It’s a question we hear often: What is the power of a Microsoft Office Specialist (MOS) certification? There’s no better answer than lived experience, and Ashlyn Dumaw is a prime example of how an industry-recognized certification can shape professional journeys.
Currently a senior studying chemical engineering at Cornell University, Ashlyn was invited to be the 2024 Student Ambassador for the Microsoft Office Specialist World Championships. In her ambassador role, she provided student competitors with practical advice and shared her experiences as a past competitor in the 2019 MOS U.S. and World Championships.
Read her certification story and insights into how others can forge their own paths in technology and beyond below.
Can you introduce yourself and tell us about your background?
My name is Ashlyn Dumaw, and I am a senior studying chemical engineering at Cornell University. I am passionate about how engineering intersects with design. I participated in the U.S. National Championship for Microsoft Office Specialist, where I placed first in PowerPoint, and I went on to the global competition, placing third in my category.
At Cornell, I'm heavily involved in the chemical engineering community as a teaching assistant and peer advisor. I also work in a Fiber Science Research Laboratory, where I research compounds that give fabric special properties, which helps feed my love of design and fiber science.
What certifications have you earned, and how have they impacted you?
I've earned certifications in Word Expert, Word 2013, Word 2016, PowerPoint 2013, and PowerPoint 2016. The certifications have primarily taught me confidence in developing my technical skills. To succeed in these exams, you need to be precise and thoroughly understand the program, which has greatly benefited me in various ways.
Beyond the certifications themselves, the skill set I've developed has been incredibly useful in different business environments. For example, PowerPoint and Word are standard tools in many industries, and mastering them allows you to communicate effectively through presentations and documents.
How have you applied your PowerPoint skills in your role as a teaching assistant?
Teaching chemical engineering concepts can be quite challenging, especially for students encountering them for the first time. As a teaching assistant, I've used my PowerPoint skills to create presentations that simplify these complex topics. I'm able to create different presentations that walk students through a difficult problem in a simple manner, using transitions or different color changes to ensure that they understand the material effectively. This can help build a strong foundation for when they have to apply these concepts to more difficult problems in their other classes.
What was your experience like competing in the Microsoft Office Specialist World Championship?
Competing in the World Championship was a unique experience. I don't think it's like any experience I've ever had before because I was in a room with such talented individuals from different walks of life, and I felt very honored to be there. The pressure was immense, but it was also invigorating and significantly boosted my confidence. Being part of such a talented group made me realize the value of my own accomplishments. My experience as an ambassador at the competition has been equally rewarding, as it allows me to connect with and inspire others, showing them how they can use their skills in their future careers. I am also able to appreciate what the competition has done for me and how far I've come since then.
What advice would you give to students considering getting a certification or competing in a championship?
I would tell students to feel secure in their accomplishments and recognize that they are the architects of their own futures. It's okay to feel unsure about where you want to go, especially when you're at a stage where you're making significant life decisions. However, you should have the confidence to create the future you desire and pursue opportunities that may seem daunting at first. Certifications and competitions can provide unique experiences and learning opportunities that will stay with you for life. At Cornell, having my certifications has really helped me get an edge over others in terms of being able to effectively communicate my ideas.
How have your certifications helped you in your academic and professional pursuits?
My certifications have given me an edge in both academic and professional settings. In classes, I'm able to create effective presentations and documents that communicate my ideas clearly, which is beneficial for assignments and final presentations. When I started looking for internships, having my certifications and MOS World Championship participation on my resume caught the attention of employers, providing me with interesting talking points and setting me apart from other applicants.
Through these interviews, I have been able to talk not only about my accomplishments but also about the softer skills that I learned through these experiences. This provided the employers with a more holistic view of who I was as a person, and it also aligned with the criteria that they were seeking for an intern.
How did you first get involved in the Microsoft Office Specialist World Championship?
I first got involved in the championship through my high school teacher, Ms. Rael. She encouraged me to take a certification class in Word and PowerPoint, which I initially did to enhance my resume and job search prospects. After performing well on the certification exams, she suggested I look into the championships. With her encouragement and the support of other students who had participated before, I decided to give it a try. Her support was instrumental in my journey, and I credit her for helping me get involved.
I would not have been able to achieve what I have today without her support. If I had a chance to talk to Ms. Rael again, I think I would just thank her for her genuine investment and encouragement in my pursuits. She wanted to see me get involved, not because she wanted me to place for the school, but so I could apply my skill set in a way that would be helpful to me in the future.
Who has been influential in your journey, and what would you say to them?
I would like to thank my family, especially my parents, for their unwavering support throughout my journey, including during the National and World Championships. My dad's presence at the competitions gave me a sense of security and motivation. He also explored Orlando with me. It was really great because I felt like no matter what happened in the competition, no matter the amount of pressure I was putting on myself, I knew that I would always have people there to support me.
I'd also like to thank Ms. Rael for her encouragement during high school, which helped me get involved in the championships. At Cornell, my academic advisor, Professor Duncan, and my lab advisor, Professor Hinestroza, have been instrumental in guiding me and encouraging me to pursue my interests in the intersection of science and design. They have shown me how important having diverse viewpoints is in chemical engineering and demonstrated that science and design can intersect.
What final message do you have for those thinking about competing in the Microsoft Office Specialist Championship?
If you're considering competing, I would say go for it! It might be out of your comfort zone, but the experiences, memories, and skills you gain are invaluable and will stay with you for the rest of your life.
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