Learning Microsoft Excel in college

The best way to learn something (and remember it!) is to put it into practice. This past year at Cal State Fullerton, one course that I enrolled in was Information Systems and Decision Sciences. Basically a computer course, we learned how to operate Microsoft Excel and Microsoft Access. Being an Honors course, it was much more challenging than I first thought, but the results (besides a solid A) were amazing.
Having used Microsoft Excel for years in middle and high school, I assumed that I had learned all that I needed to know. Formulas, sheet setup, data editing, etc. But the course in college blew all of that out the door. To summarize, I never realized the potential of these programs. What it took was a good teacher and on my part a good attitude.

Half of the course was dedicated to Microsoft Excel: and pure operating techniques. Using Microsoft Excel 2010, I learned how to filter, freeze panes, protect a worksheet, operate 'what if analysis', insert headers and footers, customize charts and graphs, and use conditional formatting. Right after that class, I went to my computer and put it to constructive use.

It has always been a habit of mine to track my grades. I would take scores and assignment data and input it into an Excel worksheet. Setting up the formulas was the tricky part, especially if the class grade was on a weighted scale. But the skills I learned from Information Systems were indispensable. Not only did I calculate my college grades with a high degree of accuracy, I impressed both professors and students when I showed them what I had created.

Without professional tutoring, my knowledge of Excel would not have helped me during the school year. Every day I could have the reassurance of knowing exactly what grade I had. I could predict what to do for future assignments and understand in which courses a borderline B+/A- would appear.

For anyone else, a similar style of professional learning can be obtained with CDP's Excel Tutor. For myself, as a college student, or even as a business associate, understanding the program's potentials are a great foundation to a job and a career. Increase work effeciency by working smarter. The Excel Tutor can be that 'teacher' and lead you to a new level of understanding and success.

About Me...

My name is Michael "Mike" Coronel Jr, and I am the Vice-President of Product Development and Marketing at Coronel Data Processing (CDP). Currently, I am a sophomore Business Honors student at California State Fullerton. Working toward a Business degree and a minor in History, I am placing what I am learning into practice. New knowledge, in my opinion, combined with real life experience is the greatest teacher.

My degree's concentration is currently Marketing. Marketing knowledge used in the real world with real products and advertisement offer both myself and CDP valuable results. The theories that are provided to me in my education offer me an enhanced understanding of the business world. And as my education becomes more challenging, my learning will reach new boundaries that will give CDP great advantages in the future.

My specialty at CDP is to develop educational software that teach history. History itself, combined with the ever-growing technological world, can be taught in a variety of ways. One of those ways is electronically, using software. My products will include an extensive study of a certain time era, and present it in a concise, informative, and worthwhile format. History has always been my passion, and to study it and spread its value to other people is one of the main purposes of this blog and a major goal of my career.

About Us...

Coronel Data Processing (CDP) has been in the computer consulting/training business since 1994. We are based in the Rowland Heights-Diamond Bar area of Southern California, serving primarily the Los Angeles, Orange, San Bernardino, and Riverside Counties. CDP is made up of, and closely associated with, software and hardware experts who have practical experience with the industry’s rapidly changing technology. We recommend and install the latest products, and aid in the creation of tailored training programs, helping businesses and individuals utilize the capabilities of the technology they own to their maximum capabilities.

Our mission at Coronel Data Processing is simple: make educational and business solutions easy and fun for users at all levels. Too often, we have seen other consulting/training firms recommend solutions that are not appropriate for the specific client's needs or lacking in adequate information. We strive to make our software easy to use, straight to the point, and practical, targeting online users, offline users, and small businesses. Our services are backed by over seventeen years in business. As your technology partner, we believe in providing you with the best solutions possible!

- Michael Coronel, President of CDP