Insight
SAE London Students Experience CitiJS
#SAEStories
From Classroom Learning to Industry Insight
Getting into web development isn’t just about learning how to build a website. It’s about understanding how that website performs, scales, and evolves alongside the industry.
For students at SAE London, attending the CitiJS Conference with Web Development Lecturer Debarsee Roy was an opportunity to see exactly how that happens in the real world.
At CitiJS, students were introduced to far more than just JavaScript fundamentals. The conference explored advanced topics including performance optimisation, Node.js architecture, and how developers handle large volumes of user requests efficiently.
“One of the key things students realised is that building a project isn’t the end,” Debarsee explains. “You need to understand how to optimise it so it performs under real-world conditions.”
From event loops to asynchronous programming, sessions demonstrated how modern applications handle hundreds of requests at once, something essential for building scalable, high-performance platforms.
Learning from Industry Leaders
One of the biggest advantages of the event was exposure to professionals working at the highest level.
Students experienced talks and panels from speakers including Ali Spivak, Tejas Kumar, David Whitney, Daniel Roe, Matheus Albuquerque, Alexander Cheprasov and Lena Lekkou.
For students, this wasn’t just theory. It was direct insight into how leading developers think, build and solve problems today.
Workshops That Bring Development to Life
Across multiple workshops, students had the chance to dive deeper into areas that directly impact modern development.
Sessions explored advanced JavaScript, Node.js, performance optimisation, scalability, generative AI, and real-world workflows.
“These sessions showed students how to analyse their code, understand performance, and improve efficiency,” Debarsee says.
Rather than just learning how to build, students began to understand how to refine and improve their work, a key step towards industry readiness.
Understanding AI Without Relying on It
A major theme across the conference was the role of AI in development.
With students already using generative AI tools, one of the most valuable discussions focused on how to use them responsibly.
“Students are often unsure whether they should rely on AI,” Debarsee explains.
Through panels and debates, students gained clarity. The message was simple, AI is powerful, but it’s not a shortcut.
“You can’t rely on AI 100%,” Debarsee says. “You need to understand what you’re building.”
That balance is becoming essential for future developers.
Building Confidence Beyond Coursework
For second-year students, the timing of the event was critical.
Having already built full-stack projects from concept to delivery, the next step is refinement.
“This is where optimisation becomes important,” Debarsee says.
Understanding performance, scalability and efficiency gives students the confidence to move from academic work into industry expectations.
Networking That Opens Real Opportunities
Beyond the sessions, CitiJS provided something equally valuable — access.
Students were able to speak directly with developers, ask questions, and gain insight into careers and hiring expectations.
“It’s a great opportunity for them to understand how to present their skills and prepare for the industry,” Debarsee explains.
Events like this mirror real industry environments, where continuous learning and networking are essential.
Bringing Industry Back to SAE London
The impact of the event didn’t end when it finished.
Following conversations at CitiJS, there are now plans to bring similar workshops and industry sessions directly to SAE London.
“They’re really interested in coming to SAE and working with our students,” Debarsee says.
This creates even more opportunities for students to connect with industry without leaving campus.
Why This Matters for Future Developers
At SAE, the focus goes beyond theory. It’s about preparing students for how the industry actually works.
Through events like CitiJS, students stay up to date with industry trends, learn modern tools and techniques, build confidence beyond coursework, and connect with professionals early.
That combination helps students move from learning to working.
Start Your Web Development Journey at SAE London
If you’re serious about working in web development, it’s not just about what you learn. It’s about how you apply it, how you optimise it, and how early you connect with the industry.
At SAE London, students don’t just build websites. They learn how to scale them, refine them, and prepare them for real-world use.
Visit SAE London to explore the course, meet the team and see how you can start building your future in tech.
