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I am looking to get back into the job market as an administrative assistant. Most employers want skills using Microsoft Excel or PowerPoint. What is the best way to conquer these much needed skills? #2024.
I am an older adult going to college to achieve my dream of getting an Associates degree in Liberal Arts. After that, I plan to study psychology. My hobbies are reading and writing. I like to learn new things also.
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Michelle’s Answer
Hello, Darlene !
I am always happy to learn of returning students and applaud your plans ! I do have some advice for you that I hope can be something for consideration.
To learn Power Point and Excel, you can download the programs to your computer and get the feel for it. Read about it and use the instructions for the program for explanations of how to use it. I wouldn't suggest paying for classes to learn how to use them, rather I have left some Excel tutorials for you below from You Tube for you to watch about how to use Excel. It's not very difficult, by the way, and I think you'll catch on quickly.
The same advice is for Power Point which may seem a bit more involved, but once you get the hang of it and use it enough times, you will be more comfortable with it. I have left the link to Power Point Tutorials for you below. There's really no need to pay for classes to learn this or Excel as there are many guides online that you can access for free. Just like any other program, it takes practice and repetitive use to learn it.
I am so happy that you have the opportunity to go back to school for your degree. I sort of wanted to give some advice about the Associates Degree, just for consideration but do not give up anything you want to do. An Associates in Liberal Arts is not the best degree to have. You will get a taste of liberal arts through your required general ed courses as well as being able to take electives. The degree in Liberal Arts is a wonderful study path, however, when it comes to marketability in the workforce, it doesn't carry much weight because it is not focused enough and indicates no specific concentration of career preparation. Think about getting your Associates in Psychology or Sociology or something connected to the career subject you've mentioned. You can always take additional humanities classes online or in night school if it interests you, but I advise that a degree in Liberal Arts, even for an Associates Degree, doesn't carry much weight when it comes to competing for positions. Others may disagree with this, but education is an investment and I believe we should make the best of the investment for our future goals. It is your decision, however.
I hope that this is helpful and that it is also something to consider. I wish you all the best in planning your college enrollment and sharpening your work skills !
EXCEL TUTORIALS https://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=How+to+use+Excel
POWER POINT TUTORIALS https://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=Power+Point+Tutorials
WHY NOT TO MAJOR IN LIBERAL ARTS https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/why-liberal-arts-degrees-worthless-steven-waechter/
I am always happy to learn of returning students and applaud your plans ! I do have some advice for you that I hope can be something for consideration.
To learn Power Point and Excel, you can download the programs to your computer and get the feel for it. Read about it and use the instructions for the program for explanations of how to use it. I wouldn't suggest paying for classes to learn how to use them, rather I have left some Excel tutorials for you below from You Tube for you to watch about how to use Excel. It's not very difficult, by the way, and I think you'll catch on quickly.
The same advice is for Power Point which may seem a bit more involved, but once you get the hang of it and use it enough times, you will be more comfortable with it. I have left the link to Power Point Tutorials for you below. There's really no need to pay for classes to learn this or Excel as there are many guides online that you can access for free. Just like any other program, it takes practice and repetitive use to learn it.
I am so happy that you have the opportunity to go back to school for your degree. I sort of wanted to give some advice about the Associates Degree, just for consideration but do not give up anything you want to do. An Associates in Liberal Arts is not the best degree to have. You will get a taste of liberal arts through your required general ed courses as well as being able to take electives. The degree in Liberal Arts is a wonderful study path, however, when it comes to marketability in the workforce, it doesn't carry much weight because it is not focused enough and indicates no specific concentration of career preparation. Think about getting your Associates in Psychology or Sociology or something connected to the career subject you've mentioned. You can always take additional humanities classes online or in night school if it interests you, but I advise that a degree in Liberal Arts, even for an Associates Degree, doesn't carry much weight when it comes to competing for positions. Others may disagree with this, but education is an investment and I believe we should make the best of the investment for our future goals. It is your decision, however.
