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Computer Programs All Students Should Know

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The Liberal Arts does not feed into a specific career; unlike engineer majors who become engineers, Liberal Arts majors can apply their skills and learning to a variety of jobs and fields like editing, music composition, teaching, human resources, etc. How then do Liberal Arts majors prepare for the workplace when there is no one place for them?


A great way to prepare is by mastering digital programs. Think of it like a toolbelt. The more programs you can competently use, the more attractive you seem to future employers. And you might end up with a job you never thought possible! For example, a BYU English major graduate landed a job in a start-up tech company where she handles finances, social media management, and secretarial duties, and she loves it! Her previous knowledge of computer systems and social media formats has enabled her to be successful in her job.

Let's go through some of the best and most basic programs to know in the digital world. Remember, you don't have to know how to use all of them, but mastering at least one or two of them can give you a leg up.

Microsoft Office
Most students already know how to use all the Microsoft Office programs because they've been using them throughout their college career. Important programs to know would be Microsoft Word, PowerPoint, and Excel. Being able to efficiently use Word will show employers your ability to create a beautiful document. Being able to competently use PowerPoint will show that you are able to communicate well. Excel shows you can work well with numbers and equations and have a strong attention to detail. It's often expected that you are proficient with Microsoft Office. Mentioning that you know Microsoft Office is like saying you can breathe air but it's never a bad idea to at least mention that you have the skill.

Google Drive
Understanding Google Drive is increasingly becoming an important skill, and yet it's very similar to Microsoft Office. If you know how to use Microsoft Word, Excel, and PowerPoint , then you know how to use Google Docs, Sheets, and Slides. Being able to navigate both Microsoft and Google programs will prepare you for whatever new workplace you find yourself a part of.

Adobe Suite
Another important program is Adobe Suite and its various extensions. Adobe Suite is a creative cloud that especially supports visual editing through programs such as InDesign, Photoshop, Illustrator, etc. Proficiency in Adobe Suite is less common than in Microsoft Office or Google Drive and this means it can be more impressive to an employer. Since these are less common skills, competency in them would show your ambition and ability to learn things you don't necessarily have to.

Social Media
Being able to use social media is a skill that any employer would consider an asset. Facebook, Instagram, Twitter and your ability to use these for marketing will prove your abilities in a modern and digital time. We talk about social media and using that knowledge to your advantage in another blog post.
https://digitalbookworms.blogspot.com/2020/03/social-media-and-future-employers.html

Others
A few other programs that would impress any employer, depending on the job, would be podcasting, or website and blog creation programs. For example: Anchor.fm or Wordpress.com. There are so many digital program skills to help you create an impressive resume. Good luck!

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