Preparing Your Tech for Graduation

Spring graduation is just a couple weeks away! For those preparing to bid farewell to Pitt, here are the tech items to wrap up before you toss that cap into the air, so you can seamlessly transition from Pitt to the future that awaits you:

Understand your alumni computing account, including the ability to keep using your Pitt email address after graduation.
 

Move any files you want to keep from Pitt accounts to a personal storage device or account. This includes files saved in:

• OneDrive — This will likely contain most of the files you need to back up. 
• Canvas — You can download course content (if enabled for a class) and all submitted course assignments.
• Adobe Creative Cloud — Transfer creative files saved in the storage that comes with a free Adobe Creative Cloud license through Pitt.
• LabArchives, Panopto, Zoom — Download personal recordings or notebooks.

Gather the contact info of professors, friends, and coworkers so you can easily ask for references and maintain personal and professional connections.

Update your LinkedIn profile to reflect your academic achievements, skills, and experiences, and link your profile with your LinkedIn Learning account. 

Transfer or obtain software licenses for apps you want to continue to use after graduation, such as Microsoft 365 or Adobe Creative Cloud.

Do a digital spring cleaning to declutter your computer of old files, apps, or media to free up storage capacity and improve performance. 

Finally, take a moment to celebrate your achievements! Take plenty of pictures of your final days at Pitt, and embrace the opportunities that lie ahead.

Feedback, Feedback, and More Feedback

Students are the reason the University of Pittsburgh exists, and we need your feedback to make the Pitt experience even better! As you wrap up this academic year, take these opportunities to give your honest feedback to help guide the future of Pitt.

• Pitt IT's 10-Year Horizon Survey (through April 30)
  Pitt IT is developing an IT 10-Year Horizon to serve as an aspirational guide and strategic roadmap in support of the Plan for Pitt 2028. Your voice is critical!  Take our survey before the end of the semester.   

• End of Term Teaching Surveys (though April 21)
  The University administers end-of-term student opinion of teaching surveys to help instructors design and teach effective courses. Survey links were sent to students via email, and survey links also appear on Canvas courses.

• 2024 Pitt Undergraduate SERU Survey (through June 14)
  The 2024 Student Experience in the Research University (SERU) undergraduate survey is an opportunity to provide feedback about your experiences at Pitt. Students who complete the survey are eligible for a chance to win one of four great prizes: iPad Mini, Sony Headphone, $100 Gift Card, or $200 Gift Card. Complete the survey.

Panther Bytes to Nibble On

Check out these bite-sized blogs about tech topics you should know. You can access all of our Panther Bytes blogs at any time from pi.tt/blog.

• Tech Tips for Acing Finals

• The Ultimate IT Graduation Checklist for Pitt

• Blog from Abroad: Capture Memories with Great Photos

• Do a Digital Spring Cleaning

• From Runners to Research with DocuSign

LinkedIn Learning: Bite-Sized Courses with a Big Impact

All Pitt students have access to LinkedIn Learning courses at no cost. Connect your Learning account with your LinkedIn profile, so potential employers can see the courses you've taken! Recent graduates will lose access at the end of the summer, so take the courses you need now! Some of the newest and most popular courses include:

• Learning Aerial Photography with Drones

• Setting Up Your Podcast for Long-Term Success

• Learning Bash Scripting

• Learning Wix

• Basics of Generative Artificial Intelligence

• SOLIDWORKS 2024 Essential Training