Welcome
Just the Facts
Entry: Fall or Spring
Length: 4 semesters
Award: Associate in Applied Science (A.A.S.) Degree
Program Guide: Administrative Assistant
Admission Requirements
Admission to the college is granted to all individuals who are high school graduates or the equivalent. We encourage you to review our Getting Started Checklist for specific requirements for admission.
Special Entrance Requirement: 25 wpm keyboarding skill
"The classes in the Administrative Assistant program helped me further my knowledge of different office programs and the relationship with my employer helped me start an internship which turned into a full time position. I use the knowledge I gained from the classes not only at work but in my everyday life." --Amy Schultz
What we Are
Office professionals have many qualities:
- They are oral and written communicators
- dependable
- punctual
- team players
- good listeners
- perfectionists, independent, self-disciplined
- committed to learning
- inquisitive
- willing to assist others, dedicated to professional development and achievement
- logical and organized
- proficient in keyboarding
- able to make appropriate decisions
- and proficient in grammar
Career Opportunities
According to the U.S. Department of Labor, administrative assistants are the backbone of the American office. At 3.2 million strong, they represent the largest organizations of every type.
About 6 out of 10 administrative assistants are employed in firms providing services, ranging from:
- education and health
- legal and business services.
- manufacturing
- construction
- wholesale and retail trade
- transportation, and communications
- banks
- insurance companies
- investment firms
- real estate firms
- Federal, State, and local government agencies
"As a mother of three, working full-time, part-time and a student, Iowa Western Community College not only helped me reach my career goals, it also allowed me to complete all my goals with all my other obligations. Attending classes part-time worked wonderfully with my life style and has allowed me to climb the corporate ladder within my company. I am a manager at Liberty Bank and through the program at Iowa Western Community College I was able to start as a teller and work my way up into management. Without my education, this would have never been an opportunity for me. The classes helped me to grow professionally and helped to educate me in problem-solving skills."
--Shawna Summers
The Nature of the work
Some typical daily activities in an administrative assistant's schedule might include:
- Developing a production report using spreadsheet software.
- Preparing charts, slides, and handouts for a management presentation.
- Corresponding with clients all over the world.
- Researching a topic on the Internet.
- Coordinating a video conference.
- Scheduling airline flights.
- Supervising and training a coworker.
- Representing management at a meeting.
Articulation/Transfer Opportunities
Iowa Western Community College has articulation agreements with various four-year schools, local and state.
Scholarships
Iowa Western Community College has many scholarship opportunities available for new and continuing students. We encourage you to take a moment to explore these options by visiting our Scholarship Page - the few minutes it takes to fill out the application may literally pay off!
Come and see the Administrative Assistant Program
It is important to research the program you would like to study and school you would like to attend, but it is equally important that you experience both before making your selection. We encourage you to come experience the Administrative Assistant program at Iowa Western yourself by scheduling a personal visit or attending a program day.