Program’s Mission Statement

Many secretaries and administrative assistants now provide training and orientation for new staff, conduct research on the Internet, and operate and troubleshoot new office technologies. Secretaries and administrative assistants are responsible for a variety of administrative and clerical duties necessary to run an organization efficiently. They serve as an information manager for the office, schedule meetings and appointments, organize and maintain paper and electronic files, and manage projects. Additionally, they conduct research and provide information via the telephone, postal mail, and email.

Program Content

The program includes the use of technology to develop communication skills, higher level thinking skills, and decision-making skills.  The traditional role of Administrative Assistant is expanded with the performance of office procedures and tasks such as organizing meetings, preparing presentations, filing, global communications, records management, scheduling, reprographics, word processing, accounting, desktop publishing and mail handling.

Students will be able to produce high quality work in an efficient manner using advanced features of business software applications, using Microsoft Office Premium Edition (includes Microsoft Word, Excel, Access, PowerPoint and Outlook) and electronic communications (e.g. Internet, on-line databases, and e-mail); research of job opportunities; and the production of high quality employment portfolios and job-seeking documents.

The course/program also provides supplemental training for persons previously or currently employed in these occupations.

Entrance Requirements

¹    16 years of age or older and not currently enrolled in another Miami-Dade County Public School

¹    Occupational Interest

Length of Program

 This entire program is 1050 hours, but  students can earn a certificate at the completion of OCP’s :

OCP A (Information Technology Assistant)

             150 hours

             Business Systems and Technology

OCP B (Front Desk Specialist) 300 hours

             Administrative Office Technology 1

             Business Software Applications 1

OCP C (Assistant Digital Production 

             Designer) 150 hours

             Digital Design 1

OCP D (Administrative Assistant) 450 hour

             Administrative Office Technology 2

             Administrative Office Technology 3

            Business Software Applications 2

Minimum basic-skills grade levels required for awarding a Full Program Completion Certificate are 10^th grade in Math, Reading, and Language on the TABE Test

Employment Opportunities:

The program is designed to prepare students for office support positions as a file clerk, general office clerk, receptionist, secretary, and administrative assistant, and to provide supplemental training for persons previously or currently employed in any of these occupations.

Salary

In 2004, the median hourly salary for executive secretaries was $19.22 and administrative assistants were $16.10.

Fast growing industries – such as personnel supply, computer and data processing services, health and legal services education, and engineering and management – will continue to generate more new job opportunities.