Essential Skills
Developing and demonstrating essential skills are important whether you are looking to get a new job, improve job performance, or advance your career. With a vast selection to choose from, explore our options and add to your resume today!
Available Courses

- Type: Online, Instructor-Led
- Start Date: Feb 09 | Mar 16 | Apr 13 | May 18
- End Date: 6 Week Access
- Cost: $129
Do you manage large sets of numbers, names, dates, or other pieces of information? If so, then you need to create worksheets to manage, store, organize, and even analyze this information. Excel, Microsoft's powerful spreadsheet software, is the most widely-used program to handle this task. In fact, most workplaces require that new employees have a basic level of understanding of Microsoft Excel.
If you want to learn the 2019 version of Microsoft Excel, this course will introduce you to the program's basic functions and uses. Through hands-on lessons, you will learn numerous shortcuts to quickly and efficiently set up worksheets. You will also learn how to use the function wizard to calculate statistics, future values, and more. In addition, you will get tips on sorting and analyzing data, creating three-dimensional workbooks, and automating frequently-repeated tasks with macros and buttons. By the time you're done, you will know how to use this vital Office 2019 tool.
Chad Wambolt has spent his entire professional career in the finance field, working for both private and publicly-held companies with sales ranging from $500 million to $3 billion. He is a graduate of Boise State University, where he obtained his bachelor's degree in accounting. Through the course of his career, Wambolt became an expert user of Microsoft Excel. Since 1997, he has taught Excel to students of varying skill levels and helped organizations streamline internal processes.
- Lesson 1 - Excel Basics
- Lesson 2 - Creating a Worksheet
- Lesson 3 - Time-Savers
- Lesson 4 - Relative, Absolute, Mixed, and Circular References
- Lesson 5 - Three-Dimensional Workbooks
- Lesson 6 - Sorting, Subtotaling, and Filtering
- Lesson 7 - Charting Basics
- Lesson 8 - Advanced Charting Techniques
- Lesson 9 - Intro to Excel's Statistical Functions
- Lesson 10 - Financial Functions
- Lesson 11 - Worksheet Automation
- Lesson 12 - Mastering Excel's IF Function
Prerequisites:
There are no prerequisites to take this course.
Hardware Requirements:
This course must be taken on a PC. It is not suitable for Chromebook and Mac users.
Software Requirements:
- PC: Windows 10 or later.
- Browser: The latest version of Google Chrome or Mozilla Firefox are preferred. Microsoft Edge is also compatible.
- Microsoft Excel 2019 (desktop version), available to download with the desktop version of Microsoft 365, or Microsoft Office Home and Student 2019 (not included in enrollment).
- Note: The "Starter Version" and "Web App" versions of Microsoft will not work with the full version taught in this course.
- Adobe Acrobat Reader.
- Software must be installed and fully operational before the course begins.
Other:
Email capabilities and access to a personal email account.
Instructional Material Requirements:
The instructional materials required for this course are included in enrollment and will be available online.

- Type: Online, Instructor-Led
- Start Date: Feb 09 | Mar 16 | Apr 13 | May 18
- Cost: $324
Each course within the Microsoft Office 2019 Value Suite will introduce you to the basic features and functionality of Microsoft's 2019 software.
Introduction to Microsoft Word 2019/Office 365
Across all industries, the ability to create documents in a word processor is essential in day-to-day functions. The Introduction to Microsoft Word 2019/Office 365 course will teach you the basics of Word, so you can create, format, and organize professional-looking documents. By the time you're done with this hands-on course, you will be able to confidently use this popular word processing software at home or on the job.
Introduction to Microsoft Excel 2019/Office 365
Introduction to Microsoft Excel 2019/Office 365 includes new text and images based on the Excel 2019 update. You will learn a number of basic time-saving functions, including how to write basic formulas, design custom charts and graphs, and create three-dimensional workbooks. You will also be introduced Excel 2019's powerful charting capabilities like Quick Analysis and Flash Fill. When you finish the course, you will feel at ease creating worksheets and utilizing Excel's many features.
