On Saturday, I had the honor of walking across the stage and turning my tassel, officially becoming a Pitt alumna. I’ve been reflecting on the last four years at Pitt. As a Pitt IT student blogger, I’ve especially thought about all the tech tools that I really loved … and wish I’d taken full advantage of a lot sooner. If you still have semesters ahead, take this as your cue to explore Pitt’s tech offerings earlier than I did. Trust me — your future self will thank you.

1. Use LinkedIn Learning

Did you know Pitt students get free access to LinkedIn Learning? Because I didn’t until junior year. Whether you want to master Excel, learn to code, or brush up on Adobe Creative Suite, there’s a course for that. I even used it to prep for job interviews and boost my resume with skills that weren’t covered in my classes. It’s a low-pressure, high-reward resource I wish I’d had on my radar earlier.

2. Explore ALL of Microsoft 365

Word, Excel, PowerPoint are no-brainers. The real game-changers? Planner, Teams, and OneNote. I started using them during my senior capstone, and it completely changed how I organized my life. You get free access through your Pitt account, and the apps sync across all your devices. Seriously, try OneNote if you’re tired of scrolling through 50 Google Docs with vague names.

3. Visit Drop-In Support for In-Person Help

Drop-In Support at the University Store on Fifth and on the ground floor of Cathy has real humans who can help you on the spot. I finally visited it this year, and they fixed my issue in under 10 minutes. Turns out, I could have gone there during freshman orientation, and they’d have completely set up my phone and laptop. If only I’d known! I’d have saved myself so many headaches.

4. Use the Technology Help Desk for Every Tech Question

I didn’t realize until senior year how helpful the Technology Help Desk (412-624-HELP) really was. Available 24/7, they can handle way more issues than service outages and login troubles. Turns out they can help with questions about any University-supported service. How do I save a LinkedIn Learning course I want to take later? How do I add footnotes to a research paper? I’ve called them about everything from Duo login issues to using my favorite software. Highly underrated resource!

5. Get Free Software

We need a lot of apps for classes and side projects. Why did I (almost) spend so much money on software I can get for free through Pitt IT?! From Adobe Creative Cloud and MATLAB, to NVivo and SPSS, there’s a good chance Pitt offers a free student license for it. Check software.pitt.edu before you buy anything! I also used the Computing Labs for software I only needed for one project, so I didn’t have to load it onto my laptop. But that was a pain once I moved off-campus. Turns out I could have been using it through the Virtual Computing Lab, which you can connect to from anywhere at any time. Oops!

6. Consider Cybersecurity Before You Get Scammed

Early on, I clicked a link from a “Pitt professor” and almost gave away my login info. That’s when I learned the importance of paying attention to cybersecurity. Pitt IT requires that you take cybersecurity awareness training. I rolled my eyes about it at first, but it actually made me feel a lot safer. I wish I’d paid more attention to those email warnings and Tech Tips sooner.

7. Back Up Your Files Before You Lose Something Important 

After losing a paper I spent hours writing, I started using OneDrive for everything Pitt-related. You get 5 TB of storage for free. It auto-saves everything and syncs across devices. Whether it’s a resume, portfolio, or assignment, back up your files before disaster strikes! Now, I only store files locally on my device if I know I’ll be going someplace without internet.

8. Explore the Computing Labs Around Campus 

Lugging my laptop everywhere was exhausting, especially during midterms. I didn’t realize how many Student Computing Labs were available around campus—and how quiet and well-equipped they were. Some are open 24/7, and they have everything from scanners, printers, and specialty software, to comfy chairs and fewer distractions. A hidden gem, for sure.

9. Use Pitt Print From Off-Campus 

The Pitt Print system was a lifesaver once I moved off campus. Being able to upload a file from my phone or laptop, send it to be printed, and then pick it up at any print station on my way to class? Game-changer. I don’t print much, but when I do, Pitt Print is so convenient.

10. Use the Pitt Mobile App 

Freshman me didn’t realize that the Pitt Mobile App had live bus tracking, dining hall menus, course schedules, tech support links, and even building hours. It’s basically a one-stop shop, and I only started using it this past year. Don’t sleep on the app—it’s genuinely useful. While you’re there, get the Duo app, the Canvas app, the PeopleSoft app, etc. from the Pitt App Center.

Learn From My Mistakes

Whether you’re just starting your journey at Pitt or halfway through, it’s never too late to explore Pitt’s tech resources. They’re here to help you succeed, stay safe, and maybe even land that dream internship. Take it from a graduating senior: check out technology.pitt.edu, ask questions, and don’t be afraid to try something new. Your future self will thank you!

Best of luck, Panthers!
Haree Lim (Class of ‘25)