When I first joined the Digital Skills team as an intern, I thought I was just dipping my toes into something new for the summer. Fast forward two years, and I’ve been working as a Digital Skills Trainer, teaching Python, guiding students through the basics of programming, and helping demystify tech for people from all kinds of academic backgrounds. 

If you’re someone who’s curious about teaching digital skills or wondering what it’s like to work at the intersection of education and tech, I hope this gives you a glimpse into what the role looks like behind the scenes. 

Teaching Python wasn’t just about explaining loops and variables, it was about making the world of programming less intimidating. A big part of my job was figuring out how to break down complex ideas into simple, practical learning experiences, especially for people who didn’t see themselves as “techy.” 

I had the opportunity to experiment with a variety of teaching styles, from live classes and webinars, to creating self-paced learning materials for students and staff. I quickly learned that the way you explain something matters just as much as what you’re explaining. Using relatable metaphors, visuals, or just slowing down to walk someone through their first error message made a world of difference. 

Over two years, I’ve had dozens of memorable teaching moments; someone getting their first program to run, the spark in a student’s eyes when they understood a function, or the collective “aha” when a group finally completed a project together. 

Some personal highlights: 

• Redesigning the Intro to Programming course and refining it based on real student feedback 

• Developing a self-paced online course to help people who couldn’t make the live classes 

• Receiving feedback from students identifying what was going well and what could be improved 

Teaching tech comes with its hurdles, especially when working with diverse audiences who have varying levels of digital confidence. I had to get comfortable with: 

• Explaining the same concept multiple ways 

• Creating inclusive materials that didn’t assume prior knowledge 

• Encouraging learners to debug with curiosity, not frustration 

It taught me patience, empathy, and the importance of community-driven learning; where students support one another as much as they learn from me. 

One thing I’ve learned is that Python isn’t the end goal for most people. It’s the gateway to building confidence, exploring tech fields, or bringing ideas to life. Whether someone wanted to do data analysis, automate tasks, or just understand what their computer science friends were talking about, learning Python opened doors. 

My job was to keep that door wide open and welcoming. 

If you’re thinking about applying to this kind of role, here’s what I’d say: 

• Know your audience. You’ll often be teaching non-specialists so clarity, empathy, and adaptability matter more than sounding like a tech genius 

• Practice what you teach. Build small projects, keep your skills sharp, and let your enthusiasm show. It’s contagious 

• Be ready to learn. Whether it’s a new programming concept or a better way to teach arrays, you’ll grow just as much as your students do 

I’m proud to have contributed to a team that believes digital skills are for everyone, not just for coders or STEM students. I’ve worked with learners from history, art, business, and more. Every time, the goal was the same: empower people to feel confident navigating an increasingly digital world. 

Teaching Python was just one part of that journey. But it was a powerful one. 

Thanks for reading, and if you’re ever thinking of joining the Digital Skills team, I can wholeheartedly recommend it. You’ll learn, teach, and grow in ways you didn’t expect. 

Intern Reflection: My Journey as a Digital Skills Trainer / Digital Skills, Design and Training by is licensed under a