I hope that this is helpful and that it is also something to consider. I wish you all the best in planning your college enrollment and sharpening your work skills !
Michelle recommends the following next steps:
Updated
Patrick’s Answer
Darlene, it's important to remember that as a mature individual stepping back into the workforce as an administrative assistant, mastering Microsoft Excel and PowerPoint is key, considering their popularity among hiring managers. To truly grasp these vital software, consider signing up for structured online courses from respected platforms like Coursera, LinkedIn Learning, or Udemy. These can equip you with a robust foundation and advanced capabilities.
These courses typically feature hands-on exercises that simulate real-life situations, boosting your confidence in applying your newfound knowledge. Moreover, numerous community colleges and adult education programs provide face-to-face classes that can supplement your ongoing college coursework. As you're currently working towards an Associate's degree in Liberal Arts and have a keen interest in studying psychology, incorporating these technical skills into your academic journey can further solidify your understanding.
By tapping into your love for reading and writing, you may find it rewarding to delve into tutorials, become part of forums, and engage in discussion groups centered around Excel and PowerPoint. Here, you can share insights and advice with like-minded individuals. Your enthusiasm for acquiring new skills will undoubtedly be a significant advantage in swiftly adapting to and mastering these software, ultimately enhancing your appeal to potential employers.
These courses typically feature hands-on exercises that simulate real-life situations, boosting your confidence in applying your newfound knowledge. Moreover, numerous community colleges and adult education programs provide face-to-face classes that can supplement your ongoing college coursework. As you're currently working towards an Associate's degree in Liberal Arts and have a keen interest in studying psychology, incorporating these technical skills into your academic journey can further solidify your understanding.
By tapping into your love for reading and writing, you may find it rewarding to delve into tutorials, become part of forums, and engage in discussion groups centered around Excel and PowerPoint. Here, you can share insights and advice with like-minded individuals. Your enthusiasm for acquiring new skills will undoubtedly be a significant advantage in swiftly adapting to and mastering these software, ultimately enhancing your appeal to potential employers.
James Constantine Frangos
Consultant Dietitian & Software Developer since 1972 => Nutrition Education => Health & Longevity => Self-Actualization.
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James Constantine’s Answer
Hello Darlene,
CAN YOU DO APPLICATION PROGRAMMING INTERFACES?
THAT WOULD BE THE ANTS PANTS!
To effectively conquer the skills of Microsoft Excel and PowerPoint as an administrative assistant, there are several approaches you can take:
Online Courses: Websites like Coursera, edX, and LinkedIn Learning offer comprehensive courses on Microsoft Excel and PowerPoint. These courses are often self-paced and can be accessed from anywhere with an internet connection. They provide interactive lessons, quizzes, and projects to help you master the skills.
Community Colleges: Many community colleges offer continuing education programs that focus on Microsoft Office skills, including Excel and PowerPoint. These programs are often designed for adults who want to upgrade their skills or change careers. They may offer flexible schedules and affordable tuition.
Microsoft Office Training: Microsoft offers free training resources for its Office suite, including Excel and PowerPoint. You can access these resources on the Microsoft website or through the Office software itself. They include tutorials, videos, and interactive exercises to help you learn at your own pace.
Books: There are numerous books available that focus specifically on Microsoft Excel and PowerPoint. These books can be found at your local library or purchased online from retailers like Amazon. They provide in-depth instruction on various topics and allow you to learn at your own pace.
Practice: The best way to master any skill is through practice. Try to find opportunities to use Excel and PowerPoint in your daily life or volunteer work. You can also create practice files or projects to hone your skills.
