Administrative Assistant Training

Administrative assistants are invaluable members of the office team. They are charged with overseeing and coordinating the day to day operations of a business. Their tasks include everything from clerical duties to management responsibilities. The specific duties of an administrative assistant depend on their place of employment, but are alway centered around keeping the office running smoothly and on-schedule.

In the past it was possible to gain an entry-level administrative assistant position without any prior experience. However, current offices prefer to hire administrative assistants that have some type of formal training due to the expanded role of the secretary in the office. The skills required of an administrative assistant have diversified thanks to the advent of communication technology. Modern administrative assistants often complete tasks once reserved for upper management, such as preparing reports and generating spreadsheets. These tasks require a solid education in all aspects of the secretarial profession.

Required Skills

Launching a successful career as an administrative assistant isn’t difficult. Individuals most likely to succeed in the field must possess a few particular qualities. Excellent organizational skills are probably the most important asset an administrative assistant can have. The ability to multitask and juggle several different instructions at one time is also essential. Other qualities include great communication skills, a polished appearance, and good interpersonal instincts.

Training Programs

There are several avenues available to individuals interested in completing training in administrative assisting. The most common route is attending a community college or vocational school with a program resulting in an administrative assisting certificate. These programs can take as little as one semester to complete. Seminars and online programs of varying duration are also available. These programs will cover a variety of subjects related to the profession. Typical courses include oral communication, word processing, typing, dictation, transcription, grammar, and other clerical skills. It is important that administrative assistants have a good grasp on phone decorum and business communication, such as letter-writing and interviewing techniques.

Communication technology plays a large part in the modern office. Many administrative assisting programs include classes aimed at increasing computer capability. Keyboarding, e-mail, Internet research, PowerPoint presentation creation, database management, data storage, and data retrieval are common subjects. Certain programs may include classes centered around software used in offices, such as Microsoft Excel, Outlook, and Word.

Individuals interested in pursuing medical administrative assisting or legal assisting will have to attend programs aimed specifically at those fields. Required classes include medical and legal terminology, ethics, and proceedings. Executive administrative assistants usually have a 4-year degree in addition to administrative training.

Certification

Administrative assistants can choose to become certified by the International Association of Administrative Professionals. There are several different levels of certification available for administrative assistants of all experience levels. The most prominent certifications are the Certified Professional Secretary (CPS) and the Certified Administrative Professional (CAP) credentials. These certifications can be earned by meeting educational requirements and passing an examination. Although certification is not mandatory, earning a credential demonstrates commitment to the profession, a high standard of work, and excellent experience.
 
 

Top Administrative Assistant Schools

  • Career Point College Online

    Imagine an exciting new career in the medical, business, legal or computer fields. Career Point College is a great place to learn all of the skills you will need to succeed in these industries and get the future you want! In as few as eight months for a diploma, 15 months for an Associate’s, and 18 months for a Bachelor’s (with an Associate’s first), you could be prepared to enter the job marketplace. Whether it is because of our accelerated programs, hands-on training, personal attention, flexible schedules, lifetime placement assistance or lifetime refresher training, you will see Career Point College is the right school for you!

  • Potomac College

    Potomac College offers students the opportunity to take advantage of all of the same courses, programs, and specializations online that are offered at either of their two physical campuses. This allows students the convenience of flexibility and makes it an ideal institution for fulltime working adults, military persons, or anyone with a busy, demanding schedule seeking to pursue a college degree. In fact, many of our students residing in a close proximity to either our Washington, DC or Herndon, VA campuses have chosen to take both online and on-campus courses for an accommodating blended program.

    Imagine being able to pursue your degree at a pace and time that works with your busy schedule. Potomac College offers practical and tailored curricula to a diverse community of working adults and students. It is our goal to make education obtainable regardless of a student’s schedule and finances. Our academic advisors are trained to assess your educational needs and tailor a curriculum that matches your career goals and expected time of completion.

  • Harrison College

    Harrison College is a nationally accredited college with more than 75,000 graduates. We offer a unique learning environment for students who want to pursue a career-focused, quality education and complete their degree in a student-centered atmosphere. In order to achieve your goals, we believe it’s important for us to take the time to get to know you. In fact, our students are often surprised at the one-on-one attention they receive here as compared to other institutions. You’ll experience it throughout every stage of your Harrison experience, from our Admissions Representatives to our Career Services staff and financial aid analysts to our course instructors. Each of us believes it is our goal to help you achieve yours.

  • TCI - Technical Career Institute

    TCI College is a New York City based technical school that offers continuing technical education to students who want on-site specialized training in competitive fields. Technical Career Institutes provides students with technical training such as web site design, health information technology, electronic engineering technology, and heating ventilation and air conditioning. TCI also offers career placement assistance upon graduation. Visit TCI College in New York City located in lower Manhattan.

  • Career Point College

    Imagine an exciting new career in the medical, business, legal or computer fields. Career Point College is a great place to learn all of the skills you will need to succeed in these industries and get the future you want! In as little as 8-11 months for a Diploma or 18 months for an Associate’s Degree, you can graduate and join the workforce. Whether it is because of our accelerated programs, hands-on training, personal attention, flexible schedules, on-site daycare, lifetime placement assistance or lifetime refresher training, you will see Career Point College is the right school for you!

  • Milan Institute

    We believe that each student at Milan Institute holds the key to his or her own success. Our staff and instructors strive to help each student develop the professionalism that will open a world of creativity and knowledge. Milan Institute offers a college atmosphere conducive to learning and individual growth. Excellent training and job placement assistance enable our students to become enterprising professionals.

  • Salter College

    Salter College, a private two-year college, offers an enriching balance of liberal arts and professional career education. We are dedicated to meeting the needs of our students through quality education and support services while fostering an environment that inspires academic excellence, intellectual curiosity, social responsibility, and an interest in life-long learning and continued higher education.

  • West Virginia Junior College

    Our programs are designed for you to be job-ready in months with career-focused, hands-on training in a friendly, small-school environment where you receive individual attention.

    As a WVJC student, you will have access to modern classrooms and laboratory equipment, individualized attention in a small class setting, and job placement assistance.

    Along with academic credentials and certifications, our faculty brings industry knowledge to the classroom, helping students understand both theory and real-world experiences.

  • Laurus College

    Our mission is to provide every student with a quality education and a quality experience that prepares you for success in the global marketplace of the modern world. To do this we provide focused instruction and personalized caring to every student. Our emphasis on career opportunities in all of our program offerings helps open up avenues of opportunity that previously may have gone unrealized.

  • IntelliTec

    IntelliTec Colleges offers training in allied health care, business, and technology, leading to a Professional Certificate or an Associate of Occupational Studies degree.