I work at the interface between the education and social sectors, collaborating closely with children and their families. My responsibilities include building cooperation networks, planning service structures, and maintaining communication with families and partner organizations.

The Five Most Important Digital Tools in My Work

Microsoft Office 365

From the Office suite, I use Outlook and Teams most frequently for communication. Teams is also widely used in our work community and studies as a shared file repository. It’s convenient that we can work on joint documents in real time without needing to save multiple versions—someone always ends up with the wrong version otherwise.

I use Forms to create surveys, which I’ve used to develop operations and collaboration. Forms offers many ready-made templates, but you can also create your own. The tool provides summaries and statistics that are useful for evaluation and planning. The same survey can be reused later to assess whether the desired changes have taken place.

I’ve used Visio to visually map out plans and processes—sometimes a picture really is worth a thousand words. I’ve also practiced using Canva for visual design. Canva is great for creating attractive materials like advertisements and CVs. However, the free version is limited, and I know many organizations have opted for the paid version.

Word, PowerPoint, and Excel are essential tools in both my studies and work. I use them routinely for word processing, creating presentations, and managing spreadsheets. In my personal life, I use Excel to track my finances—although, of course, I can also monitor my cash flow through my banking app.

Banking Application

The banking app is a vital tool in everyday life. I use it not only for financial management but also for identity verification when accessing many government services—although this method is no longer considered the most secure. A more robust alternative would be the Mobile Certificate, a paid service offered by some mobile operators.

Social Media in Professional Use

Social media could be a valuable tool in my work for networking, sharing expertise, and making everyday work more visible. It can also provide useful content related to workplace well-being. Platforms like LinkedIn, Instagram, TikTok, Snapchat, YouTube, and Pinterest can all be used to share insights from daily work or promote the work community. They also serve as marketing tools for the field and can help attract new professionals.

LinkedIn is especially relevant for professional networking and staying updated on industry trends. Sharing expertise on the platform can also contribute to the success and development of other work communities. Platforms like TikTok, Snapchat, and YouTube can be used to promote well-being at work—for example, by sharing content related to relaxation or stretching during breaks.

Risks of Social Media

While social media offers many opportunities in working life, it also comes with downsides. These platforms are highly interactive and can be addictive. Constant notifications and the temptation to check apps during short breaks can lead to poor concentration and increased workload. Even coffee breaks can become longer due to engaging content.
Another risk associated with social media is the blurring of boundaries between work and personal life. This increases the risk of data protection breaches and raises ethical concerns. If your social media profile includes the name of your employer or the organization you work for, you are representing not only yourself but also your employer.
Many workplaces have established guidelines for employees regarding the use of social media. It is also wise for work communities to agree on who is responsible for posting on behalf of the organization and how frequently posts should be made. Social media can be a valuable tool for work communities, but its use should be carefully planned and managed.

Reflection

While working on this topic, I was pleased to realize that I am familiar with many social media platforms, even though I no longer use all of them—either professionally or personally. The use of social media varies depending on the work community; in youth work, for example, online engagement is an integral part of the job, and social media is used more extensively than in many other fields.

Microsoft Office 365 offers a wide range of applications for planning, organizing, and training. I believe that some of its tools function similarly to other applications for which organizations may have purchased separate licenses. The world of digital tools is vast and constantly evolving, making it challenging for anyone to keep up with all the changes.