Introduction to Microsoft PowerPoint 2019/ Office 365
The Introduction to Microsoft PowerPoint 2019/Office 365 course will teach you how to use PowerPoint to create engaging, dynamic presentations. Each lesson includes instructional content, supplementary material, learning assessments, and an assignment to practice your newly acquired skills. With millions of PowerPoint presentations conducted daily, knowing how to effectively use this software is perfect for adding value to your professional profile.
Wallace Wang is the author of over 40 computer books including "Microsoft Office 2019 For Dummies." In addition to writing computer books, he has also co-authored "Breaking Into Acting for Dummies" and ghostwritten several books about investing in real estate, day trading stocks, and becoming an entrepreneur.
Chad Wambolt has spent his entire professional career in the finance field, working for both private and publicly-held companies with sales ranging from $500 million to $5 billion. Through the course of his career, Wambolt became an expert user of Microsoft Excel. Since 1997, he has taught Excel to students of varying skill levels and helped organizations streamline internal processes. He is a graduate of Boise State University, where he obtained his bachelor's degree in accounting.
Tracy Loffer holds a Master's degree in Education in Curriculum and Instruction. She has been involved in education for twenty years, as a music educator and technology trainer of students and teachers. She has also worked in the private sector as a trainer of domestic and international technology franchisees as well as a writer and developmental editor of educational technology materials using Office and Publisher.
1. Introduction to Microsoft Excel 2019/Office 365
- Excel Basics
- Creating a Worksheet
- Time-Savers
- Relative, Absolute, Mixed, and Circular References
- Three-Dimensional Workbooks
- Sorting, Subtotaling, and Filtering
- Charting Basics
- Advanced Charting Techniques
- Intro to Excel's Statistical Functions
- Financial Functions
- Worksheet Automation
- Mastering Excel's IF Function
2. Introduction to Microsoft PowerPoint 2019/Office 365
- The PowerPoint 2019 Interface
- Creating Presentations
- Working With Files and Creating and Editing Tables
- Creating Professional Presentations
- Working With the Images Group
- WordArt and the Illustrations Group
- All About Charts
- Making Global Changes to a Presentation
- Creating Links
- Applying Animation to Slides, Text, and Objects
- Adding Advanced Animation Effects to Text and Objects
- Sharing and Saving Your Presentations
3. Introduction to Microsoft Word 2019/Office 365
- Getting Started
- Typing and Navigation
- File Management
- Editing Text
- Working With Multiple Documents
- Text Formatting and Alignment
- Printing
- Margins, Tabs, and Page Numbering
- Paragraph Formatting
- Language Tools
- Customizing Word
- Making a Word Document Pretty and Organized
Prerequisites:
There are no prerequisites to complete these courses.
Hardware Requirements:
This course must be taken on a PC. Macs are not compatible.
Software Requirements:
- PC: Windows 10 or later.
- Browser: The latest version of Google Chrome or Mozilla Firefox are preferred. Microsoft Edge is also compatible.
- Adobe Acrobat Reader.
- Software must be installed and fully operational before the course begins.
- Microsoft Word, Excel, and PowerPoint 2019 (desktop versions) Available to download with a subscription to Microsoft 365, or with Microsoft Office Home and Student 2019. (not included in enrollment)
- Note: The "Starter Version" and "Web App" versions of Microsoft Word, Excel, and PowerPoint will not work with the full versions of the software taught in this course.
Other:
Email capabilities and access to a personal email account.
Instructional Material Requirements:
The instructional materials required for this course are included in enrollment and will be available online.

- Type: Online, Self-Paced
- Start Date: Open Enrollment
- End Date: 3 Month Access
- Cost: $79
- Credits: 0.3 IACET CEUs, 3 HRCI Credits, 3 SHRM PDCs
- Includes: Badge
Networking is an important skill at all stages of your career, whether you're searching for a job or looking to take the next steps in your industry. This course provides an overview of how to make effective professional connections and cultivate relationships that can help you over the course of your career. It explores networking challenges based on gender and personality type and provides practical tips for overcoming networking anxiety. It also helps identify potential resources that can be used to expand your professional network.
