Automation is no longer a future concept; it is shaping the present and future of technology. From streamlining repetitive tasks to powering intelligent systems, automation is transforming how industries operate.
For college students preparing to enter the tech workforce, learning automation offers a significant competitive advantage. It not only enhances problem-solving skills but also improves career prospects in roles related to DevOps, cloud computing, and IT process automation.
What is Automation?
At its core, automation is the use of technology to perform tasks with minimal or no human intervention. It improves efficiency, reduces errors, and allows businesses to scale operations effectively. Automation today spans multiple domains, and understanding these early can set students apart.
Key Types of Automation
- IT Process Automation (ITPA): Focuses on automating routine IT operations and tasks.
- Robotic Process Automation (RPA): Targets rule-based, repetitive activities across software platforms.
- Workflow Automation: Applies to systems like emails, web forms, databases, and task management tools.
- Learning about these automation categories helps students identify where and how to implement them in real-world scenarios.
Why Should Students Study Automation?
In a tech-driven world, automation skills offer practical advantages for students. Whether you’re studying computer science, IT, or any related field, learning how to automate tasks will boost your capabilities and visibility to recruiters.
Benefits of Learning Automation
- Save Time: Automate routine tasks like data entry, attendance, file management, or notifications.
- Enhance Your Resume: Showcase real-world, problem-solving experience through automation projects.
- Future-Proof Your Career: Essential for roles in DevOps, cloud computing, system administration, and more.
- Students who invest time in learning automation early often find themselves ahead in internships and job placements.
Automation Tools You Can Begin With
Start with beginner-friendly tools that help you build your automation skills for college projects and real-world use cases. These platforms are widely used in the industry and offer great learning curves.
- Microsoft Power Automate: A no-code workflow automation tool perfect for automating Office 365 tasks.
- Au2mator: A self-service automation portal tailored for IT operations and service desk tasks.
- Python (with Selenium): Ideal for scripting custom automation solutions, especially for web testing.
- Zapier: Connects and automates tasks between apps like Gmail, Slack, Trello, and Google Sheets.
- GitHub Actions: Enables automation of development workflows, including build, test, and deployment.
How to Get Started With Automation
Getting started with automation doesn’t require deep coding expertise. Here’s a simple action plan for college students new to automation:
- Step 1: Learn the basics from platforms like Microsoft Learn or LinkedIn Learning.
- Step 2: Start a beginner project, such as sending email reminders or syncing tasks between apps.
- Step 3: Share your work on GitHub or LinkedIn to showcase your learning.
- Step 4: Earn relevant certifications like the Microsoft PL-900 Power Platform Fundamentals.
- Step 5: Join tech communities to stay updated and connect with other automation learners.
My Experience
I began my automation journey during college using Microsoft Power Automate. Gradually, I deployed complex workflows in real-world IT environments using Au2mator, which resulted in being awarded the Microsoft MVP title and getting involved in large-scale automation projects, even before graduating.
Automation caught my interest because it created a measurable impact, added value to IT operations, and sharpened my problem-solving mindset. My experience shows that automation is not only accessible but also transformative for students.
Name: Saivaraprasad Golla
College: Amrita Sai Institute Of Science And Technology, Krishna