Office Administration Overview

All organizations need timely and effective office and administrative support to operate efficiently. Employment in this field can be found virtually in every sector of the economy, including banks, wholesalers, government agencies, retail establishments, business service firms, health care facilities, schools, and insurance companies.

Many employers require their office administration staff to have postsecondary training, such as a one-year certificate in office administration or an associate degree as an executive assistant. Students who pursue a bachelor’s degree in business administration have the potential to work in supervisory or management positions. Good working knowledge of the organization’s computer system is also an advantage.

SMC’s offers a ladder curriculum, where students can continue taking specific courses and earn a certificate as an office assistant, or continue to earn an associate’s degree as an executive assistant without losing any earned credits. Additionally, students may continue after the two-year degree and earn a bachelor’s degree in business administration through Ferris State University. FSU classes are held on SMC’s campuses.

Office Assistant

The SMC’s School of Business one-year office assistant certification provides entry level skills and knowledge. Office assistants compose routine correspondence, edit documents and recommend revisions, operate office equipment, schedule appointments, organize, maintain paper and electronic files, maintain confidentiality, provide information to callers, read and route incoming mail, file correspondence, and use word processing.

Employment opportunities include positions as administrative assistants, office assistants, clerks, administrative associates, receptionists, and secretaries. The average salary is $27,000 annually.

Executive Assistant

Armed with an associate in applied science degree as executive assistant from SMC’s School of Business, students will discover a fast-paced career where confidentiality, organization, and maturity are key attributes of individuals in this field.

Executive assistants are high level members of an organization that typically report and work closely with senior executives. They manage and maintain schedules, prepare reports and other documents, using word processing, spreadsheet, and presentation software, as well as attending board and committee meetings as part of the executive team.

Career opportunities can be found in the corporate, private, public, and non-profit areas as an executive assistant, office manager, administrative associate, and personal assistant.

The average salary for executive assistant who has an associate degree is $36,000 annually.

Medical Transcriptionist

The medical transcriptionist records what the physician has dictated regarding a patient’s status and creates a written document using word processing. Transcriptionists recognize inconsistencies and mistakes in medical terms, and edits reports for spelling, grammar, clarity, and proper medical terminology.

To understand and accurately transcribe dictated reports, medical transcriptionists must understand medical terminology, anatomy and physiology, diagnostic procedures, pharmacology, and treatment assessments. They also must be able to translate medical jargon and abbreviations into their expanded forms.

This position will ensure the accuracy of the patient and health care facility records. Transcriptionists are employed by medical offices, clinics, hospitals, and transcription services. Job titles may include medical transcriptionist, medical transcriber, medical language specialist, and document specialist. Salary is based on accuracy and speed, but the average wage is $29,000 annually.