ADMINISTRATIVE ASSISTANT CAREER PATH
Administrative assistants play arguably one of the most important roles in any organization. People who choose the administrative assistant career path serve in critical support positions for specific company teams, groups or departments — handling routine duties and helping ensure everything runs smoothly.
WHAT TRAINING IS NEEDED TO SUCCEED IN ADMINISTRATIVE ASSISTANT CAREERS?
The administrative assistant job description and entrance requirements vary from company to company. Generally speaking, the minimum level of education required to work as an administrative assistant is a high school diploma. Industry- and company-specific training is typically provided on the job.
Candidates who have earned business administration associate degrees from two-year colleges often have an edge over the competition. Earning a degree demonstrates to potential employers that you possess inner drive, have discipline and follow through on commitments. Business administration programs also teach students how to handle common administrative assistant duties — including using technology, thinking critically, prioritizing tasks and communicating effectively.
WHAT IS IN A TYPICAL ADMINISTRATIVE ASSISTANT JOB DESCRIPTION?
Administrative assistant duties are fairly routine — but, don’t mistake routine for boring! Workdays can be fast-paced and exciting. Specific responsibilities are likely to include some or all of the following:
- Answer phone calls, transfer calls and capture messages
- Handle incoming and outgoing mail, packages, and faxes
- Schedule meetings and appointments for supported leaders and staff
- Maintain department files, records and databases
- Prepare memos and take meeting minutes
- Manage supply inventory
- Interact with third-party vendors and suppliers
- Use computer software applications including word processing, spreadsheets, presentation tools, accounting tools and more.
WHAT ARE SOME BENEFITS OF THE ADMINISTRATIVE ASSISTANT CAREER PATH?
In addition to administrative assistant duties that are relatively straightforward as described above, many people choose this career path because it offers a safe, comfortable working environment — typically in office settings. There is also often room for upward mobility, with the potential to move into an executive assistant or office manager role, or to take a different position within the supported business unit after a period.
Administrative assistants are also compensated well for their work. As of May 2019, the median annual administrative assistant salary was $39,850. These positions also often come with benefit packages, including health and dental insurance, retirement plans, paid time off, and more.
Generations COLLEGE PREPARES GRADUATES FOR ADMINISTRATIVE ASSISTANT CAREERS
Generations College’s business administration degree program provides motivated adults with an opportunity to learn the key concepts, strategies and tools needed to succeed as administrative assistants in any industry, working for any size company. Students can choose on-campus or online-accredited degree program options. Courses are taught by experienced faculty who bring real-world, hands-on instruction to improve learning outcomes.
As one of the most well-established and well-known administrative assistant schools in Chicago, Generations College prides itself on its students’ success, whether that means students finding jobs in their chosen fields after graduation or transitioning to four-year institutions to complete their four-year degrees.
If you want to work as an administrative assistant, earning your Associate of Science degree in Business Administration from Generations College can improve your chances of success. To learn more about our programs, contact us. When you are ready to do so, we encourage you to apply online.