

Laksh addressed the students to apprise them about the importance of failures. He said, "When you start a business, there are very high chances of succeeding, but then equally high chances of failing. It's ok to fail. After a failure, you cherish a success." He gave the students an inspiring example by sharing his own experience as an international student and managing the financial burden of the studies himself. Laksh also explained to the students that it is perfectly alright to switch careers.

He gave an extremely relevant insight to the students on learning appropriately, which will give them an edge and lead to excellence. He said, "If you are at the top of the top, then it's your chance to grab the right opportunity." He reiterated that the students need to become subject matter experts if they want to remain relevant in the ever-evolving career landscape.

He continued to tell the students that the internships at PENNEP are designed in the US. Elaborating further on the internship options available, he said that the students are referred to many prestigious clients as well.

How PENNEP came into existence?

It was in 2021 that Pennsylvania Enterprises (PENNEP) was established. After repeated unsuccessful initiatives, the company expanded. PENNEP is now a leading provider of comprehensive technology solutions and business consulting solutions. Software Development, Product Development, Web Development, Mobile App Development, IT Consulting, Cloud Computing, IT Strategy Consulting, IT Training, Software Testing, Business Consulting, Data Analytics, etc. are the main services provided. Laksh informed the students that PENNEP has now taken a leap into extensive AI innovations and is on the path to some new and promising product development initiatives.

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Why this Orientation Stood Out?

This session was a call to action, with Laksh emphasizing that universities are no longer just institutions of learning but incubators of real-world impact.

Students entering programs such as Business Administration, Management, Accounting, and IT were encouraged to view themselves not just as learners, but as problem-solvers ready to engage with global opportunities from the onset.

“Classroom knowledge is valuable, but it finds its true worth when applied to real-world challenges,” Luther stressed. “The world is evolving rapidly, and you must evolve with it.”

From Ideas to Impact: Turning Classroom Knowledge into Industry Solutions

To make his point, Laksh highlighted examples where academia directly intersected with business:

The PENNEP Innovation Hub, where students work with industry experts on live projects.
Harvard Business School Cases, bridging academic theory with practical corporate lessons.
University-company partnerships, where labs explore AI, fintech, and sustainability.

For students, this meant one clear takeaway: concepts from textbooks are not just theories to be memorized, but frameworks to be tested, challenged, and applied in the real world.

He cited a striking example: a student-led project where classroom-based data analytics helped a local retailer predict demand, boosting sales by 25%.

“That’s how learning becomes impact,” he said.

Building Careers: Skills, Internships, and Networks

Laksh mapped out skills needed across disciplines—ranging from financial analysis to digital marketing, talent acquisition to supply chain management—while outlining the top 10 emerging roles for graduates. He explained in detail about each role, its relevance, and the skills required. He also talked about the businesses and the integration of IT, giving the new students in the orientation program a sneak peek into the various roles available for business graduates. This provided the students with an understanding of the job roles available ahead.

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Top 10 Emerging Roles for Business Graduates

Role	Focus
Business/Data Analyst	Turning data into business insights
Financial/Investment Analyst	Driving market growth decisions
Healthcare Analyst	Aligning healthcare with business
BI Specialist	Data dashboards & intelligence
Management Consultant	Strategy & efficiency
Product Manager	Leading product lifecycle
Business Development Manager	Building partnerships
Project Manager	Overseeing business/IT projects
Digital Marketing Manager	Boosting brand growth
Supply Chain Manager	Optimizing logistics & operations

He reminded students that internships are no longer optional but essential stepping stones.

“Think of your internship as an extended interview. What you learn and how you show up can determine your first job,” he advised.

Equally important was networking. Students were encouraged to build meaningful connections with peers, professors, alumni, and industry professionals.

“It’s not only what you know, but who you know—and how you nurture that relationship,” Laksh noted.

Lessons Beyond the Classroom: Soft Skills and Resilience

Perhaps the most powerful part of the session came when Laksh shared his journey—his failures, pivots, and eventual rise as a global entrepreneur. From skipping classes out of fear to becoming a founder, his story illustrated that resilience, adaptability, and lifelong learning are non-negotiable.

“Challenges don’t define you—your response does. You can choose to complain… or choose to excel,” he told students.

The emphasis was clear: while technical and business skills are critical, soft skills—communication, leadership, empathy—will set tomorrow’s professionals apart.

Final Takeaway: Building the Future, Starting Now

As the session closed, students were left with a roadmap to success:

Build networks early.
Gain hands-on experience.
Stay flexible and adaptable.
Keep upgrading skills.
Learn from setbacks.

“Success is not a straight line—it’s built on persistence, trial and error, and the hunger to grow,” Laksh concluded.

For the first-year students of RBU, this orientation was more than just an introduction to university life—it was a wake-up call that the future isn’t waiting at the end of their degree. It’s already here, and the journey starts now.

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