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How to polish your digital skills for work and school
Digital skills are a must in the modern workplace. As a digital native, you’re probably pretty tech savvy already – but there’s more to this skillset than Tiktok and smartphones!
Strong digital skills mean you can find and check reliable, trustworthy sources of online information. You’ll also be able to use tech platforms like Outlook, Microsoft Office and Zoom.
You’ll be able to find the right digital tools for the task at hand – adapting quickly to new platforms and navigating apps intuitively.
‘From using the internet in your work to being savvy with tools like Outlook, MS Office and Zoom, digital skills are vital in today’s workplace’
What are digital skills?
Digital skills refer to the ability to use digital devices, software and online platforms to perform tasks effectively and quickly. These skills include:
- Basic computer skills: Using operating systems (like Windows or macOS), browsing the internet and managing files.
- Software proficiency: Using programs like word processors (e.g. MS Word), spreadsheets (such as Excel) and presentation tools (like PowerPoint) for school or work tasks.
- Online communication: Using email, social media, and video conferencing tools (e.g. Zoom, Teams or Meet) to communicate and collaborate with others.
- Problem-solving: Troubleshooting issues with devices or software and finding solutions.
- Digital safety and security: Understanding how to protect your personal information online and avoid security threats, such as phishing scams.
Digital skills at school
You probably use digital tools in most of your school subjects – maybe you even have a tablet to help with your schoolwork. Here’s how digital skills come into play in the classroom:
- Research: Finding reliable information online, evaluating sources and using digital tools to gather and organise information for projects or essays.
- Creating content: Using software like Microsoft Word, Canva and even AI tools such as ChatGPT to create documents, presentations and graphics for assignments and classwork.
- Collaboration: Many school projects require collaboration, and tools like Google Drive, Microsoft Teams, or Zoom allow you to share documents, work on files together in real-time, and communicate with other students and teachers.
- Online learning platforms: Maybe you use platforms like Moodle or Google Classroom to view your homework, resources and even attend virtual lessons.
Digital skills at work
Most jobs involve a fair amount of computer time these days. Even if you have a practical job such as a trade, the chances are you’ll use digital technology for record-keeping or accounts. And jobs that include a large amount of fieldwork often include desk-based research and report-writing as well.
You will almost certainly use email, messaging apps and video conferencing platforms (like Zoom and Microsoft Teams) to communicate with colleagues and/or clients, especially in remote or hybrid working environments. If you have a job in data science, marketing, research, engineering or finance, you’ll probably use tools like spreadsheets (Excel, Google Sheets) to organize, analyse and present data. In other areas of work, you may use specialist software for design, accounting, project management or customer service.
In many roles – particularly in fields such as marketing, writing, science and even customer service – you’ll need to be able to use the internet efficiently and critically, so that you can find up-to-date, relevant and reliable sources of information. You may need to use an “AI companion” selectively and critically – ensuring the output is of the highest standard rather than letting your copilot do all the work for you!
You’ll also need to be cybersecurity aware. Being able to recognize and avoid online threats, like phishing scams or malware, is crucial in any job to protect both your personal and company information. You could get into big trouble if you are found to be responsible for a data breach! You’ll cover the basics of cybersecurity at school in computing/computer science, but you may also get training at work to bring you up to speed with relevant laws and best practices.
How to improve your digital skills
You don’t need to be a tech expert to improve your digital skills. With practice, commitment and the right resources, it’s easy for a digital native like you to develop the skills you need for school and work.
Here are some ideas if you want to improve in certain areas:
- Take online courses: There are many free (or cheap) courses available online to help you learn specific digital skills. Platforms like Coursera and LinkedIn Learning offer courses on everything from Excel to coding.
- Practice using software: Familiarise yourself with commonly used software tools – especially ones you don’t use in your day-to-day life – like Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, PowerPoint), Google Workspace, and even design tools like Canva.
- Stay up-to-date: Technology evolves quickly, so it’s important to keep learning. Follow tech blogs, subscribe to online tutorials, and watch YouTube videos to learn about new software or updates to existing tools.
- Learn about digital security: Understand how to protect your personal data online. Learn about strong passwords, two-factor authentication and how to recognize scams.
- Work on coding basics: Learning a bit of coding, like HTML or CSS, can be very helpful, especially for web development or digital marketing careers. There are lots of beginner-friendly tools and resources to get started – from Codecademy to YouTube.
- Use technology in daily life: The more you use technology in your personal life (for example, managing your pocket money or Saturday job earnings with apps), the more comfortable you’ll become with digital tools.
- Go desktop: You probably live on your smartphone, but at work you’ll most likely use a desktop PC. So familiarise yourself with using a computer. Why not try doing things you’d normally do on your smartphone on a PC instead?
It’s easy to take digital skills for granted when you’ve grown up surrounded by technology! But remember, many of your competitors will be in the same boat when it comes round to applying for jobs. If you really want to get ahead, consider a tech work experience placement.
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