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EXPERT Q&A FOR ADMINISTRATIVE
PROFESSIONALS
QUESTION: How important is a college degree these days to
attaining a position and making a career in the administrative support
profession? Please elaborate on why it is or isn’t important.
ANSWER (by Diane Domeyer, executive director of Office Team):
Many employers – but not all – do require a college degree for
administrative jobs. An associate’s or bachelor’s degree often is viewed as
a sign of an individual’s commitment to education and ability to follow
through with goals. It also is seen as confirmation that a candidate has
solid analytical and communication skills, since these are necessary to earn
a degree.
However, many administrative professionals can be quite successful without a
degree. The key is demonstrating a sincere interest in continually learning.
If you do not have a college degree, use your job search materials and
interview responses to highlight any workshops, online training or seminars
you’ve completed and professional certifications you’ve earned (such as the
certified administrative professional or certified professional secretary
designations).
In some cases, a strong work history also can offset the lack of a degree.
Be sure your cover letter and resume focus on your accomplishments and
bottom line contributions to previous employers. For instance, rather than
just noting you helped to select a new database application for a previous
employer, you’d want to point out that the application enhanced employee
efficiency so much so that you received a special award.
If you have the desire and commitment to pursue a college degree, many
options are available to help you. In addition to traditional associate’s
and bachelor’s degree programs through universities and colleges, many
technical schools now offer specialized degrees in such areas as medical
administration and administrative office technology. Be sure to talk to your
manager about your plans. Companies often support efforts by their employees
to pursue higher education by offering tuition reimbursement or flexible
scheduling, so you want to make sure you’re aware of any available
resources.
Keep in mind, too, that a college degree alone will not always give you an
advantage. You must constantly strive to enhance your skill set and add
value to your employers to stay marketable, regardless of whether or not you
possess a degree.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR:
Diane Domeyer is executive
director of OfficeTeam, the nation’s leading staffing service specializing
in the temporary placement of highly skilled administrative and office
support professionals. OfficeTeam has more than 300 locations worldwide and
offers online job search services at
www.officeteam.com.
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