Microsoft Office Certificates Austin, TX

The many programs that make up Microsoft Office were originally broken up into separate apps in Microsoft’s early MS-DOS operating system. These included word processing and spreadsheet software. However, the debut of Windows in 1990 came with Microsoft Office, a combination of Word, Excel, and PowerPoint. Since then, Microsoft Office has become one of the most dominant and popular office software options, though Google Workspace has overtaken it.

Nevertheless, nearly 50% of the market still uses Microsoft Office daily in their work environment. In fact, while Google’s programs are slightly more popular these days by comparison, they essentially built on Microsoft’s innovations. In other words, Google’s spreadsheet, presentation, and word software are essentially modeled after Microsoft’s, which indicates just how important Office remains on the market today.

Over the years, Austin, Texas, has emerged as one of the biggest tech giants in the country, hosting many sprawling organizations and startups that look to transform the industry. Within these fields, people who understand programs like Microsoft Office remain in high demand. Simply put, the demand for employees with advanced skills extends to those who understand Microsoft Office’s many apps and how to use them in various professional settings.

In this article, we’ll discuss the nature of Microsoft Office, its unique history and impact, discuss skills you’ll master when studying this program, and the importance of certificates and certifications. Yes, you can get certified in Microsoft Office and doing so may take your career to a higher level. So, whether you live in Austin or want to relocate there to join the tech boom, this information can provide you with the insight you need to perfect your Office skills.

Why Become Certified in Microsoft Office?

These days, professional certifications provide job seekers with a higher authority level and make them more hirable. This point is particularly true for skills like Microsoft Office competency. After all, many people have worked with Office at some point in their lives, whether they were typing up exam papers or doing work reports. However, certificates and certifications show a higher mastery level that should impress potential employers and help you stand out.

Think of it from the employer’s perspective. Would you rather hire someone who has expert-level training in a skill or someone without that training? The answer is obvious. In fact, employers often look at the “Certifications” listing on a resume when pulling them for a job. For that reason alone, Microsoft Office certificate or certification will definitely give you an edge over others. It showcases your skills and your serious dedication to your career.

In fact, if you get Microsoft’s official certification, you’ll stand apart from other job hunters even more. This certification comes directly from the engineers and training experts at Microsoft. As a result, it provides industry-leading authority and trustworthiness. In other words, if you have an official Office certification from Microsoft, employers will definitely notice. That doesn’t mean you’ll automatically get hired, but it likely improves your chances immeasurably.

What You’ll Learn While Becoming Microsoft Office Certified

When getting Microsoft Office certified, you’ll learn a myriad of unique skills using multiple software types. In this section, we’ll break down the most popular Office apps, including the benefits they provide you. By understanding each of these options, you can choose a training course that makes more sense for you. Just as importantly, you can plan your education and better understand what kind of lessons you’re likely to experience.

Word

If you’ve ever used Microsoft Office, you’ve most likely used Microsoft Word. As the flagship Office product, it remains the most popular and in-demand software on the platform. While many competitors have released similar software or even open-source alternatives, Word receives continual upgrades and support from Microsoft that makes it a strong choice. The program itself provides a user-friendly design that most people should easily master quickly.

PowerPoint

Microsoft PowerPoint is a popular presentation software that lets you create slideshows with text, videos, graphs, and photos. As one of the first programs of its type, PowerPoint has become synonymous with office presentations. Mastering it can help you learn other, similar products. For example, Google Slides is very similar to PowerPoint. As a result, this software is something to master if you work in a busy office-based environment.

Teams

Microsoft Teams is a teamwork app that focuses on connecting you with remote employees around the world. For example, it includes text chatting, video calls, audio discussions, and even collaboration rooms. It’s a popular option for people who already use Microsoft Office and use many of the same concepts innovated by companies and products like Slack and Zoom. It also builds on the existing Office framework to ensure a smooth and efficient operation.

