Administrative Assistant
The Degree
Associate in Applied Science (A.A.S.)
The Outlook
Empower yourself with the knowledge and skills to pursue a fulfilling and challenging career in today's high-tech office, where jobs are plentiful. According to the Occupational Outlook Handbook, administrative assistants and secretaries rank among the largest occupations in the U.S. economy. Projected employment opportunities vary by specialty with the fastest growth expected in the industries of construction, legal, and services fields including education; healthcare; social assistance; professional; science; and technology. Additionally, many positions will become available due to employment growth, vacancies created as people are promoted into positions with additional responsibilities, or career changes.
The Administrative Assistant degree program at Finger Lakes Community College can help you enter the job market with strong high-tech, management, communication, and the other skills required by business.
The Program
The Associate in Applied Science (A.A.S.) Administrative Assistant degree program provides an individualized approach by providing small class size and supportive faculty and staff.
Technology: Classrooms are equipped with state-of-the-art computers utilizing administrative software programs as well as ergonomically designed office furniture to simulate an actual work environment.
In addition to the associate's degree, the College offers a Certificate in Office Technology, which can be earned in as little as nine months and is fully transferable to the degree program.
Honors Courses: In addition, the College offers honors courses that provide enhanced educational experiences for students who have demonstrated outstanding academic ability. Enrollment in honors courses is open to qualified students enrolled in this degree program, as well as all other qualified FLCC students. Successful completion of honors courses or an Honors Certificate may increase student transfer options to four-year institutions.
The Experience
A student enrolled in the Administrative Assistant degree program can expect to be prepared for the ever-evolving technological business world. The students' experience will encompass current computer technology. It will also cultivate those advanced skills required to handle the complex responsibilities that were once performed by management. All of these acquired skills will help the graduate contribute to the successful operation and management of an efficient business.
The Graduates
Graduates from this degree program are employable immediately upon graduation, and career choices are as diverse as one's imagination: legal; medical or veterinary medicine; science; research; entertainment; social service; construction; retail; journalism; religion; education; real estate; advertising; accounting; wine industry; federal, state, and local government; banking; insurance; and tourism.
Our graduates are employed at such businesses as Kodak, Canandaigua Medical Group, Goulds Pumps - ITT Corporation, Xerox, and others throughout the region and across New York. Those who choose to transfer to four-year institutions such as Nazareth College of Rochester and the Rochester Institute of Technology*, are currently pursuing careers as marketing administrators, paralegals, teachers, and college professors.
Salary: While salaries vary greatly by industry segment and region, the most recent Occupational Outlook Handbook reports the median annual earnings of administrative assistants and executive secretaries in 2008 were $40,080.
* This is a sampling of some of the four-year colleges and universities to which our students have transferred. Please consult your advisor or the Center for Advisement and Personal Development for a complete listing of transfer agreements between Finger Lakes Community College and four-year institutions.
Scholarships
Administrative Assistant students who meet the criteria are eligible for the Joanne Glover Memorial Scholarship, Canandaigua Rotary/Martin Schneider Scholarship, and Carol Scharett Memorial Scholarship. Please contact the Financial Aid Office or a member of the Business Department for information.
The Faculty
The Administrative Assistant/Office Technologies professors are dedicated to FLCC's mission of teaching and are committed to teaching the most current office technology. Faculty are known for being student oriented. Faculty members hold master's degrees and bring years of practical office experience into the classroom and relate their experience to the concepts they teach. Additionally, faculty in the Department have been awarded the prestigious State University of New York Chancellor's Award for Excellence in Teaching.