Technical Certificate

Office Support (6100)

There was a time when secretaries had to type like rolling thunder and excel in shorthand. Today, your title is apt to be administrative assistant rather than secretary, the emphasis is on technology instead of stenography and Excel has a whole new meaning. CEOs and management count on office administrators to keep day-to-day tasks flowing smoothly. In return, you can count on stable employment, outstanding benefits, and excellent income potential with rapid advancement, especially for those who go on to earn a degree.

Where do you see yourself in a business office? Would you like to sit at the front desk, greeting callers and visitors and answering their questions? You may prefer to work behind the scenes as a data entry clerk. Your first choice might be to handle customer inquiries over the telephone and process service transactions. After completing the Office Support certificate program, you’ll be qualified for any of these vital, well-paid positions. If you’re presently employed, the supplemental training will increase your knowledge and help you progress in your career.

Florida Community College partners with leading commercial and medical organizations throughout N.E. Florida. Your program is geared to meet their projected growth. Business leaders give master classes on our campuses, hold presentations and job fairs.

This technical certificate is included as an option within the Office Administration degree program. Students may choose to pursue an A.S. or A.A.S. degree and earn technical certificates while completing the requirements for the degree, or pursue one or more certificate programs to develop or upgrade their skills in a particular field. Contact an advisor or counselor to determine the career education path that is best for you.

Students may complete a degree in only one of the three specialty tracks, Office Administration, Medical Office or Office Software Applications. Students who wish to add a second area of specialization after completing a degree should pursue the technical certificate in that area.

Career Opportunities, Rapid Placement
Jacksonville is a city committed to economic development. Organizations are growing and relocating here, and the demand for qualified administrative professionals is high. Florida Community College graduates have a track record for rapid placement. Opportunities are especially strong in customer service, hospital administration, law firms, religious organizations, real estate firms, government offices, car dealerships, hotels, schools, sports teams, libraries, transportation and manufacturing.

Annual Salaries
Entry level salaries in a general office position begin at about $20,000 and can go to the mid-$30,000s with experience. Customer service representatives and legal assistants begin at about $30,000, executive assistants can exceed $40,000 and with further training, business managers in Jacksonville are in the $70,000 range.

Articulation
Credits earned in this program can be applied to the A.S./A.A.S. degree in Office Administration.

Cost
Estimated tuition is $797 (for Florida residents, based on fees as of 7/06). Contact the program manager for additional costs (textbooks, materials, fees).

Office Support (6100)
Curriculum

Professional Courses
OST 1100	Keyboarding/Introduction to Word Processing	3
CGS 1570	Microcomputer Applications	3
or CGS 1100 Microcomputer Applications for   Business and Economics (4)
OST 1581	Professional Development in the Work Environment	3
OST 1384	Introduction to Customer Service	3
	Credit Hours	12

Total Credit Hours: 12

Please see the technical certificate Graduation Requirements.