OneNote and OneDrive

Microsoft OneNote is a useful note-taking app that you can use during meetings, when collaborating on projects, and when sharing data with your team. It lets you handle things like project guidelines and schedules and even changes in products and services. Microsoft OneDrive is a cloud-based storage option that makes it easier to share information quickly and efficiently across multiple regions and with many employees.

Excel

Microsoft Excel innovated the ideas of digital spreadsheets and concepts like formulas, macros, data graphs, and more. Since its debut in Microsoft Office 1.0, it has used the same basic concepts but improved considerably with each new version. It’s likely most used in data management firms, though financial companies may also use it to track expenses. As a result, Excel is a diverse program well worth mastering in your certification program.

Microsoft Office Industries in Austin

Austin has one of the largest and most diverse markets in the country, many of which need people with Microsoft Office skills. These industries appeal to many different people, meaning a little research can help you choose a job path that makes sense for your skills. The following Austin fields all require people with Microsoft Office skills, and earning a certificate or certification should include many unique job paths suitable for you:

• Human Resources: If you’re interested in working for an Austin HR team, there are many employers in the Austin area. They typically need someone with good Microsoft Office skills who can understand Excel, PowerPoint, and Word. You may even use Teams to collaborate with your team when working remotely on various tasks.
• Finance: Austin serves as Texas’ finance hub, with many banks, lenders, and investment firms operating in the area. As you might imagine, mastering Microsoft Office can improve your career in these markets. Accountants and bankers may use Excel, in particular, when tracking customer financial data and Word when typing reports.
• Education: Austin has over 20 different higher education facilities that need people with Microsoft Skills. After all, you’ll likely have to use Word, Excel, and PowerPoint regularly to write reports, collect student information, and produce presentations. Other software, like OneDrive, may help with online homework sharing initiatives.
• Software Development: When you work for an Austin software development team, you may use Microsoft Office or other similar app suites for your day-to-day work. For example, Word can help you create pseudo-code before programming while Excel helps you track bugs and updates to your software during its development.
• Marketing: Despite its reputation as a tech hub, Austin also has many marketing teams that may hire people with strong Microsoft Office skills. As a marketer, you’ll likely type copy on Word or similar programs, track ad success in Excel, create presentations with PowerPoint, and even use OneNote to track your ideas as you work.

Microsoft Office Careers in Austin

The Austin markets mentioned above provide multiple career options that may appeal to you. These unique jobs include multiple roles that may require Microsoft Office. Each has a pretty strong earning potential with room for improvement based on your employer and your advancement. Just a few that you might want to consider include:

• Web Developer: As a Web Developer, you’ll use Microsoft Office when creating websites, designing ads, and sharing content with your team. In Austin, you can expect to make $58,000 to $80,000 or an average salary of $76,000.
• English Professor: In Austin, an English Professor can make a pretty wide range of salaries, from a low of $62,000 up to a high of $214,000 and a median of $98,000. You’ll likely use Microsoft Office regularly when teaching your courses.
• Software Engineer: If you want to become a Software Engineer, you’ll be excited to know you can earn between $64,000 and $90,000 in Austin. Office can help you share projects digitally with your team and even track bugs and fixes in Excel spreadsheets.
• Financial Analyst: Working as a Financial Analyst may require you to use Word programs like Excel, PowerPoint, Word, and even OneDrive. You’ll make between $56,000 and $73,000 in this career in Austin or an average of $65,000.
• Database Administrator: When working as a Database Administrator, Microsoft Office can help you track data properly and implement changes effectively. This job is high-earning in general and makes between $87,000 and $111,000 in Austin.

Should You Pursue a Certificate or Certification

A Microsoft Office certificate is something you earn after completing a beginner-level training program. It shows that you completed the class successfully and lets employers know that you understand Office well. You can put a training certificate on your resume, though it doesn’t have quite the same heft as a certification. Instead, it’s a powerful way to quickly master Microsoft Office and prepare yourself for a potential certification exam.

Now, let’s contrast that with a certification. A Microsoft Office cert is a professional-level title you earn after passing an intensive examination directly from Microsoft itself. It lets employers know that you fully understand Office and can use its programs in effective ways. Note that you don’t receive specialized training from the certification team before your test. Instead, you can use your educational experience (including your Office certificate) to prepare.

Top Microsoft Office Certificate Programs in Austin

Now that you understand the importance of Microsoft Office certification, let’s dive into a few of the best and most effective Microsoft Office certificate programs on the market today. These unique courses include classes from colleges and private facilities that make your experience more enjoyable. If you’re not ready for a full-time learning path, Noble Desktop includes several shorter and lower-cost options that provide an excellent primer to Office’s many programs.

Complete Microsoft Office Bootcamp

NYC Career Centers provides multiple personal and corporate training options for a variety of skills. These include classes covering finance, accounting, design, and Microsoft Office. Their online programs provide an innovative and effective way to master Office and other important tools. Complete Microsoft Office Bootcamp immerses you in 54 hours of training at just $1,725. That’s a pretty low price for a nine-day class that can potentially transform your life for the better.

In this course, you’ll learn how to handle basic Microsoft Office skills such as opening programs, starting new files, and changing your settings. Then, you’ll practice with software like Excel, Word, and PowerPoint to produce unique and engaging projects. If you’re someone who learns best by doing, this course is likely a good choice for you. Each day ends with practical projects that gauge your abilities and ensure that you master each step properly.

Office 365 Introduction

If you have basic Windows and Microsoft Office skills, this course may be an excellent choice for you. Provided by ONLC in Austin, Office 365 Introduction introduces you to this collaborative suite of apps to help you understand how to use them properly. You’ll practice with documents, mobility concepts, team collaboration, and communication skills, as well as learn how to use multiple apps. These include Word, OneDrive, Outlook, Planner, Forms, and Teams.

ONLC states that this class is one of their most popular, meaning that it’s often challenging to find a spot on the roster. As a result, it’s a good idea to plan ahead and book a course as soon as possible. Like a few other programs on this list, Office 365 Introduction lasts just one day but covers nearly seven hours of training. It also costs only $295, which makes it an affordable option for Austin residents looking to take their career to the next level.

Deluxe Data Analytics Track

Though this course by Skillspire focuses on preparing you for a data-related career, it also covers many Microsoft Office skills. That makes it an excellent option if you’re interested in data management, statistics, and even programming. Skillspire specifically creates its unique classes to suit immigrant and minority students. If you fall into either of these categories and want to master Microsoft Office and data management, this program may be a great choice for you.

In this 12-week course, you’ll spend 15 hours every week learning about introductory and advanced data analysis subjects. You’ll practice Excel, PowerPoint, Word, Python, SQL, Power BI, and many other skills. Though this course costs $4,999, it’s an excellent and comprehensive option that may work well for many people. We strongly suggest it if you’re ready for a data career but aren’t quite sure where to begin your educational journey.

Excel Bootcamp

Provided by Noble Desktop, Excel Bootcamp introduces you to the unique world of this innovative spreadsheet program. Noble Desktop may not have an Austin office for you to visit, but it provides a highly personalized online training experience that should help you master Microsoft Office quickly and efficiently. This innovative approach combines small class sizes with one-on-one mentoring and a live, online professor who can provide instant feedback.

Taking just 18 hours and costing only $549, this class provides a step-up from the previous one-day courses by immersing you in a three-day program. You’ll learn about spreadsheets, setting up your cells, creating pivot tables, balancing your macros, printing graphs, and producing effective data-sharing tools. This fascinating range of topics ends with a hands-on project that you create with the help of your excellent teacher who truly cares.

After you’re done, you earn a digital certificate you can share online with potential employers. In this way, Excel Bootcamp gives you the personalized support that you deserve and helps you transition into a fascinating and rewarding tech career. Make sure that you check out their other training options to see what is available. Their courses often include free setup support in case you don’t understand how to sync your computer up properly with the internet.