Learning Outcomes:
- Identify strategies for making professional connections
- Cultivate strong relationships at work
- Consider how to network over the course of a career
- Identify potential resources for networking
- Explain how to use business cards effectively
- Explore the importance of networking during the job search process
- Describe strategies for effective cold call emailing
- Examine networking strategies for introverts
- Consider the role that gender can play in networking
- Describe tips for handling awkward conversations
- Explore strategies for conquering networking anxiety
"I really enjoyed this class. I learned some new tips on how to properly network and cold call and cold email. This is information I can put to use right away. Thank you!"
What are the minimum technical requirements?
Software:
- Any modern Office suite: Microsoft Office, Apple iWork, OpenOffice, or LibreOffice
- The latest Adobe Reader/Acrobat Reader ( free download available at https://get.adobe.com/reader/ )
Web Browser:
- An updated version of one of the major modern browsers: Chrome, Edge, Firefox, Safari, or Internet Explorer 11
- Cookies must be enabled
- JavaScript must be enabled
Reliable internet connection:
Broadband cable or highspeed DSL is recommended for optimal experience.
Note: Some courses may have additional hardware and/or software requirements. Any additional requirements will be listed in the course description and course syllabus.
What is your refund policy?
You may request a refund up to 7 days from the purchase date. The registration fee will only be refunded if less than 10% of the course has been completed.
How do I contact technical support?
To report technical issues please email us at support@mindedge.com.
What are badges?
We now issue Badges, an online standard to recognize and verify learning, for more than 100 courses and simulations offered here online.
Badges allow students and professionals to publicly share their skills, knowledge, and accomplishments online, which may help with future career and education opportunities. Learners can manage and share badges across the web from their Badgr. (You can set up a free Badgr at https://badgr.com/.)
Learners who successfully complete their course or simulation will earn Badges. They can share their credentials online through social media and display them on resumes and transcripts.

- Type: Online, Self-Paced
- Start Date: Open Enrollment
- End Date: 3 Month Access
- Cost: $79
- Credits: 0.5 IACET CEUs, 5 SHRM PDCs
- Includes: Badge
This introductory-level course helps learners craft a resume that is targeted, elegant, and effective. It continues on to cover interviewing skills, focusing on the interview preparation and the five stages of the interview process. Finally, the course will help learners formulate winning answers to difficult interview questions.
Learning Outcomes:
- Recognize key career development questions to ask before beginning a job search
- Employ a written goal-setting process to establish career development and job search priorities
- Recognize the purpose of tailoring a resume and cover letter
- Develop a more effective resume
- Develop a more effective cover letter
- Identify the five stages of the interview process
- Conduct industry and company research efficiently using web-based resources
- Brainstorm potential interview questions and answers
- Understand what constitutes a good answer in the mind of a hiring manager
- Anticipate some of the most common interview questions
- Explain to a hiring manager how the past successes represented on your resume will translate to future success in your desired position
- Recognize whether a job aligns with your career objectives
"Very well organized, easy for navigating and moving along one step at a time!"
"The course was well put together."
What are the minimum technical requirements?
Software:
- Any modern Office suite: Microsoft Office, Apple iWork, OpenOffice, or LibreOffice
- The latest Adobe Reader/Acrobat Reader ( free download available at https://get.adobe.com/reader/ )
Web Browser:
- An updated version of one of the major modern browsers: Chrome, Edge, Firefox, Safari, or Internet Explorer 11
- Cookies must be enabled
- JavaScript must be enabled
- Reliable internet connection:
- Broadband cable or highspeed DSL is recommended for optimal experience.
Note: Some courses may have additional hardware and/or software requirements. Any additional requirements will be listed in the course description and course syllabus.
What is your refund policy?
You may request a refund up to 7 days from the purchase date. The registration fee will only be refunded if less than 10% of the course has been completed.
How do I contact technical support?
To report technical issues please email us at support@mindedge.com.
What are badges?
We now issue Badges, an online standard to recognize and verify learning, for more than 100 courses and simulations offered here online.
