SEMO Graduate Earns Second Place Nationally in Microsoft Office Specialist Competition

Julia Schieferdecker, a May 2026 graduate from Litchfield, Illinois, competed against students from across the country in the Microsoft Word category after discovering a passion for mastering Microsoft applications through a certification course at SEMO. She earned a Bachelor of Science in mathematics and statistics with a minor in economics and will begin her career this summer as a credit analyst with Midwest Regional Bank in St. Louis.

"I had a knack for Excel prior to the class, but I was able to learn how Microsoft Office programs work and became very proficient in all of them," Schieferdecker said. "Winning second place was what finally made me take a step back and think, 'OK, I might be kind of good at this.'"

Schieferdecker initially enrolled in MI101 during her final semester at SEMO and completed a Microsoft Office certification as part of the course. While she already had experience with Excel, the course introduced her to the full capabilities of Microsoft Office programs and encouraged her to continue developing her skills.

Preparing for the competition required extensive practice using the GMetrix preparation platform, where she completed practice exams and explored the features of Microsoft Word in detail.

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"The GMetrix program became my best friend," Schieferdecker said. "I have taken every single test and review that I could - multiple times. I let my curiosity take over and I just covered every inch of the program, left no stone unturned."

Faculty support helped Schieferdecker prepare for the competition and complete multiple Microsoft certifications. She credited Dr. Lori Mueller for helping her navigate six Microsoft exams in less than a month and Dr. Sally Carter for working with her to schedule and proctor each exam.

"Collect every grain of knowledge you can and take advantage of discounted certifications and test prep services," Schieferdecker said. "You never know where something like this can take you."

The experience also provided Schieferdecker with a valuable skill set as she transitioned into her professional career. Through connections made at SEMO's career fair, she accepted a position as a credit analyst with Midwest Regional Bank, where she will combine her banking experience with the analytical skills developed through her mathematics and statistics coursework.

"I'm very excited to learn more about commercial credit and lending and to combine my prior banking experience with what I learned while getting my degree," Schieferdecker said.

Southeast Missouri State University provides students with opportunities to build career-ready skills through certifications, hands-on learning and connections with employers. Experiences like Schieferdecker's demonstrate how students can turn curiosity and initiative into professional opportunities.

Visit semo.edu/apply to learn how SEMO helps students develop skills that prepare them for their next steps.

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