Computer Literacy: Getting Ahead in the Marketplace
Gone are the days when people rely only on calculators for long and tedious computations, typing and retyping documents through typewriters and keeping them stored in large office cabinets. Notice that most office tasks, taking orders in restaurants, checking-in hotels, bank transactions, and other repetitive tasks are performed with the use of computers or electronic devices. Most of the work industries nowadays rely heavily on the use of computers on most of their tasks because it makes the turnaround time of work shorter and in effect increases workers’efficiency and productivity.
With the dominant presence of computers in most of the industries and varying institutions, it becomes a basic requirement for personnel and workers to be computer literate. Computer literacy covers not only the knowledge on how to use computers to perform basic tasks like operating software systems, platforms, and other computer programs commonly used in a workplace but it also includes how to perform basic troubleshooting and network d i agn osi s.
With the prevalent need to be computer literate, it is a must to develop and harness the following skills: 1)basic computer keyboarding skills; 2) maximizing the advantages of using search engines and social media; 3)learning productivity software like Microsoft Office or GSuite; 4) utilizing emails and other communication programs; 5)learning how to use software systems like Attendance, HR, Payroll Systems, Customer Systems Relations program and other company based software systems specifically designed for specific tasks; and 6)basic computer troubleshooting and network diagnosis. Having proficient knowledge of computers is your significant edge to stand out among other applicants looking for work. Having advanced knowledge is an advantage and makes your work application more competitive. Therefore, try your best to learn and acquire computer literacy skills while you are in school so that you will have a more competitive advantage when the time comes for you to apply for work.