Clerical & Administrative

Students who remain up-to-date on the latest technology trends and computer applications will be very marketable in the area of Office Administration. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, however, job vacancies will be growing at a slower than average rate over the next eight years

Because of the nature of contemporary office administration, the demands placed on office administrators are heavier than they used to be. Employers for these positions will only want to hire those people who have the proper training and education. A diploma in office administration will show employers that you have what it takes to be a successful office administrator

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.

Job opportunities

• Account Collectors
• Accounting Clerks
• Administrative Assistants
• Administrative Support Worker Supervisors and Managers
• Auditing Clerks
• Bill Collectors
• Billing Clerks
• Bookkeeping Clerks
• Brokerage Clerks
• Cargo Agents
• Communications Equipment Operators