Written by Lexie Barnwell

Learn how to use Microsoft programs, play the guitar, get started in game development, learn basic home ownership skills, plan for retirement and more through Montcalm Community College’s career development and personal enrichment courses.

Technology

Master advanced features and functions of Microsoft Excel 2016 in the course “Advanced Microsoft Excel.” You will learn how to use the data analysis tools, data tables and databases, PivotTables, custom controls, importing external data, and conditional formatting. This class is taught online by Ed2Go. It begins Oct. 13 at 8 a.m.  and runs for six weeks. The cost is $119.

“Intermediate Microsoft Word” will teach you to use the basic features of Word 2016 (now available through Office 365) to type, edit, format, spell check, and print professional-looking documents, letters, and reports. This class is taught online by Ed2Go. It begins Oct. 13 at 8 a.m. and runs for six weeks. The cost is $119.

Understand the basic features of Word 2016 (now available through Office 365) in the course “Introduction to Microsoft Word.” Learn to type, edit, format, spell check and print professional-looking documents, letters and reports. This class is taught online by Ed2Go. It begins Oct. 13 at 8 a.m. and runs for six weeks. The cost is $119.

Learn the basics of web design and how to build sites that are better and more effective in “Designing Effective Websites.” You will explore the website development process, how to organize information and review website design considerations. This class is taught online by Ed2Go. It begins Oct. 13 at 8 a.m. and runs for six weeks. The cost is $105.

In the Course “Achieving Top Search Engine Positions,” you will gain the knowledge you need to boost your website’s visibility. By the end of the course, you will have mastered proven, step-by-step SEO strategies that you can implement right away. This class is taught online by Ed2Go. It begins Oct. 13 at 8 a.m. and runs for six weeks. The cost is $105.

Some of the world’s most widely used software programs are part of the Microsoft Office suite. This course bundle, “Microsoft Office 2019/365,” will teach you how to use Word 2019, Excel 2019, and PowerPoint 2019, Office’s top business productivity programs. You will learn the basic features of each program and gain skills applicable to most professional settings. This class is taught online by Ed2Go. It begins Oct. 13 at 8 a.m. and runs for six weeks. The cost is $294.

“Introduction to Microsoft PowerPoint 2016” will teach you how to use Microsoft PowerPoint 2016 (now available through Office 365) to create professional-looking presentations using slide and layout masters that make global changes in a snap. This class is taught online by Ed2Go. It begins Oct. 13 at 8 a.m. and runs for six weeks. The cost is $119.

In “Introduction to Microsoft Excel” you will learn the basics of the program. Discover how to create worksheets, workbooks, charts, and graphs quickly and efficiently in Microsoft Excel 2016, now available through Office 365. This class is taught online by Ed2Go. It begins Oct. 13 at 8 a.m. and runs for six weeks. The cost is $119.

“Intermediate Microsoft Word” will teach you to use the basic features of Word 2016 (now available through Office 365) to type, edit, format, spell check, and print professional-looking documents, letters, and reports. This class is taught online by Ed2Go. It begins Oct. 13 at 8 a.m. and runs for six weeks. The cost is $119.

“Computers for Absolute Beginners” was created for novice and senior users. Learn to use computers, Windows, the Internet, email, and word processing. Explore buying things on the Internet in a safe manner, using social media accounts, and video streaming options. This course is on Wednesdays from Oct. 6-27 from 1:30 to 4:30 p.m. on MCC’s Greenville campus. The cost is $49.

Career

“Listen to Your Heart and Success Will Follow” will help you begin designing a life that really makes you happy. With a complete understanding of your own interests, values, needs and abilities, you will learn how you can use work to express yourself and share your interests and talents. This class is taught online by Ed2Go. It begins Oct. 13 at 8 a.m. and runs for six weeks. The cost is $90.

“Achieving Success with Difficult People” will teach you how to have more successful relationships with difficult bosses, co-workers, students, neighbors or relatives. This class is taught online by Ed2Go. It begins Oct. 13 at 8 a.m. and runs for six weeks. The cost is $105.

What are the secrets to managing successful teams in the workplace? Explore communication techniques and problem-solving skills that will help you get your team on track in no time in the course “Building Teams That Work.” This class is taught online by Ed2Go. It begins Oct. 13 at 8 a.m. and runs for six weeks. The cost is $105.

