Business Office Administration

This program is designed to give students job-related skills in various computer business applications and operating systems, qualifying them for entry-level employment in a variety of positions. This program is designed for the student who desires a computer oriented career in the business arena. Up on graduation, examples of employment opportunities include: computer operator, bookkeeping clerk, receptionist, file clerk, personnel clerk, typist, work processor, and secretary.

 

NATURE OF THE WORK: As the reliance on technology continues to expand in offices, the role of the office professional has greatly evolved. Office automation and organizational restructuring have led secretaries and administrative assistants to assume responsibilities once reserved for managerial and professional staff. Many secretaries and administrative assistants now provide training and orientation for new staff, conduct research on the Internet, and operate and troubleshoot new office technologies. In spite of these changes, however, the core responsibilities for secretaries and administrative assistants have remained much the same: Performing and coordinating an office’s administrative activities and storing, retrieving, and integrating information for dissemination to staff and clients.

 

Secretaries and administrative assistants are responsible for a variety of administrative and clerical duties necessary to run an organization efficiently. They serve as information and communication managers for an office, plan and schedule meetings and appointments, organize and maintain paper and electronic files, manage projects, conduct research; and disseminate information by using the telephone, mail services, Web sites, and e-mail. They also may handle travel and guest arrangements.

 

Secretaries and administrative assistants are aided in these tasks by a variety of office equipment, such as fax machines, photocopiers, scanners, and videoconferencing and telephone systems. In addition, secretaries and administrative assistants often use computers to do tasks previously handled by managers and professionals: create spreadsheets; compose correspondence; manage databases; and create presentations, reports, and documents using desktop publishing software and digital graphics.

 

WORKING CONDITIONS: Secretaries and administrative assistants usually work in schools, hospitals, corporate settings, government agencies, or legal and medical offices. Their jobs often involve sitting for long periods.

 

JOB OUTLOOK: Employment is projected to grow about as fast as the average. Secretaries and administrative assistants will have among the largest number of job openings due to growth and the need to replace workers who transfer to other occupations or leave this occupation. Opportunities should be best for applicants with extensive knowledge of computer software applications.

 

EARNINGS: Median annual wages of secretaries, except legal, medical, and executive, were $29,050 in May 2008. The middle 50 percent earned between $23,160 and $36,020. the lowest 10 percent earned less than $18,440, and the highest 10 percent earned more than $43,240.

 

- Information taken from the Occupational Outlook Handbook 2010-2011

 

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Graduation Rate: 100% GRADUATE INDEBTEDNESS:

*Title IV Loans include Federal Direct Subsidized and Unsubsidized Student Loans
**Institutional Loans would include any money due to the college when the student graduates.

 

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