| Author |
Message |
    
mary james
Citizen
Username: Max
Post Number: 4
Registered: 11-2003
| | Posted on Tuesday, November 25, 2003 - 2:22 pm: | 
|
I have been looking for information regarding secretarial/office management programs/degrees for my niece but the tuition fees I have been quoted have all been in the $15,000 - $20,000 region and as she is on a limited budget its not possible for her to attend these classes. Can anyone give me any information about a less expensive option? |
gozerbrown
Citizen
Username: Gozerbrown
Post Number: 258
Registered: 3-2002
| | Posted on Tuesday, November 25, 2003 - 3:04 pm: |
|
I am a big advocate on the temping experience. After getting laid off from a dot-com over three years ago (I was their office manager), I started temping and had a good experience. I have worked long-term positions for some well-known companies and, if I didn't have another career opportunity, I probably would have stayed at one of the companies who offered my a job. (Most of them do offer you full-time work if you do a kick-ass job!)
I would suggest using a well-known agency (I've had good experience with Manpower)who can evaluate her skills. They are ususally looking for people with strong Microsoft Office skills. Much of that stuff, she could probably learn on her own (Word, Excel, etc.) or take a course at a community college. Some libraries offer computer courses.
I think that most of the skills can be acquired on the job, so to speak. Working as an executive assistant (as I did for most of the time I temped) requires confidence, motivation, and top-notch communication skills.
I don't know what her educational background is, but if she has a good work history and glowing references, she could even start at a clerical type position and work her way up into an admin position. Most of the administrative people I worked with had college degrees so maybe she should look into an associate's or bachelor's program where she will get a more well-rounded experience than the specific program at a secretarial school. Even if she gets a degree in something obscure, this shows motivation and commitment to bettering oneself.
I'd also be interested, since you are her aunt, what she personally has done to further her career along.
|
mary james
Citizen
Username: Max
Post Number: 5
Registered: 11-2003
| | Posted on Tuesday, November 25, 2003 - 3:42 pm: |
|
She is computer literate but she works fulltime so her options are limited as regards college and even county colleges seem to cost a fortune. She has been looking into all of this herself Im just trying to see if I might be able to help. She has been working as a caregiver for 10yrs and need a change. She has glowing references in that regard but sadly they arent proving any real help. |
Joan
Citizen
Username: Joancrystal
Post Number: 2216
Registered: 5-2001
| | Posted on Tuesday, November 25, 2003 - 4:30 pm: |
|
Mary:
What kind of work does she do now? Does her employer offer any training classes she would qualify for?
If she belongs to a union do they have a partial tuition reimbursement program for their members?
If she lives in the area, she might also consider taking courses at the adult school, which would cost far less than the tuition costs you quoted.
|
algebra2
Citizen
Username: Algebra2
Post Number: 1446
Registered: 5-2001
| | Posted on Tuesday, November 25, 2003 - 4:42 pm: |
|
Is there a church or some organization which she's associated with where she could volunteer some of her time to do office work and get some hands on experience? Excel and Word are easy to teach yourself. I never took any secretarial/office management programs but did go to college and did office work throughout my time there. I have gotten jobs through Career Blazers in NYC -- they also do offer some classes I believe and have offices in NJ and NY. |
Closed: New threads not accepted on this page