Design a life that makes you happy by understanding your own interests, values, needs and abilities and using that to help find your perfect job. The course “New Career Suite” will teach you how to create an effective resume or transform your current one into a powerful tool. This class is taught online by Ed2Go. It begins Oct. 13 at 8 a.m. and runs for six weeks. The cost is $279.

“Talent and Performance Management” will prepare you for a career as a Talent Management professional. You will learn key issues facing organizations and their ability to attract and retain top talent to compete in a global marketplace. This class is taught online by Ed2Go. It begins Oct. 13 at 8 a.m. and runs for six weeks. The cost is $105.

“How to Get Started in Game Development” will teach you the fundamentals of game development and get an overview of game genres, platforms, and audiences. You will learn tools and techniques to help you make better design decisions and achieve greater efficiencies as you develop your own games. This class is taught online by Ed2Go. It begins Oct. 13 at 8 a.m. and runs for six weeks. The cost is $105.

“Starting Your Own Business in Health and Healing Certificate” will guide you through the steps to building your own health-related business. You will explore the different options for creating your business and learn how to develop a successful business plan that reflects your vision and allows you to compete in your target market. This class is taught online by Ed2Go. It begins Oct. 13 at 8 a.m. and runs for six weeks. The cost is $56.

“How to Start a Business” is designed for individuals who are considering self-employment, or who may be at the beginning stages of starting a business. Delivered in a workshop format, this introductory session helps aspiring entrepreneurs assess their abilities to lead and manage a company, as well as evaluate market and sales potential for their products/services. This is a free online course on Oct. 6 from 6 to 8 p.m., but pre-registration is required.

Designed for individuals who want to increase their chances for successful self-employment, or business launch, “Writing a Business Plan” covers business planning in detail. Specifics of marketing, finance, legal, regulatory issues, operations, information-based planning, and management are key components of this workshop. This is a free online course taught by Marie Elliott on Oct. 20 from 6 to 8 p.m., but pre-registration is required.

The “Sources of Funding” workshop is designed for individuals who are seeking financing to start or grow their small business. Delivered in a workshop format, this session helps entrepreneurs understand the various sources of funding available, the requirements to obtain financing, credit scores and myths/facts about grants. This is a free online course taught by Marie Elliott on Oct. 27 from 6 to 8 p.m., but pre-registration is required.

Music/Art

 MCC’s Alumni & Friends Choir is a community and student non-audition choir that welcomes everyone, high school age and older, who has an interest in singing in a choral group. Rehearsals for the fall session begin Oct. 6. Choir members may attend any combination of Wednesday and Saturday rehearsals, but a minimum of six rehearsals is required. Practices are on Wednesdays, beginning Oct. 6, from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m., or on Saturdays, beginning Oct. 9,  from 10 a.m. to 12 noon. All rehearsals are in room G129 in the Stanley and Blanche Ash Technology and Learning Center (Ash TLC) on MCC’s Greenville campus. The cost is $15 per person and advance registration is required. The choir performs “Handel’s Messiah” on Dec. 5 at 3 p.m. at the Greenville High School Performing Arts Center.

“Introduction to Manga Cartooning & Illustration” will teach you the basics of drawing manga (Japanese-style comics). This class will help students get started with drawing fundamentals and introduce sequential art techniques. Students will create a short comic to develop understanding of character design, basic anatomy, posing and page layout. This course is taught by Sue Moss on Wednesdays Oct. 20 through Nov. 10 from 4:30 to 5:30 p.m. on MCC’s Greenville campus. The cost is $30.

Spend a Saturday celebrating fall and creating a painting at this one-day “Coffee and Canvas Workshop.” Participants will receive step-by-step directions to complete a 16 x 20 canvas. All supplies are included. This class is taught by Sue Moss on Oct. 23 from 9 a.m. to 12 noon on MCC’s Greenville campus. The cost is $30.

In “Creating Art in the Style of Art Nouveau,” participants will use the concept of design based on nature to create artwork based on the concepts of Art Nouveau. Think mixed media with a historical slant. Artists will need to bring their own supplies. This course is taught by Sue Moss Oct. 27 from 1 to 3 p.m. on MCC’s Greenville campus. The cost is $44.

Financial & Home Classes

“Make a Spending Plan Work for You” is a budgeting class that provides tools on how to manage financial resources and important documents, achieve financial goals and increase financial stability. This is a free online course on Oct. 7 from 10 to 11 a.m., but pre-registration is required.

