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For fast-growing careers, health-care is where it's at. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), medical assistant will be among the fastest-growing occupation through 2016.
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DESCRIPTION
Administrative assistants require strong verbal, listening, and writing skills; interpersonal and supervisory skills; ability to keep confidences; knowledge of records management; and knowledge of a variety of software application programs and integrated electronic office systems. Administrative Assistants perform and coordinate office activities and ensure that information is delivered in a timely fashion to staff and clients. Managers, professionals, and other support staff rely on them to keep administrative operations under control.

RESPONSIBILITIES
Administrative Assistants’ responsibilities may include processing incoming and outgoing mail, communicating through electronic mail, scheduling, keyboarding documents and forms, transcribing business documents, filing and retrieving records, handling telephone calls, and making travel arrangements. In addition, they may be given more challenging tasks such as composing and dictating letters, recording meeting minutes, collecting data and performing research, generating reports, maintaining budgets and other bookkeeping applications, and applying supervisory responsibilities.

WORKING CONDITIONS
Administrative Assistants usually work in offices with other professionals or in schools, hospitals, or doctors’ offices. Their jobs may involve sitting for long periods of time, but often are filled with a variety of responsibilities that keep them moving. Administrative Assistants generally work a standard 40-hour week.

EMPLOYMENT
Employment opportunities should be quite plentiful, especially for well-qualified Administrative Assistants, who, according to many employers, are in short supply. Demand for Administrative Assistants will rise as the economy grows and as more workers are employed in offices. The trend toward Administrative Assistants assuming more responsibilities traditionally reserved for managers and professionals should also stimulate demand. Knowledge of word processing, spreadsheet, and database management programs are increasingly important and most employers require it. Administrative Assistants must be proficient in keyboarding and good at spelling, punctuation, and oral communication. Employers also look for communication and interpersonal skills, since an Administrative Assistant must be tactful in their dealings with many different people. Discretion, judgment, organizational ability, and initiative are important for higher level positions.

ADVANCEMENT
Advancement for Administrative Assistants generally comes about by promotion to a position with more responsibilities. Qualified Administrative Assistants who broaden their knowledge of the company’s operations may be promoted to other positions such as clerical supervisor or office manager. Administrative Assistants with word processing experience can advance to jobs as word processing trainers, supervisors, or managers within their own companies.

NOTE: Today’s business offices have a need for highly skilled employees who possess the skills and confidence necessary to handle a wide variety of office tasks. The Administrative Assistant degree provides a strong foundation in office skills, including the technological aspects, and combines course work and hands-on computer experience. The curriculum includes comprehensive work skills preparation necessary for the administrative assistant to work in business, professional offices, and other employing agencies. Students will be prepared to demonstrate good communication skills, problem- solving skills, effective human relations skills, and skilled use of computer applications, and office procedures.

*Source: U.S. Department of Labor, Bureau of Labor Statistics, May 2008 (2006-07) Edition