The Business Office Technology program at NCTC brings you the skills you need to excel in today’s tech-intensive office environment. Administrative Assistant, Receptionist, Secretary, and Accounting Assistant are just some of the jobs open to those who have completed the Business Office Technology program. In years past, occupations in this field were rather narrowly defined and though they demanded a high level of competence, required only a fairly basic set of skills. Not any more.
At NCTC, you’ll learn basic computer and keyboarding skills, workplace ethics, professionalism, and take a deep dive into working with word processing applications, spreadsheets, presentations, and databases.
Students generally complete the Business Office Technology certificate program in two semesters of full-time work. The associate’s degree program is usually completed in four semesters (two years) of full-time work. Both programs can be done part-time, though this naturally extends the time required for completion. All classes are offered online, so you can work at your own schedule and fit your learning around work and family responsibilities. Future job opportunities are strong as is pay.
Career Facts
Administrative Assistant
Keeping an office humming along efficiently is the role of an administrative assistant. Answering phones, greeting visitors, organizing records, and keeping track of accounts are some of the day-to-day activities, but larger projects such as writing reports, developing spreadsheets and maintaining databases are likely to be part of the job too. Many administrative assistants will find work in schools, government offices and corporations. With advanced or specialized skills, administrative assistants may work as executive assistants and legal or medical secretaries as well.
Who is a good fit?
Are you an organizer? Attentive to detail? Good with people? Do you have strong writing skills and feel comfortable with basic office software? Answer yes to all of these and you’re the perfect administrative assistant candidate.
Education
Most administrative assistant positions require some college or vocational training. For more advanced positions such as executive secretary, workers typically have a minimum of an associate’s degree. Most programs will cover using spreadsheets and word processing software as well as keyboarding and business communication.
Median pay
Administrative Assistant: $31,297
Executive Secretary: $53,562
Job outlook
Some 322,000 new job openings are projected for administrative assistants through the year 2020.
Source: 2013 Onetonline.org, 2015 Texaswages.com
Student Success Story
Sherion Lawson – Business Office Technology
2015 Administrative Employee of the Year at Denton Fire Department
Sherion Lawson, Administrative Employee of the Year for 2015, Denton Fire Department
Sherion Lawson, a graduate of North Central Texas College (NCTC) with an Associate of Applied Science degree in Business Office Technology, has worked with the Denton Fire Department for over 15 years. Lawson was employed full-time while completing her degree with NCTC.
“When I was looking at different schools and programs,” said Lawson, “it really came down to location and convenience for me. That’s why I chose NCTC.”
Once Lawson finished the program through NCTC she received a job title change that came with more financial compensation as well. Though Lawson was looking forward to this promotion, she also gained something she didn’t know she would be getting – a boost of confidence.
“My confidence has been the biggest change since I finished my degree,” said Lawson. “I became more confident in my work and learned that if I was running into a problem,
I could also help with the solution.”
Lawson also saw changes in herself outside of work. She currently serves as the Chairman of the Martin Luther King Jr. Advisory Board for the MLK Jr. Recreation Center in Denton.
“I wouldn’t have volunteered for something like this before I had my degree,” said Lawson. “With this new confidence I’ve learned to challenge myself and do things outside of my comfort zone in order to grow.”
Have us contact you by filling our the form below or visit our website for more information about the program and NCTC as a whole.