Learn the basics of drills. Leave the workshops knowing what type of drill to buy and how to select the right drill bit. Also, learn safe usage of a drill. This course is taught by Drew Nielsen on Oct. 9 from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. on MCC’s Greenville campus. The cost is $25.

“Tips to Build and Protect Your Credit” will address credit myths, explain the importance of credit reports, demystify credit scores, and provide strategies to build and protect your credit while managing debt. This course is taught by Brenda Long on Oct. 14 from 10 to 11 a.m. It is a free online course, but pre-registration is required.

Learn how to repair and unclog a toilet in “Home Maintenance 101 Workshop: Toilets.” This course is taught by Drew Nielsen on Oct. 16 from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. on MCC’s Greenville campus. The cost is $25.

Learn how to repair holes before painting and effective painting techniques in “Home Maintenance 101 Workshop: Painting.” This course is taught by Drew Nielsen on Oct. 30 from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. on MCC’s Greenville Campus. The cost is $25.

“Mortgage 101” homeownership seminar from MSU (Michigan State University) Extension will provide you with valuable information about the home buying process, and will teach you things like the advantages of home ownership, steps in the home buying process, the importance of good credit and more. This is a free online course taught by Brenda Long on Oct. 21 from 10 to11 a.m., but pre-registration is required.

“Retirement Myths and Facts” will clarify common retirement myths and provide resources for additional information. Topics include how many years to plan for retirement, social security benefits, health care costs and more. This is a free online course taught by Brenda Long on Oct. 28 from 10 to 11 a.m., but pre-registration is required.

Miscellaneous

Discover how to homeschool your children in a way that ensures they get what they need both academically and socially in the course “Homeschool with Success.” This class is taught online by Ed2Go. It begins Oct. 13 at 8 a.m. and runs for six weeks. The cost is $90.

In “Discover Sign Language,” you will learn how to sign basic phrases and complete sentences and how to put it all together, allowing you to introduce yourself and start a conversation. Along the way, you will learn signs for colors, numbers, locations, family and the activities you like to do. This class is taught online by Ed2Go. It begins Oct. 13 at 8 a.m. and runs for six weeks. The cost is $90.

Learning how to help parents or other loved ones through their transition can prepare you for your own. In “Helping Elderly Parents” you will learn about tools, techniques and insights for this passage. This class is taught online by Ed2Go. It begins Oct. 13 at 8 a.m. and runs for six weeks. The cost is $90.

Tracing your family’s history is a fascinating journey. “Genealogy Basics” will help you understand the genealogy research process and how to interpret the information you find. This course guides you through the search process for family names using several subscription-based websites, which you can access while enrolled in this class. This class is taught online by Ed2Go. It begins Oct. 13 at 8 a.m. and runs for six weeks. The cost is $90.

Grow delicious, nutritious fruits and vegetables in your own backyard! In this course, “Start Your Own Edible Garden,” you will learn how to give your garden a healthy start and keep it growing strong all season. This class is taught online by Ed2Go. It begins Oct. 13 at 8 a.m. and runs for six weeks. The cost is $105.

Learn to play guitar and become the musician you have always wanted to be in this “Introduction to Guitar” course. In these fun and informative lessons, you will build basic guitar skills step-by-step with the help of hands-on exercises, audio and video recordings, and detailed illustrations. This class is taught online by Ed2Go. It begins Oct. 13 at 8 a.m. and runs for six weeks. The cost is $90.

“Speed Spanish” is designed for anyone who wants to learn Spanish quickly. You will learn six easy recipes for gluing Spanish words together to form sentences. In no time at all, you will be able to go into any Spanish speaking situation and converse in Spanish. This class is taught online by Ed2Go. It begins Oct. 13 at 8 a.m. and runs for six weeks. The cost is $105.

The “American Heart Association Heartsaver ® First Aid” course is for anyone with limited or no medical training who needs a course completion card in first aid. First aid basics, medical emergencies, injury emergencies and environmental emergencies are covered. The course is on Oct. 9 from 9 a.m. to 12 noon on MCC’s Greenville campus. The cost is $65.

Advance registration is required for all courses. Some courses may have a list of materials or a textbook required for each class. Visit montcalm.edu/career-development for course details or a link to register online or call MCC’s Greenville campus at 989-328-1012 for more information.