Happy fall Panthers! My name is Grace Brignola, and I am a rising Junior studying Marketing and Business Information Systems here at Pitt. I serve as a Tech Ambassador for the University, which gives me the opportunity and privilege to train and promote all our technology resources to current students.

This summer I had the pleasure of interning for Subaru in their Customer Advocacy department. This opportunity was so rewarding and I would not be here without learning the various software and technology resources we have available to us as students. Whether you worked an internship or job, took some summer classes, or relaxed this summer, now is the prime time to develop important technology skills to set you apart when it’s time to get a great position. 

Microsoft Reigns

At Subaru, as well as other jobs I have had, I used the Microsoft 365 suite every day. While Google Sheets/Docs/Slides are great, the reality is that Microsoft is the leading software used in most companies. Having a strong Excel foundation allowed me to work as effectively as possible on several intern projects. Microsoft Teams was also a crucial platform to understand during my internship, as all my meetings and team communication took place there. I was so thankful to have utilized Teams heavily at Pitt through my work with the Tech Ambassadors, or I would have had a much harder time getting up to speed. Having used Microsoft heavily at Pitt, I was fully prepared to tackle the tasks assigned to me at Subaru.

Get Good at Microsoft

All Pitt students have full access to the Microsoft 365 suite, and you should take advantage of this perk. Even if you prefer Google apps, you need to take the time to get proficient at the main Microsoft apps.

Did you know that you can obtain official Microsoft certifications across many of their technical tools, like Azure, Dynamics, Power Platform, security fundamental, and Microsoft 365 administration? These certifications are costly for most people, but Pitt students get 50% off using their Pitt email address. These will not only will teach you in important Microsoft skills for use in a technical position, but you can put this on your resume and portfolio to prove you are extra prepared for any experience that comes your way. Find more about Microsoft Certifications.  

The More You Know… LinkedIn Learning

Another resource you should be sure to utilize throughout your Pitt career is LinkedIn Learning. Looking for more skills and certifications to add to your skillset and resume? This is the place for you! With a simple sign-in process, LinkedIn Learning is a highly-credentialed collection of on-demand courses and learning paths in many career-advancing subjects. It’s great for pursuing your own personal interests, from guitar lessons to photography skills. But the opportunity to learn skills employers are really seeking is the main reason to take advantage of LinkedIn Learning during your time at Pitt.

My internship had us do several trainings through LinkedIn Learning, and I was the only one who already had access to this service. In addition, I had completed many online courses that helped set me apart, such as project management and Microsoft 365 learning path certificates. Using LinkedIn Learning in the workplace really helped me appreciate how valuable this perk is and how rare it is as a student to already have access it and be able to add courses to my portfolio.

Adobe Creative Cloud

One of the things I used LinkedIn Learning for was to learn more about Adobe apps. Pitt students have full access to Adobe Creative Cloud through Pitt. Adobe is a great resource for your personal and professional creative journey. I have learned that some basic video editing, photo editing, design, and web skills are used by far more than creative professions. Understanding the advanced features of Adobe Acrobat Pro is important in most business environments. You can request an Adobe Creative Cloud license at accounts.pitt.edu.  

Get Known with NameCoach

Last but not least is NameCoach. It may seem odd to choose a service for recording the pronunciation of your name as a technology I found useful for my internship. But your name is an important part of your identity, and it’s really useful to ensure that your professors and peers can address you the way you want. NameCoach is an easy way to promote inclusion and avoid awkward mispronunciations in an increasingly diverse workforce. So as the school year begins, record your name in NameCoach and include a link to the recording in your email signature, so others feel comfortable addressing you from the first conversation.

Get Ready to Tackle Tech this Fall

Throughout your time at Pitt, I hope you have an opportunity to utilize some of these services to enhance your education and career readiness. Soak up the sun while you can. Pitt IT and the Tech Ambassadors look forward to seeing you this fall. 

-- By Grace Brignola, Pitt IT Tech Ambassador