In a technology driven society, knowledge about the latest computer software can give you the edge over others in the job market.

Recently, the Wakerly Technology Training Center in Johnston Hall began offering workshops to teach students, staff members and the public how to work popular software like Final Cut Pro and the Adobe Creative Suite 5 programs, which include Photoshop, Illustrator, InDesign and Dreamweaver.

This is a great educational opportunity for Marquette students and faculty members.

Sarah Gizzi, the student manager of the Wakerly Center and a senior in the College of Communication, said these courses could make a difference for students when applying for jobs in the future.

“Nowadays, it’s almost expected for you to know these Adobe products,” she said. “It’s that something extra on your resume that puts you ahead of the person sitting next to you.”

But the Marquette program should be made more accessible and practical.

According to the Wakerly Center’s website, courses for students cost $50 each, as opposed to the $200 charge for the general public. Most of the courses, with the exception of Final Cut Pro, are taught for 16 hours over a two-day period.

Though this is a discounted price, many students do not have the money to spend on classes beyond those included in tuition. Even though the cost goes toward purchasing books, other equipment needed for the classes and the certification, $50 per course can still seem pricey for unemployed or part-time working college students.

Normally, Final Cut Pro and the Adobe Creative Suites can cost upwards of $500 each. Having these programs available for use in the Wakerly is a great advantage. However, students should have opportunities to learn these programs, even if they are unable to pay $50 for each individual class.

The university spends thousands of dollars in order to make these programs available to students on campus, but how valuable are they if only a small minority of people know how to utilize them efficiently?

The Wakerly has student volunteers who are available and knowledgeable about its equipment and can help anyone who needs assistance. The volunteers, Einsteins as they’re called, are familiar with the Adobe and Final Cut Pro programs, could be an alternative to the courses available now.

Many students may be wary of spending eight hours straight on a computer during each of the two days required to complete the class. The Einsteins could teach classes that are less time consuming and can better fit into students’ schedules.

Who wants to spend their entire Friday or Saturday in a computer lab? Possibly spreading out the courses over a two-week or month-long period could encourage more students to pay and attend.

It would also be beneficial to offer students a one-time, free trial of the class.

This would allow students the opportunity to learn the basics of the program, and then decide if it’s what they need or want to learn. In order to continue with the classes, the student would then have to pay the fee.

A free, one-time trial teaching the basics would allow novices to more easily comprehend the material.

If we have this powerful software on our computers begging to be taken advantage of, students should have every opportunity to learn how to use it.