Nearly every role now runs on software, from electronic health records to warehouse scanners and project tools.
How to start building it
- Get comfortable with spreadsheets: formulas, sorting and simple charts
- Learn the main software used in your target field
- Practice touch typing and file organization
Careers that rely on computer skills
IT Support Specialist
Help people solve computer, account and network problems: the classic way into IT.
- Typical training: 3–6 months
Administrative Assistant
Keep offices organized: calendars, communication, documents and logistics.
- Typical training: Weeks to months
Data Entry Clerk
Type information into computer systems quickly and accurately.
- Typical training: A few weeks on the job
Office Clerk
Handle the everyday tasks that keep an office running.
- Typical training: A few weeks on the job
Computer Repair Technician
Fix computers, printers, ATMs and other office technology.
- Typical training: 3–12 months
Medical Administrative Assistant
Run the front office of a clinic or hospital unit: scheduling, check-in, insurance and records.
- Typical training: 3–12 months
Customer Service Representative
Help customers solve problems by phone, chat and email, and keep them coming back.
- Typical training: 2–6 weeks (paid training)
General and Operations Manager
Keep a business running day to day, from staff and budgets to results.
- Typical training: 5+ years of experience
Majors that build computer skills
- Nursing
- Medical Assisting
- Health Information Management
- Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences
- Business Administration
- Accounting
Training that builds computer skills
A self-paced online course on what office clerks do: duties, 15+ key terms, step-by-step tasks, tools, safety and how to launch the career.
Skills you build: typing, data entry, and filing
Why it fits: Computer skills is central to this job.
A self-paced online course on what administrative assistants do: duties, 15+ key terms, step-by-step tasks, tools, safety and how to launch the career.
Skills you build: microsoft 365 or Google Workspace, calendar and email management, and document formatting and spreadsheets
Why it fits: Computer skills is central to this job.
A self-paced online course on what medical administrative assistants do: duties, 15+ key terms, step-by-step tasks, tools, safety and how to launch the career.
Skills you build: patient scheduling, insurance eligibility verification, and electronic health records (EHR)
Why it fits: Computer skills is central to this job.
A self-paced online course on what IT support specialists do: duties, 15+ key terms, step-by-step tasks, tools, safety and how to launch the career.
Skills you build: windows and macOS troubleshooting, active Directory and Microsoft 365 administration, and networking basics (IP, DNS, DHCP)
Why it fits: Computer skills is central to this job.
A self-paced online course on what data entry clerks do: duties, 15+ key terms, step-by-step tasks, tools, safety and how to launch the career.
Skills you build: fast typing, 10-key, and data verification
Why it fits: Computer skills is central to this job.
A self-paced online course on what computer repair technicians do: duties, 15+ key terms, step-by-step tasks, tools, safety and how to launch the career.
Skills you build: hardware troubleshooting, operating system installation, and malware removal
Why it fits: Computer skills is central to this job.
Computer skills: frequently asked questions
Why are computer skills important?
Nearly every role now runs on software, from electronic health records to warehouse scanners and project tools.
How can I improve my computer skills?
Get comfortable with spreadsheets: formulas, sorting and simple charts. Learn the main software used in your target field. Practice touch typing and file organization.
Is computer skills a hard skill or a soft skill?
Computer skills is usually considered a hard or technical skill: it can be taught, practiced and shown through specific tasks, tools or certificates.
Which careers need computer skills?
Careers that rely on them include IT support specialist, administrative assistant, data entry clerk, office clerk, computer repair technician, medical administrative assistant, customer service representative, and general and operations manager.
Which college majors build computer skills?
Majors that list them among their core skills include Nursing, Medical Assisting, Health Information Management, Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Business Administration, and Accounting.
How do I show computer skills on a resume?
Give specific examples: a situation, what you did, the tools or methods you used and the result. Add related training, certificates or projects.
How long does it take to build computer skills?
You can learn the basics in weeks with focused study and practice. Strong skills come from using them regularly over months and years, on the job, in classes or in projects.
Can I learn computer skills online?
Yes, you can start online. Career Education Institute trainings that build them include Office Clerk Training, Administrative Assistant Training, and Medical Administrative Assistant Training. Practice with real tasks makes them stick.