Networking: Connecting with other professionals in your field can help you learn new skills and stay up-to-date on industry trends. Consider joining professional organizations or attending industry events to expand your network and learn from others in the field of administrative assistance.**
Authoritative References Used: Microsoft (n.d.). Free training resources for Office 365 subscribers [Online]. Retrieved from https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/office/free-training-resources-for-office-365-subscribers-0b8cb79a-1f2f-4e71-8d95-e7fbd8d6b03e Coursera (n.d.). Microsoft Excel [Online]. Retrieved from https://www.coursera.org/courses?query=microsoft%20excel LinkedIn Learning (n.d.). Microsoft Excel [Online]. Retrieved from https://www.linkedinlearning.com/learn/microsoft-excel?position=1&pageNum=0
God Bless You, Richly, JC.
CAN YOU DO APPLICATION PROGRAMMING INTERFACES?
THAT WOULD BE THE ANTS PANTS!
To effectively conquer the skills of Microsoft Excel and PowerPoint as an administrative assistant, there are several approaches you can take:
Online Courses: Websites like Coursera, edX, and LinkedIn Learning offer comprehensive courses on Microsoft Excel and PowerPoint. These courses are often self-paced and can be accessed from anywhere with an internet connection. They provide interactive lessons, quizzes, and projects to help you master the skills.
Community Colleges: Many community colleges offer continuing education programs that focus on Microsoft Office skills, including Excel and PowerPoint. These programs are often designed for adults who want to upgrade their skills or change careers. They may offer flexible schedules and affordable tuition.
Microsoft Office Training: Microsoft offers free training resources for its Office suite, including Excel and PowerPoint. You can access these resources on the Microsoft website or through the Office software itself. They include tutorials, videos, and interactive exercises to help you learn at your own pace.
Books: There are numerous books available that focus specifically on Microsoft Excel and PowerPoint. These books can be found at your local library or purchased online from retailers like Amazon. They provide in-depth instruction on various topics and allow you to learn at your own pace.
Practice: The best way to master any skill is through practice. Try to find opportunities to use Excel and PowerPoint in your daily life or volunteer work. You can also create practice files or projects to hone your skills.
Networking: Connecting with other professionals in your field can help you learn new skills and stay up-to-date on industry trends. Consider joining professional organizations or attending industry events to expand your network and learn from others in the field of administrative assistance.**
Authoritative References Used: Microsoft (n.d.). Free training resources for Office 365 subscribers [Online]. Retrieved from https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/office/free-training-resources-for-office-365-subscribers-0b8cb79a-1f2f-4e71-8d95-e7fbd8d6b03e Coursera (n.d.). Microsoft Excel [Online]. Retrieved from https://www.coursera.org/courses?query=microsoft%20excel LinkedIn Learning (n.d.). Microsoft Excel [Online]. Retrieved from https://www.linkedinlearning.com/learn/microsoft-excel?position=1&pageNum=0
God Bless You, Richly, JC.
Updated
Sharon’s Answer
In addition to the excellent suggestions previously mentioned, I'd like to motivate you with the reassurance that there's always a method to discover our solutions through investigation. More often than not, there are instructive videos available on Youtube, detailed, easy-to-follow guides on Google, and a plethora of other resources that can guide you based on the platforms that our company might use.
Updated
James’s Answer
Hey there! Usually, when I stumble upon a tricky situation with the Office suite, my go-to solution is just to look it up online! For instance, the other day, I wanted to give each row a different color but wasn't sure how to go about it. All you need to do is type in the product and your goal into a search engine, and voila! You'll find the answers you need. Follow the instructions step by step, and you'll master the task in no time. The more you practice this, the better you'll get at it. Best of luck to you!
Updated
BRITTNEY’s Answer
Hello Darlene!
I trust this message reaches you in good spirits!
To make the challenging task easier, your nearby community colleges provide resources for every stage (beginner, intermediate, advanced). These resources will help you build confidence and proficiency in this skill!
Pull up local Community College in your area.
Search for Continuing Education.
Browse through the options.
Select Microsoft Word / Office Suite.
Attend the class(es), receive hands-on help and voila!
I trust this message reaches you in good spirits!
To make the challenging task easier, your nearby community colleges provide resources for every stage (beginner, intermediate, advanced). These resources will help you build confidence and proficiency in this skill!
BRITTNEY recommends the following next steps: