Learn More About Microsoft Office in New Jersey
Microsoft Office is a bundled suite of software designed to help professionals, students, and everyday users improve their efficiency and productivity when performing routine tasks. Microsoft Office was launched in 1988 by Bill Gates. At this time, it featured three applications: Microsoft PowerPoint, Word, and Excel. Since then, it has continued to evolve and transform the way professionals perform office-related tasks, including making presentations, creating spreadsheets, and writing various documents. Today, Office is mainly available through Microsoft 365, which is a subscription service. It has expanded to include other useful applications such as Microsoft OneDrive for cloud-based storage, Microsoft OneNote for note-taking tasks, Microsoft Teams for video conferencing, and Microsoft Outlook for email and coordination tasks.
Office remains a hugely popular tool around the globe for work-related and personal tasks. Today, more than 1.2 billion people worldwide use Office products. It remains a go-to for educational institutions and companies because of its adaptability across different operating systems, ease of use, and accessibility. In the US alone, more than a million companies and 345 million individuals use Microsoft 365. In 2022, the Microsoft suite generated an estimated $63 billion in revenue and commanded 48% of the market share.
What Can You Do with Office Training?
Because Office is used in virtually all sectors and in most educational settings, it has nearly endless uses. Office provides users with a range of tools and features designed to help them with a variety of organizational tasks:
- PowerPoint is the industry-standard tool for designing attention-grabbing presentations. Its features allow users to customize projects by creating charts and tables, customizing layouts, incorporating images, inserting shapes, layering objects, and modifying text.
- Outlook was designed to help with tasks such as organizing and configuring calendars, assisting with junk email and email functions, managing contact lists, and creating events and appointments.
- Excel is a widely used tool for performing calculations, creating charts and formulas, visualizing data findings, and formatting-related tasks.
-
Microsoft Word is the most popular word-processing application and is also the most used software worldwide. Its myriad features are designed to help users from all backgrounds create, edit, format, and print many types of documents. Word also has applications for customizing templates, creating hyperlinks, inserting images, and checking spelling.
- Teams is a teleconferencing platform that allows professionals, students, and others to communicate in real-time with people in different physical locations.
Office training is an excellent way to prepare for a range of career paths in nearly all sectors, including finance, journalism, data entry, marketing, and customer service. Not only can Office training open many professional doors, but it can also help you be a more effective communicator and productive employee in your current job.
What Will I Learn in an Office Class?
Learning to work with Microsoft Office’s range of productivity applications is a great way to become a more productive and valued employee across professions and sectors. If you’re interested in taking an Office course in New Jersey, you may wonder what to expect from your training. While all coursework differs in terms of the skills it covers, most programs will provide hands-on training in how to work with core apps like Excel, Word, PowerPoint, and Outlook, as well as how Office training, in general, can help you be a more effective communicator.
Excel
When enrolled in an Office class, instruction on how to use Excel is a staple skill. Students explore how to work with this spreadsheet app’s basic functions, data visualization capabilities, formatting shortcuts, and charts. More advanced coursework will also prepare participants to work with PivotTables, advanced automation, data calculations, advanced analytics tools, and how to create macros for automation.
Word
The ability to create professional documents is a core competency across sectors. Office coursework typically prepares learners to create structured, well-formatted documents using Word that can be used in many settings. Basic Word training includes how to create and save documents, format text, add citations, create tables, and work with different fonts. More advanced Word training options take these skills even further and prepare learners to design custom templates, work with advanced formatting, track changes, and use mail merge features.
PowerPoint
Most Office coursework also teaches students how to create eye-catching presentations using PowerPoint. This popular application has tools for creating tables, SmartArt, charts, and diagrams. Training often covers how to use slide layouts, custom themes, video content, and animations for use in small and large projects.
Outlook
Those enrolled in Office coursework will likely learn how to use Outlook for tasks like calendar and email management. Coursework covers basics such as how to manage contacts, schedule upcoming appointments, and automate basic tasks. More advanced training provides students with instruction on spam control, enhanced contact management, and account setup, which allows users to customize Outlook to their specific needs.
Clear Communication
Office training is an excellent way to become a more effective communicator through written and verbal correspondence. Learners who can create clearly worded documents like emails or memos in Word can work with features like spell-check to ensure the content they’re creating is clearly worded and accessible to audience members. Presentations made in PowerPoint are a great way to break down complex information in a manner that most people can understand and remember. Additionally, Teams, a teleconferencing application, was designed to help individuals in various locations connect in real-time with one another. Teams provides a way for coworkers to stay connected to one another when working on group projects, attend meetings remotely, and update clients on work-related progress.
How Hard is It to Learn Office?
Before you get started learning Microsoft Office, you may wonder if learning this robust family of applications will be difficult. Similar to any other skill, the challenges associated with learning Office depend on the individual’s prior knowledge and personal aptitude. Some learners may find that learning Excel is the most difficult aspect of working with Office. Others, though, will encounter more challenges using advanced PowerPoint or Word functions.
Another common difficulty learners encounter when studying Office is carving out the time necessary to learn and practice with these applications. Because there are more than 30 applications in Microsoft Office, some learners may not be certain which apps are most essential to learn and which aren’t as necessary. The answer will largely depend on the individual learner’s reasons for studying Office and how they wish to apply their skills. Generally speaking, most learners begin their Office studies by working with core apps like Word, Excel, and PowerPoint, then build on this foundational training. Those who only need to learn basics will require far less time than those interested in mastering Office’s advanced features for professional purposes.
What Are the Most Challenging Parts of Learning Office?
Although all learners differ in terms of the challenges they’ll face when learning Microsoft Office, most students will find it difficult to unlock each application’s advanced functions. These include PowerPoint’s animation and layering tools and Excel’s statistical analysis features. This is why most learners choose to focus on studying the basic functions of core applications like Excel, PowerPoint, and Word before tackling more advanced features.
How Long Does It Take to Learn Office?
The amount of time the average learner will take to learn Office depends on how many applications they wish to use, as well as the proficiency level they’re after. Coursework that teaches the basics of specific apps such as PowerPoint or Word typically only requires one day to complete. Those enrolled explore the app’s interface, its basic features, and the most common tasks it can assist with. More advanced training such as intermediate or advanced-level skills classes generally lasts only one day as well. Graduates of these courses leave with a solid understanding of how to work with a specific app and only need to invest an afternoon in their training. However, some learners will need to master more than core applications when studying Microsoft 365. Some individuals may need to learn Microsoft SharePoint, Exchange, or OneDrive. These may take several days to complete. For students hoping to become familiar with the entire Office 365 suite, a month or less of time is suggested for training. Learning each app’s advanced features and functions for professional use can take upwards of several months.
Should I Learn Office in Person or Online?
If you’re interested in studying Microsoft Office, you may wonder whether to enroll in an in-person class in New Jersey or opt for online instruction. Each type of study has its own benefits and drawbacks.
For students who thrive in the traditional classroom setting, in-person training is the most effective and engaging way to study Office. Students attend courses in a designated training facility in or near New Jersey. The computers have Microsoft 365 available and ready for students to use. Participants not only benefit from the in-the-moment support from the instructor, but also from the support of other learners who are studying alongside them. In-person training does require commuting to and from class for regularly scheduled meetings. For this reason, this training format can be prohibitive for those who live far from training centers or lack access to reliable transportation.
Live training is also available online in Microsoft Word. Students attend class using a teleconferencing platform like Zoom. Similar to in-person training, live online coursework is a great opportunity for learners at all levels to ask questions in the moment and receive immediate clarification. They can even opt to share their screen with the instructor (with permission) for additional assistance. Best of all, rather than having to battle rush-hour traffic or search for parking, all lessons can be completed remotely. Learners looking to study Office through live online training should keep in mind that they will need to carve out time to attend regularly scheduled classes. This training format can pose challenges for those who have busy work schedules or other commitments.
The most flexible alternative to live Office training is on-demand coursework. Unlike live classes that take place in real-time, on-demand lessons are pre-recorded and placed online, where students can access them as they wish. It’s up to each learner how long they want to spend on a particular lesson, where they want to pause, and when they want to rewind. In terms of cost, self-paced classes are generally a more cost-effective study approach than live training because no instructor is present. While cost is an incentive, students should keep in mind that on-demand coursework can pose challenges for some individuals since they will have to find answers to their own questions.
Can Learn Office Free Online?
If you’d like to study Microsoft Office but aren’t ready to invest hundreds or thousands of dollars in training, the good news is that many free online resources are available to assist:
- Noble Desktop, an educational provider in New York City, has a range of free seminars such as PowerPoint Presentation Design and Top 10 Beginner Excel Tricks You Need to Know. These seminars are a great way to explore the basics of these popular applications.
- Microsoft offers free tutorials intended to help those who are new to Office learn the basics of each core application.
- Podcasts are another free resource for learning Office. Some options include the “Microsoft Mechanics Podcast, ” “Office 365 Distilled, ” and “The Practical 365 Podcast.” Each of these podcasts informs listeners of new developments with Microsoft products.
- Blogs are another excellent way to learn Microsoft Office basics or follow any current changes to Microsoft products. Some popular Office blogs include “Microsoft Blog 365, ” “Collab365, ” “Content and Code, ” and “Practical 365.”
Although free online Office resources can be a great way to learn Office basics, these resources can only take most learners so far. In some instances, their scope is too broad to fully delve into a specific application or tool. In other instances, their specificity is limiting for audience members. Similarly, introductory-level videos rarely go into sufficient detail to fully break down how to create professional-level PowerPoint presentations or use Excel to analyze data. This is why those who want to learn Office for professional development purposes will likely need to enhance their learning with more structured, live coursework at some point.
What Should I Learn Alongside Office?
Because Microsoft Office training is useful in nearly every industry and professional role, this skill set is often a supplementary type of training to studying other topics such as project management or cybersecurity. Combining Office study with project management training is a great way for individuals to explore a career that involves managing projects. Project Managers are tasked with managing small or large projects from conception to completion. These professionals may wish to pursue Microsoft’s Office 365 certification so they can become a Teams Administrator Associate. This credential can help them more effectively manage how their team collaborates using Microsoft 365 apps like SharePoint and Teams.
There is also an Office 365 certification for those interested in a career in cybersecurity. Professionals who want to combine their Office training with their cybersecurity knowledge can explore certifications like the Security Administrator Associate or the Messaging Administrator Associate.
Industries That Use Office
Microsoft Office training is a useful skill set in many industries in New Jersey, including transportation and logistics, financial services, manufacturing, and nonprofits. Read on to find out more about the important role Office training plays in each of these sectors.
Transportation and Logistics
New Jersey is a US leader in logistics and transportation. The state is home to the largest port on the East Coast, as well as a world-class air transport systems laboratory and a heavily used rail network. In 2020, this sector accounted for nearly 13% of the private sector jobs in the state and generated $63 billion for the NJ economy. Those who have knowledge of Microsoft Office rely on several apps for routine work tasks. Word is a go-to for drafting letters and other written correspondence. Excel is a staple app for optimizing route planning, analyzing transportation performance, and forecasting the demand for transportation. Additionally, Outlook assists with scheduling-related tasks and email correspondence.
Financial Services
One of the most prominent industries in New Jersey is the financial services sector. This industry employs nearly 291,000 New Jersey residents and contributes almost $67 billion to the state economy. Since 2013, the financial sector has experienced a rapid growth rate of 14%, which is well above the national average. Due to its close proximity to New York City, the financial capital of the world, many financial organizations flock to New Jersey and take advantage of its world-class digital infrastructure and concentration of financial technology companies. Those who work in finance commonly work with Excel to organize and analyze financial information. This spreadsheet application’s capabilities allow those who work in finance to design complicated financial models and present their findings in a clear and concise manner.
Manufacturing
Approximately 236,000 people work in the New Jersey manufacturing sector, which represents 7% of the state’s workforce. In 2020, this sector contributed $54 billion to the state’s GDP and paid more than $20 billion in wages. Drawing from its prime location, New Jersey remains a great location for importing and exporting products. The state’s manufacturing sector comprises many industries such as medical, automotive, chemical, and pharmaceutical. New Jersey residents who work in manufacturing use Microsoft Office in various ways. This family of apps can assist with managing employee tasks and tracking their progress. Word is used to create approval requests, and Teams facilitates real-time video conferencing and file sharing.
Nonprofits
The nonprofit sector in New Jersey plays a crucial role in the state’s economy. There are more than 41,000 registered 501(c)(3)s in New Jersey. Approximately 10% of the state’s private sector workforce is employed in this sector. Additionally, 1.4 million volunteers work in the state’s nonprofit sector. Within this sector, Office training is useful because it can help those who work in nonprofits collaborate with team members, partners, donors, and volunteers. Outlook assists with scheduling and email tasks. Word is used to create and edit documents that will be shared with donors. Additionally, Excel is used to analyze and visualize fundraising data.
Office Job Titles and Salaries
Microsoft Office has many applications across New Jersey career paths. Read on to learn more about the daily tasks performed by Business Analysts, Administrative Assistants, and Desktop Publishers, and the salary rates for each role.
Business Analysts
Business Analysts are hired to help their organization review problems and devise data-backed solutions to address them. These individuals perform tasks like analyzing data, communicating with relevant stakeholders, documenting and presenting their data findings, and implementing solutions. Business Analysts in New Jersey make a yearly salary of approximately $120,000-$130,000.
Administrative Assistant
Administrative Assistants ensure administrative professionals stay organized and on task. They perform tasks like organizing meetings, scheduling appointments, answering phones, drafting and editing documents, filing, and managing essential business accounts. The average yearly salary for an Administrative Assistant in New Jersey is $49,000-$59,000.
Desktop Publisher
Desktop Publishers are hired to work with publishing software to create documents like financial reports, newspapers, and business proposals. These individuals must be well-versed in skills like formatting text and combining it with images and illustrations, incorporating charts into documents, and ensuring their final product is cohesive. New Jersey-based Desktop Publishers make approximately $66,000-$76,000 a year.
Office Classes Near Me
If you’re interested in learning Microsoft Office, you can use Noble Desktop’s Classes Near Me tool to search for Office classes in New Jersey. Coursework is available to learners at all levels.
Noble Desktop provides in-person and live online course options in New York City for those interested in exploring several popular Office applications. Its Complete Microsoft Office Bootcamp is intended to help students master the Microsoft Office suite. This intensive bootcamp provides instruction on three levels of Excel, two levels of Outlook, two levels of Word, and two levels of PowerPoint. Those enrolled become familiar with how to use PowerPoint to create professional-grade presentations that feature custom themes, animation, SmartArt, and tables. Learners explore how to use Outlook to automate tasks, control spam, manage contacts, and customize settings. The Word component of training teaches topics like text formatting, citations, and mail merge. In the Excel portion of this bootcamp, those enrolled learn how to work with PivotTables, macros, advanced analysis tools, and data visualizations.
Noble also offers an Excel Bootcamp. This comprehensive program spans several days and takes learners from Excel beginners up through intermediate and advanced training. Instruction is provided on basic functions and calculations, VLOOKUP and SUMIFS, PivotTables, macros, and INDEX and MATCH. All Noble classes include a free course retake for up to a year.
NYC Career Centers offers Microsoft Office Fundamentals Bootcamp for those who want to fully immerse in learning the basics of core Office applications. Those enrolled explore beginner-level Excel concepts, PowerPoint, Outlook, and Word. This program includes a free retake option for up to one year. Coursework is available in-person in NYC and live online.
Those who want to explore how to use Microsoft Word can do so in Certstaffix Training’s Word—Level 1. This beginner-friendly workshop teaches all the basics of working with this app, including how to create and edit documents, add graphics and diagrams, change text appearance, and customize options. Certstaffix also has Outlook—Level 1 for individuals who want to use this app to manage emails and contacts, perform calendaring tasks, and customize the interface. Both classes are taught live online. Students can complete their training remotely or use the computer lab in Bridgewater Township.
In NYIM Training’s Excel for Business Bootcamp, students receive comprehensive training on basic to advanced-level Excel techniques. Participants work with formulas, functions, macros, and VLOOKUP. They also summarize and analyze data using PivotTables and charts. By graduation, those enrolled will be able to perform a range of everyday business tasks using Excel. Students can take this class in-person in New York City or live online.
Office Corporate Training
Would some or all of the employees at your workplace in New Jersey benefit from studying one or more Microsoft Office applications? If so, Noble Desktop can help. Noble offers corporate and onsite Microsoft Office training options for those new to using a specific Office application, as well as those with prior experience and are hoping to take their skills further. Noble can come directly to your workplace in New Jersey or provide training virtually using Zoom. Training options are offered in Excel and PowerPoint. You can buy bulk vouchers at a discount for Noble’s regularly scheduled classes or customize coursework to ensure all employees get the most out of their training.
If you’d like to learn more about the corporate Office training options Noble can provide for your employees, please don’t hesitate to contact Noble today.