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Pop quiz: Kara just finished school and starts her new job as an administrative assistant on Monday. Sara has been an administrative assistant for 20 years. Who needs more continuing education?

Answer: Both of them - and everyone in between, to be honest. Admins constantly hear that they need to get more education. And there are good reasons for it, including personal growth and maybe even a few more dollars in their paycheck.

Bennies

"Obviously, anything that gives you additional skills, especially over other job-seekers, helps increase your chances of being offered a particular position," says Zak Brown, division director of OfficeTeam in St. Paul. "Hiring managers love to see a job candidate who has proactively pursued additional learning and development opportunities."

Ideally, additional education will include both hard and soft skills. While it's helpful to know the latest features of Microsoft Office, it's equally important to work on people skills.

"They go hand-in-hand," says Erin O'Hara Meyer, president of Administrative Excellence, Inc., a Rosemount-based consulting firm dedicated to the personal and professional development of administrative professionals. "It's important to help them deal and work with other people."

Places To Go, Things To Learn

Community colleges are normally the first place admins think to go for continuing education. And while they are an excellent option, there are other places to consider, including:

• In-house educational opportunities.

• Public workshops.

• Local colleges. "There are a lot of them that have targeted, specific classes," says O'Hara-Meyer.

• Online courses.

• Professional organizations, like the International Association of Administrative Professionals (IAAP).

"Joining industry associations such as the IAAP that offer certifications, allows professionals to expand their network and learn new approaches to business challenges from othersin the field," says Brown.

O'Hara Meyer will teach a course at North Hennepin Community College on Nov. 27 and Dec. 4 called "Aspiring to Administrative Excellence." The course will teach such skills as building a reputation of excellence, communications skills and building in-house programs for admins.

"If you don't have in-house admin training, champion that cause," advises O'Hara Meyer. "Get it started."

It might not be easy, she warns. Not only do you need management to buy-in to the program, but you also need a budget and management's on-going commitment.

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