Discover how basic tech know-how can shape your future, no matter your profession.
In a small office in Jeddah, 23-year-old Danish never imagined learning Excel would lead him to a new career path. He wasn’t a computer geek. In fact, he barely knew how to attach a file to an email. But six months into a free online IT course, Omar now manages data as Documents Controller for a Construction company—and earns double his old salary.
That’s the power of IT.
We All Work in Tech Now
Whether you’re a teacher, business owner, accountant, or artist—your work is connected to technology. Emails, websites, digital payments, customer support systems—they all run on IT. It’s no longer a department. It’s the backbone of how the world works.
Knowing basic tools like spreadsheets, cloud storage, password security, or how to navigate a user dashboard is the new literacy. You don’t need to become a coder. But you do need to understand how the system works.
The Top 5 Skills You Should Learn Today
1. Digital Communication – Emails, Slack, Teams. Writing clear messages and collaborating online.
2. Data Literacy – Reading reports, understanding dashboards, using Excel or Google Sheets.
3. Cybersecurity Basics – Protecting your passwords, avoiding scams, using 2FA.
4. Cloud Tools – Google Drive, OneDrive, Dropbox – organizing and sharing safely.
5. Problem Solving with Tech – Finding apps, using shortcuts, and automating tasks.
Even small improvements in these areas make a big difference.
Careers in IT: Not Just for Engineers
You don’t have to be a software developer to work in tech. The IT world includes roles like:
Tech Support
Data Analyst
UI/UX Designer
Digital Marketer
System Administrator
Each of these requires a unique skill set—and many can be learned online, often for free.
The Saudi Advantage: A Digital Vision
Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030 places technology at the center of its future. Investments in smart cities, e-governance, and tech startups are creating thousands of jobs.
The government is supporting tech education through platforms like Future Skills and the Digital Saudi initiative. This means if you’re in the Kingdom, there’s never been a better time to level up your IT game.
The Mindset Shift: From User to Creator
Most people use tech daily—but only a few understand it. The real magic happens when you stop just using apps and start creating solutions.
It might be as simple as building a website for your business, designing a Canva post, or organizing your work with Notion. Every small tech skill adds up.
Closing Thought
You don’t need to wait for permission to start learning. Free platforms like Coursera, YouTube, and Khan Academy are full of simple tutorials. Give yourself 20 minutes a day. The results will show within weeks.
Stay ahead, stay skilled—follow The Riyadh Journal for weekly insights on how tech can transform your life.
