One idea I often hear is that digital tools make everything easier and more equal. While that sounds good in theory, I’ve learned that it’s not always true in practice. For example, many people assume that online platforms help everyone learn better, work faster, and stay more organized. But from what I’ve seen in my own classes and from talking with others, not everyone benefits the same way. Some students struggle with constant distractions or lack of internet access, which makes digital tools more frustrating than helpful. In a public speaking course I took, we talked about how digital communication can weaken connection and tone, which can be especially limiting in fields that rely on human emotion or context. That showed me that the success of digital tools really depends on who’s using them, and how they’re being used.
In other courses, like ethics and sociology, we also talked about fairness, bias, and access—especially when it comes to new technology. These lessons helped me realize that digital platforms aren’t neutral; they reflect the systems and values of the people who build them. That means if designers or companies don’t think about real-world challenges, like language barriers or income gaps, they may unintentionally leave people out. Even though digital systems are meant to solve problems, they can sometimes create new ones or make old ones worse. That’s why it’s important to look at digital ideas from more than one perspective—not just what works best, but what’s fair and sustainable. Critiquing technology doesn’t mean rejecting it—it means asking better questions about who it helps, who it harms, and how it can improve. That mindset is something I’ll carry with me into any Finance career I choose to go into.