Badges allow students and professionals to publicly share their skills, knowledge, and accomplishments online, which may help with future career and education opportunities. Learners can manage and share badges across the web from their Badgr. (You can set up a free Badgr at https://badgr.com/.)
Learners who successfully complete their course or simulation will earn Badges. They can share their credentials online through social media and display them on resumes and transcripts.

- Type: Online, Self-Paced
- Start Date: Open Enrollment
- End Date: 3 Month Access
- Cost: $79
- Credits: 0.3 IACET CEUs
- Includes: Badge
The key to a productive workday at home is being prepared for all the technology needs that accompany work-from-home situations. Nothing is worse than a frozen Zoom meeting or a VPN connection issue! This course provides learners with the knowledge, tips, and practices to manage different devices and technologies at home. In addition, it provides practical guidance for purchasing products, contracting for services, and troubleshooting common issues so your day runs smoothly from anywhere in the world.
Learning Outcomes:
- Understand the basic concepts of home computing and networking
- Be empowered to make informed and effective choices regarding products and services
- Utilize different tools and resources to troubleshoot common computing problems
- Identify the key steps to having your own domain for web or email services
- Effectively identify and use cloud computing resources
- Identify common pitfalls and expenses in home technology
- Effectively secure home resources
What are the minimum technical requirements?
Software:
- Any modern Office suite: Microsoft Office, Apple iWork, OpenOffice, or LibreOffice
- The latest Adobe Reader/Acrobat Reader ( free download available at https://get.adobe.com/reader/ )
Web Browser:
- An updated version of one of the major modern browsers: Chrome, Edge, Firefox, Safari, or Internet Explorer 11
- Cookies must be enabled
- JavaScript must be enabled
- Reliable internet connection:
- Broadband cable or highspeed DSL is recommended for optimal experience.
Note: Some courses may have additional hardware and/or software requirements. Any additional requirements will be listed in the course description and course syllabus.
What is your refund policy?
You may request a refund up to 7 days from the purchase date. The registration fee will only be refunded if less than 10% of the course has been completed.
How do I contact technical support?
To report technical issues please email us at support@mindedge.com.
What are badges?
We now issue Badges, an online standard to recognize and verify learning, for more than 100 courses and simulations offered here online.
Badges allow students and professionals to publicly share their skills, knowledge, and accomplishments online, which may help with future career and education opportunities. Learners can manage and share badges across the web from their Badgr. (You can set up a free Badgr at https://badgr.com/.)
Learners who successfully complete their course or simulation will earn Badges. They can share their credentials online through social media and display them on resumes and transcripts.

- Type: Online, Self-Paced
- Start Date: Open Enrollment
- End Date: 3 Month Access
- Cost: $79
- Credits: 5 PMI PDUs, 4 Leadership PDUs, 1 Technical PM PDUs, 0.5 IACET CEUs, 5 HRCI Credits, 5 SHRM PDCs
- Includes: Badge
Communicating clearly and concisely in written formats like email, memos, and letters is very important in a workplace setting. Clearly communicating your thoughts, plans and proposals is a highly effective means to advance your ideas and earn the respect of your peers. This course will help you improve your use of these common business communication vehicles by providing best practices and effective tips and techniques.
Learning Outcomes:
- Recognize when it's appropriate to use an email, a memo, or a letter
- Explain the parts of an email, a memo, and a letter, and format each so that the communication is effective
- Consider primary and secondary uses for the email, memo, or letter
- Explain how to facilitate both primary and secondary uses
- Create a sample email, memo, and letter employing best practices
"This was a wonderful refresher course for those of us who have been in the business world for many years. I would highly recommend this to anyone coming into the workforce or those, like myself, who have been in it a while. It teaches you how to know when to use a letter, a memo, or an email when corresponding with various business associates. It also teaches you when to use and not to use certain salutations and, finally, the proper method of using PS (post script)."
"This course was very informational, and I learned way more than I thought I would. I went in thinking I knew how to write emails, memos, and letters, but I was willing to learn some new tips to make my writing better. I went through the course and found out there was a lot of information I was doing incorrectly and learned many ways to make my writing better!"
What are the minimum technical requirements?
