As technology has changed standard office procedures, the administrative assistant’s role has changed dramatically. Office managers, desktop publishers, communication experts, and software superusers are all roles that administrative assistants now play. It is frequently the administrative assistant’s responsibility to train employees on new office equipment and business software programs. This means that the most effective administrative assistant programs will include classes in the most up-to-date office technologies and provide students with skills and software knowledge that is current, if not ahead of, of industry trends.
Although completion of an administrative assistant program is not required in order to obtain employment, there are a number of skills that are required to work as an administrative assistant. If you don’t have any previous office experience, a two-year associate’s degree administrative assistant program at a community college, technical college, or business training school is the best route. Public community colleges will most likely offer the most affordable programs, but cost isn’t always the most important consideration. Making a list of all the local schools that offer an administrative assistant program is the first step in the selection process. Compare and contrast all of the classes available. The most recent versions of the most popular business software should be included in the courses. These are typically Microsoft® Office programs in the United States, such as Word, PowerPoint®, Access®, Excel®, and Outlook®.
Checking online job postings for a candidate’s location is a great way to start compiling a list of the most commonly requested software programs and skills. Adobe® Acrobat® for creating forms, as well as HTML and CSS for working with websites, are some other essentials. The industry in which one wishes to work determines a great deal. An administrative assistant position in a marketing firm, for example, will likely require more creative desktop publishing tasks, whereas a position in an accounting firm will require more knowledge of financial software. Before enrolling in an administrative assistant program, choose a focus to ensure that courses in the areas of interest are available.
Schools that offer administrative assistant internships should be at the top of your list. This is the best way to meet people, network for future jobs, and gain valuable experience before starting your job search. If no schools with internships are available, schools in larger metropolitan areas will provide more opportunities for those without experience to create their own internship. Call the schools at the top of the list and inquire about job placement assistance and instructor backgrounds after matching course offerings with desired skills and comparing costs. Instructors who are Microsoft® Certified Trainers (MCT) or Microsoft® Office Specialists (MOS) are guaranteed to be up to date on the latest business software technology.