Top 5 Surprising Technical Skills for Success
The workplace has changed dramatically with the rise of technology. While many people focus on learning software, the most essential technical skills are often overlooked. Our top five may surprise you—but mastering these will boost your success in school, work, and beyond.
1. Reading
Reading quickly and critically is a must-have skill in any technical field. Whether you’re reviewing reports, manuals, or documentation, strong reading skills help you absorb and act on information efficiently. Oregon State’s reading strategies are a great place to start.
2. Writing
Most workplace communication is written—emails, messages, reports—so clarity matters. Use tools like Grammarly or your word processor’s built-in grammar check to refine your writing. Strong writing earns respect and reduces miscommunication, especially if English isn’t your first language.
3. Speaking
Yes, speaking is a technical skill. Being able to clearly express your thoughts—whether in meetings, presentations, or casual chats—can set you apart. If you’re shy or non-vocal, focus on organizing your ideas in writing first. Want to improve? Take a public speaking course or learn by watching great speakers on TED and TEDx.
4. Emailing
Email is a powerful workplace tool—and often misused. Learn the basics like setting up your signature, scheduling meetings with video links, and using “Out of Office” messages. Mastering your email platform (Outlook, Gmail, etc.) shows professionalism and improves efficiency.
5. Basic Programming
Even in non-tech roles, understanding basic coding can give you a serious edge. We recommend starting with Python—it’s beginner-friendly and widely used. Try free courses like Khan Academy to get started. You don’t need to become an expert—just being able to “speak the language” is incredibly valuable.
Want to go deeper?
I often get asked about building skills like these. If you’d like to collaborate on a custom course for yourself or your team, check out your options below. And as always—enjoy your learning journey, one day at a time.
ILT for Technical Skills
If you or your company needs in-person instructor-led training (ILT) for specific technical skills, please contact me! I can help and am willing to travel within the continental United States.
Available Courses:
Excel Basics
$100 per hour per participant. If travel is required and is more than 30 minutes, additional fees will apply. I recommend 1 hour to cover the material below and 1 hour to answer questions/work on specific concerns. Sessions must be a minimum of 1 hour.
- Topics Covered:
- How to open excel and save files
- Naming, renaming, adding, and deleting sheets
- Basic formatting: titles, cell colors, text type
- Basic formulas (sum, count, average, etc.)
- Filtering and sorting
- Materials Required:
- Each participant must have their own laptop with internet connection and MS Excel downloaded and installed. Web versions of Excel are okay, but the desktop version of the application is preferred.
- The ability to display my laptop screen on a TV or projector is preferred, but not required.
- Access to Wifi for the instructor.
Excel Intermediate
$150 per hour per participant. If travel is required and is more than 30 minutes, additional fees will apply. I recommend 1 hour to cover the material below and 1 hour to answer questions/work on specific concerns. Sessions must be a minimum of 1 hour.
- Topics Covered:
- Pivot Tables: Basics
- Data Validation
- Charts
- Vlookup function
- Working with lists
- Intermediate Formulas: countif, sumif, etc.
- Materials Required:
- Each participant must have their own laptop with internet connection and MS Excel downloaded and installed. Web versions of Excel are okay, but the desktop version of the application is preferred.
- The ability to display my laptop screen on a TV or projector is preferred, but not required.
- Access to Wifi for the instructor.
Excel Advanced
- 1 hour per session = $200 per hour per participant. If travel is required and is more than 30 minutes, additional fees will apply. I recommend 1 hour to cover the material below and 1 hour to answer questions/work on specific concerns. Sessions must be a minimum of 1 hour.
- Topic
- Topics Covered:
- Pivot table: Intermediate
- VBA Basics
- Materials Required for the company/individual to provide:
- Each participant must have their own laptop with internet connection and MS Excel downloaded and installed. Web versions of Excel are okay, but the desktop version of the application is preferred.
- The ability to display my laptop screen on a TV or projector is preferred, but not required.
- Access to Wifi for the instructor.
- Topics Covered:
If you’d like to partner for one of these courses, please email me at onedayeducation@gmail.com.
VILT for Technical Skills
If you or your company needs virtual instructor-led training (VILT) for specific technical skills, please contact me! I can help and can support Zoom or Google Meet-based interactive webinars.
Available Courses:
Excel Basics
$100 per hour per participant. If travel is required and is more than 30 minutes, additional fees will apply. I recommend 1 hour to cover the material below and 1 hour to answer questions/work on specific concerns. Sessions must be a minimum of 1 hour.
- Topics Covered:
- How to open excel and save files
- Naming, renaming, adding, and deleting sheets
- Basic formatting: titles, cell colors, text type
- Basic formulas (sum, count, average, etc.)
- Filtering and sorting
- Materials Required:
- Each participant must have their own laptop with internet connection and MS Excel downloaded and installed. Web versions of Excel are okay, but the desktop version of the application is preferred.
- Each participant must have access to a video camera, audio device, a stable internet connection, and a Zoom or Google Meet account already set up.
Excel Intermediate
$150 per hour per participant. If travel is required and is more than 30 minutes, additional fees will apply. I recommend 1 hour to cover the material below and 1 hour to answer questions/work on specific concerns. Sessions must be a minimum of 1 hour.
- Topics Covered:
- Pivot Tables: Basics
- Data Validation
- Charts
- Vlookup function
- Working with lists
- Intermediate Formulas: countif, sumif, etc.
- Materials Required:
- Each participant must have their own laptop with internet connection and MS Excel downloaded and installed. Web versions of Excel are okay, but the desktop version of the application is preferred.
- Each participant must have access to a video camera, audio device, a stable internet connection, and a Zoom or Google Meet account already set up.
Excel Advanced
- 1 hour per session = $200 per hour per participant. If travel is required and is more than 30 minutes, additional fees will apply. I recommend 1 hour to cover the material below and 1 hour to answer questions/work on specific concerns. Sessions must be a minimum of 1 hour.
- Topic
- Topics Covered:
- Pivot table: Intermediate
- VBA Basics
- Materials Required for the company/individual to provide:
- Each participant must have their own laptop with internet connection and MS Excel downloaded and installed. Web versions of Excel are okay, but the desktop version of the application is preferred.
- Each participant must have access to a video camera, audio device, a stable internet connection, and a Zoom or Google Meet account already set up.
- Topics Covered:
One Day Education 