For part of our computer science class that I took sophomore year (and I am terrible at computers and technology in general) we had to go through a computer training course to get our a+ certification. I hadn't really known before what that was, but it actually came in handy when I was writing my resume and showing it around at the career fair last semester.

It turns out that any CBT (computer based training) course or certification shows great initiative and is really appreciated in the career world. I walked around and talked to a lot of different contacts and networked a little and showed off my resume and even though my major really isn't computer based (pharmacy) it does involve the daily use of a computer and a mistake using one in this field could actually be life threatening. So a lot of the employers were impressed with my experience.

Also, I think that it isn't just experience that employers are looking for in potential employees. When I was at the career fair a lot of them talked about the fact that I (as well as other people) took the initiative to do more and try to learn more on my own (I also had a lot of volunteer experiences outside of school and the computer certification). Because people try so hard to get a job, but once they have it they often just sit back and relax after the first few months. I have a part time job working at the computer labs at school and I took an optional class that was offered on a weekend to help improve general computer knowledge. It showed that even though I had the job (and obviously wouldn't be punished if I didn't go or rewarded if I did) I still took the opportunity to learn more about computers in general and how I could help if someone was in the lab when I was working or during my shift and needed help with something. It shows that I didn't just slack off once I had it and that I knew I had to keep working. Employers look for people who will continue to go above and beyond not only when they are being hired but also after and to keep doing it throughout the time that they are with the company.