Administrative Assistant
What is an administrative assistant?
Administrative assistants perform a variety of administrative and clerical task in support of an office or an organization. Successful administrative assistants must be highly organized and possess excellent computer, writing and communication skills. Knowledge of a variety of office equipment and modern office procedures is vital. Administrative Assistants may create spreadsheets, compose memos and correspondence, manage databases, generate reports, create presentations and perform research. Various positions may also require handling travel arrangements, maintaining inventories, and planning and scheduling meetings and appointments. Traditional task may include answering telephone, filing and reception skills.
Career Opportunities
According to the 2011-12 Occupational Outlook Handbook, Administrative Assistant ranks among the largest occupations in the U.S. economy and among those with the largest number of job openings.
The Handbook also reports:
Secretaries and administrative assistants are employed in organizations of every type. Around 90 percent are employed in service-providing industries, ranging from education and healthcare to government and retail trade. Most of the rest work for firms engaged in manufacturing or construction.
Job Outlook:
Overall employment of secretaries and administrative assistants is expected to grow 12 percent from 2010 to 2020, about as fast as the average for all occupations. Among specialties, medical secretaries is the only occupation that is expected to have much-faster-than-average employment growth. This is driven by the rapid growth of the healthcare industry. Overall, the majority of job openings will result from the need to replace workers who leave these occupations.
For more information and to see the full report visit http://www.bls.gov/ooh/Office-and-Administrative-Support/Secretaries-and-administrative-assistants.htm
BIS V98 – Administrative Assistant – 16 units
Hours: 16 lecture hours weekly
This course provides comprehensive training in the skills required of an administrative assistant including computer hard disk management, electronic and manual record management, and business software with an emphasis on integrating word processing, electronic spreadsheets, and presentations. Students will learn to use the internet to create, organize and process e-mail. Share information and files, and effectively use search engines for e-commerce and job searches. Topics will include business communicating skills, professional telephone techniques, resume preparation, job searches and internships.
Student Learning Outcomes
Given instruction in both business technology applications and business communications, students will demonstrate competency in the skills commonly required of an administrative assistant, i.e., computer disk management; using word processing, electronic spreadsheets and databases; using internet search engines; keyboarding; math calculations using a 10-key; telephone skills; office communications; resume preparation and job search skills; all evaluated by instructor review of given projects. Successful completion of BIS 98 qualifies for a Proficiency Award.
