ASUU Strike: Top Nine Digital Skills To Learn As a Student
With the recurring union strikes, every Nigerian student should probably have a set-out plan of what they will do if one of the unions strikes.
The recent lack of consensus between the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) and the Federal Government of Nigeria has currently put academic activities on hold in Nigerian universities.
Consequently, students are left with a lot of time, and an option of acquiring skills that in an actual sense are pivotal to solving societal problems.
Prominent among these skills are digital skills which have now become very essential as a result of technological advancements in the 21st century. While some of these digital skills have lost some relevance due to rapid changes in technology, many are still in top demand and new ones are emerging.
Digital Skills are defined as the skills needed to use digital devices (computers and smartphones), communication applications and networks to access and manage information.
This post exposes you to the top nine digital skills you should acquire as a student in 2022 and beyond to get equipped to solve societal problems using tech.
1. Basic Computing
This involves the ability to use:
• Word processing packages like Microsoft Word, Google docs, etc.
• Spreadsheet packages like Microsoft Excel, Google sheets, etc.
• Presentation packages like Microsoft PowerPoint, Google slides, etc.
It also involves the ability to use the internet and social media to access information and also manage them.
2. Graphics Design
The basic computing skill forms the foundation for graphic design. It involves the use of computer application software to present information using graphic images (i.e flyers, logos, posters, letterheads, billboards, infographics etc.)
Examples of graphic design software —Coreldraw, Inkscape, Adobe Photoshop, GIMP, Canva, etc.
3. Content Creation
This involves the creation of information through blogging, graphics design, video presentations, audio podcasts, infographics design and so on.
Content writing involves the creation of text content to educate or entertain readers. It may drive sales as well, but that’s not its primary purpose. With content writing, you want to educate or entertain readers by creating high-quality and valuable content.
Social media serves as a good platform for content creation. A typical example is YouTube for video presentations.
4. Computer Coding
This is a digital skill that makes automation of business processes possible. Coding jobs are required in business organisations, technology companies, educational institutions, security agencies, etc.
Computer coding skill has become vital in today’s technology-driven world. Programmers create, fix, and maintain the software and operating systems that all computer systems rely on, from desktop PCs to smartphones, laptops, and other mobile devices. These professionals test programs for bugs, fix any errors that may pop up in code lines, and write updates for existing programs.
As a result, computer programmers are needed for everything from web design to mobile apps design to video games, etc. There are plenty of career opportunities available to anyone experienced in this field. It’s an ideal choice for those with a strong background in mathematics and the ability to work with the sequential, logical processes that computers depend on.
5. Digital Marketing
This is a type of marketing that uses the Internet and online-based technologies to promote goods and services. Platforms for digital marketing include Blogs, Emails and Social Media.
Many businesses seek the service of digital marketers for large-scale promotions of their products and services. This is a top-demanding skill today that has given rise to many advertising agencies. As long as people will like to promote one thing or another, the services of a digital marketer will continue to be in demand.
6. Copywriting
This simply involves the use of catchy advertisement/marketing statements to increase sales of products and services.
It is the process of writing persuasive marketing/sales-driven materials that influence people to take some form of action, such as making a purchase, clicking on a link, donating to a cause, or scheduling a consultation.
These materials can include written promotions that are published in print or online. They can also include spoken materials, such as scripts used for videos or businesses.
The text in these materials is known as “copy,” hence the name “copywriting.”
If you are good at writing, with some flare in marketing, copywriting is a good digital skill to learn now. While learning copywriting, you will be trained on how to use catchy words to grab people’s attention to a particular product or service.
7. Data Science
This involves the collection, evaluation and processing of data for the smooth running of an organisation. As data continues to increase, a data scientist will have to learn and use sophisticated software for managing big data.
8. UI/UX Design
UI denotes User Interface while UX denotes User Experience. They are both used interchangeably but are different. With these skills, Designers help businesses make their software, websites or mobile apps attractive and easy to use by their clients.
9. Blockchain Technology
This is the foundational and fundamental support for cryptocurrency and digital currency. Blockchain Technologists/developers help create secure digital transactions by creating systems to record and store blockchain data in a way that prevents changes and hacks. They are responsible for the overall design of blockchain systems, the creation of smart contracts and web apps.
