Why earn an associate degree in administration assistant?

Administrative assistants are the backbone of most offices. They perform many of the duties that keep a business running smoothly. For those with good organizational skills and proficiency in multiple computer software platforms, working as an administrative assistant is a great fit.

Administrative Assistant Career Projections and Salary

The top careers for administrative assistants are generally in the legal and health care fields. Health care is one of the fastest growing industries, which should translate to an above-average growth rate in the number of medical administrative assistants needed. The legal profession is expected grow faster than other industries, also translating into job potential for administrative assistants.

The Bureau of Labor Statistics reports that administrative assistants earned mean annual wages of $44,010 in 2009. Competition for these jobs is expected to be high, especially in specialized medical and legal fields, so getting an associate degree in office management and administration is more important than ever.

Job outlook is good for those going into a career as an administrative assistant, especially those who specialize in growing industries. The BLS reports employment for the 2008-2018 time period will grow about 11 percent.

Administrative Assistant Job Duties and Training

The duties of an administrative assistant vary widely depending on the company and industry. Some of the most basic duties include planning meetings and appointments, distributing information and acting as office communications liaison. Also essential to the career is the support of executives, which can include answering phones, dictation and scheduling travel.

To give yourself the greatest chance for success, it's important to have the training and education employers are looking for. As computers are such a prominent part of most business operations, getting trained in office-specific software can put you ahead of the pack when it comes to hiring. Classes you might encounter while studying for your administrative assistant degree include:

Basic grammar and writing proficiency
Bookkeeping and basic accounting
Word processing and other office programs
Database management and computer basics
Communication skills

Earning an Administrative Assistant Degree

Getting an online associate degree in administrative assistant might be an option for you. There are many schools that offer online education, which allows you to find classes that fit your schedule. Most of the coursework can be done outside the classroom, with input from your online instructor, making this an interactive, convenient way to earn your degree.

You'll find a range of certification programs you can apply for once you've met the educational requirements. While these certifications are not required for most administrative assistant jobs, earning these professional certificates demonstrates your desire to stay abreast of industry trends, which might increase your job prospects. If you plan to specialize in certain field--the legal profession, for example--you'll find certifications that are preferred, if not required, by employers.

As the job market remains competitive, those wishing to excel in their career understand the value of getting an associate degree in administrative assistant. Furthering your education by getting an online associate degree in administrative assistant is a convenient, and smart method for working your way to career success.