THE IMPACT OF DIGITAL STARTUPS ON SKILL DEVELOPMENT AND CAREER READINESS OF IT STUDENTS

The rapid expansion of the digital economy has increased the demand for information technology (IT) graduates who possess not only strong theoretical knowledge but also practical skills and professional readiness. However, traditional university education often emphasizes theoretical instruction, resulting in a gap between academic training and industry expectations. Digital startups have emerged as dynamic environments that offer IT students opportunities for experiential learning, real-world problem solving, and early exposure to professional practices. This paper presents an analytical study of the impact of digital startups on the skill development and career readiness of IT students using a qualitative and literature-based approach. The analysis focuses on technical skill acquisition, soft skill development, entrepreneurial mindset formation, and employability outcomes. The findings demonstrate that participation in digital startup activities significantly enhances students’ practical competencies and professional preparedness. The study concludes that digital startups provide an effective complementary learning framework for IT education and represent a valuable component of modern, innovation-oriented curricula.