Software:
- Any modern Office suite: Microsoft Office, Apple iWork, OpenOffice, or LibreOffice
- The latest Adobe Reader/Acrobat Reader ( free download available at https://get.adobe.com/reader/ )
Web Browser:
- An updated version of one of the major modern browsers: Chrome, Edge, Firefox, Safari, or Internet Explorer 11
- Cookies must be enabled
- JavaScript must be enabled
- Reliable internet connection:
- Broadband cable or highspeed DSL is recommended for optimal experience.
Note: Some courses may have additional hardware and/or software requirements. Any additional requirements will be listed in the course description and course syllabus.
What is your refund policy?
You may request a refund up to 7 days from the purchase date. The registration fee will only be refunded if less than 10% of the course has been completed.
How do I contact technical support?
To report technical issues please email us at support@mindedge.com.
What are badges?
We now issue Badges, an online standard to recognize and verify learning, for more than 100 courses and simulations offered here online.
Badges allow students and professionals to publicly share their skills, knowledge, and accomplishments online, which may help with future career and education opportunities. Learners can manage and share badges across the web from their Badgr. (You can set up a free Badgr at https://badgr.com/.)
Learners who successfully complete their course or simulation will earn Badges. They can share their credentials online through social media and display them on resumes and transcripts.

- Type: Online, Self-Paced
- Start Date: Open Enrollment
- End Date: 1 Year Access
- Cost: $299
- Credits: 25 PMI PDUs, 11 Leadership PDUs, 2 Strategic and Business Management PDUs, 12 Technical PM PDUs, 2.5 IACET CEUs, 25 HRCI Credits, 25 SHRM PDCs
- Includes: Certificate, Badge
Communicating clearly and concisely in written and oral formats is critical to your professional success. From clarifying and structuring your ideas to designing the PowerPoint slides that will best complement them, the techniques, interactive exercises, and checklists in this certificate program will help you create presentations and workplace documents that inform and persuade.
Courses Included in this Certificate
- Effective Business Writing
- Effective Presentations
- Effective Public Speaking
- Communicating Collaboratively
- Effective Emails, Memos, and Letters
"Great learning experience! I have become conscious of avoiding jargon! The presentations were clear and precise! Thank you!"
"This course provided useful information and exercises that aid in grasping key concepts while at the same time being able to apply what was learnt."
What are the minimum technical requirements?
Software:
- Any modern Office suite: Microsoft Office, Apple iWork, OpenOffice, or LibreOffice
- The latest Adobe Reader/Acrobat Reader ( free download available at https://get.adobe.com/reader/ )
Web Browser:
- An updated version of one of the major modern browsers: Chrome, Edge, Firefox, Safari, or Internet Explorer 11
- Cookies must be enabled
- JavaScript must be enabled
- Reliable internet connection:
- Broadband cable or highspeed DSL is recommended for optimal experience.
Note: Some courses may have additional hardware and/or software requirements. Any additional requirements will be listed in the course description and course syllabus.
What is your refund policy?
You may request a refund up to 7 days from the purchase date. The registration fee will only be refunded if less than 10% of the course has been completed.
How do I contact technical support?
To report technical issues please email us at support@mindedge.com.
What are badges?
We now issue Badges, an online standard to recognize and verify learning, for more than 100 courses and simulations offered here online.
Badges allow students and professionals to publicly share their skills, knowledge, and accomplishments online, which may help with future career and education opportunities. Learners can manage and share badges across the web from their Badgr. (You can set up a free Badgr at https://badgr.com/.)
Learners who successfully complete their course or simulation will earn Badges. They can share their credentials online through social media and display them on resumes and transcripts.
PROFESSIONAL AND
CONTINUING EDUCATION
Mon-Fri | 8 am-4:30 pm
Kenosha, WI 53144
The University of Wisconsin-Parkside is committed to providing access, equal opportunity, and reasonable accommodation in its services, program activities, education, and employment for individuals with disabilities. To request disability accommodations, contact Professional and Continuing Education at least eight weeks in advance at: 262-595-3340 (V), 262-595-2513 (FAX), or email continuing.ed@uwp.edu.