free online learning platform offers real-world challenges in software solutions.
subscribe to 卡塔尔世界杯常规比赛时间 podcasts anywhere: apple, google/youtube, spotify, iheart, deezer, amazon music, audible, player fm, audacy, rss.
know how korner
with donny shimamoto
center for accounting transformation
in a world where technology evolves at lightning speed, staying ahead of the curve is crucial for professionals in any field, especially accounting.
recognizing this need, a group of ambitious students from brigham young university has created techhub.training — a free online learning platform designed to help users from all skill levels master essential software tools and applications used in the accounting industry.
techhub was born out of a collaborative effort between students and their accounting professors, scott summers and david wood, who have a long history of integrating technology into the byu curriculum. the platform features a variety of challenges in tools like excel, alteryx, tableau, and python, tailored to simulate real-world business scenarios. according to nate jenkins, a student involved in the project, “techhub provides a perfect forum for us to share the knowledge we’ve gained and help others grow in their understanding of these essential tools.”
one of the standout features of techhub is its adaptability. the platform offers weekly and monthly challenges that cater to users at different levels of expertise—from beginners learning their first vlookup function in excel to advanced users tackling complex python scripts. these challenges are not just theoretical exercises but are designed to mirror real-life situations that accounting professionals encounter daily.
“one of the most satisfying parts as a professor is to let the students free and see all the creativity and things they come up with,” says summers. “it’s amazing what they can do when they’re given the opportunity.”
another unique aspect of techhub is its collaborative environment. unlike traditional learning platforms, techhub encourages users to post their solutions and interact with others, fostering a community of shared learning. as wood puts it, “we give the challenge and the data, and then say, ‘go attack it any way you want.’ if you get stuck, there are videos and other user solutions to help guide you.”
the platform also offers practical benefits beyond skill development. each completed challenge is linked to a user’s linkedin profile, allowing them to showcase their growing expertise to potential employers. this feature is particularly valuable for students and professionals looking to stand out in the competitive job market. “these challenges have been built for situations where you’re dropped into a job interview or an application process,” says klayton pippert, a student involved in the project. “we want to help you prepare for the real-world scenarios you’ll face.”
“what our challenges are—they’re really just challenges, and that’s what they are,” added andrew van slooten, another student involved in the project. “they’re designed to reflect what you would see in a business use case.”
techhub’s impact goes beyond the classroom. the project was driven by a desire to serve the broader community of accounting professionals. “our goal is to make the world a better place,” says wood. “and these students have done a great job of embracing that, learning, and then sharing their knowledge to help others.”
“if you go through the whole site and can’t find a single thing that we’ve put out that you don’t already know, then we’d love to have your expertise to help build the site out,” says jenkins.
top 8 takeaways
- tech hub is a free online learning platform designed by byu students to help users master software tools in the accounting industry.
- the platform offers challenges that simulate real-world business scenarios, making it highly relevant for both students and professionals.
- tech hub provides training in a variety of software tools, including excel, alteryx, tableau, python, and more.
- users can post their solutions, engage with others, and learn collaboratively, fostering a strong sense of community.
- the platform caters to users of all skill levels, from beginners to advanced professionals, with challenges tagged according to difficulty.
- completed challenges can be linked to users’ linkedin profiles, showcasing their skills to potential employers.
- new challenges are added regularly, with a goal of having more than 150 available by the end of the semester.
- firms can use tech hub challenges to assess the skills of potential hires, making it a valuable resource for recruitment.
