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Computer Applications in Business
Career
The need for effective computer skills is essential for workers in all fields. Students in this field are trained to use technology and software applications to perform and coordinate the administrative activities of an office and ensure that information is collected and disseminated to staff and clients. Employees provide support by conducting research, preparing statistical reports, managing databases, preparing spreadsheets and presentations, creating publications, creating web pages, managing the office schedule, and handling information requests. Mastery of computer applications, communication skills, and office management skills helps students be successful in many careers, as well as in further education.
Job outlook
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, administrative services is one of the largest occupational categories. Three of the largest occupations were office and administrative support jobs, helping to make office and administrative support the largest occupational group overall, representing 17 percent of total employment. The next largest groups were sales and related occupations and food preparation and serving related occupations, which made up about 11 and 9 percent of U.S. employment, respectively. ( http://www.bls.gov/news.release/ocwage.htm )
Employment in administrative services occupations is projected to grow about as fast as the average . Secretaries and administrative assistants will have among the largest number of job openings due to growth and the need to replace workers who transfer to other occupations, including exceptionally skilled executive secretaries and administrative assistants who often move into professional occupations. Job opportunities should be best for applicants with extensive knowledge of computer software applications, with experience as a secretary or administrative assistant, or with advanced communication and computer skills. Applicants with a bachelor's degree will be in great demand to act more as managerial assistants and to perform more complex tasks.
Employment of secretaries and administrative assistants is expected to increase by 11 percent, which is about as fast as the average for all occupations, between 2008 and 2018. Projected employment varies by occupational specialty ( http://www.bls.gov/oco/ocos151.htm ).
Gainful employment reporting (Computer Apps Practitioner)
Beginning July 1, 2011, the U.S. Department of Education began requiring colleges to disclose a variety of information for any financial aid eligible certification program that “prepares students for gainful employment in a recognized occupation.” The information provided here represents only one year’s data but will be updated as more information becomes available.
For MCC’s Computer Applications in Business Practitioner program, of the 2 program completers in FY12 who responded to a survey, 2 were employed in a related or unrelated field at the time of the survey, for a respondent placement rate of 100%. It took the completers two terms to finish the program, for an on-time program completion rate of 50%. Median loan debt of the completers was not reported.
College cost information can be found online at http://www.iavalley.edu/mcc/financial_aid/costs.html.
If you have questions about the data provided and what it means to you as a student, please contact Angie Redmond at 641-844-5712. Additional information about computer applications in business and computer applications in business careers can be found on the O*Net website at http://www.onetonline.org/crosswalk/CIP?s=computer+applications&g=Go.
Gainful employment reporting (Microsoft Office Specialist)
Beginning July 1, 2011, the U.S. Department of Education began requiring colleges to disclose a variety of information for any financial aid eligible certification program that “prepares students for gainful employment in a recognized occupation.” The information provided here represents only one year’s data but will be updated as more information becomes available.
There were no program completers FY12 in MCC’s Microsoft Office Specialist program.
College cost information can be found online at http://www.iavalley.edu/mcc/financial_aid/costs.html.
If you have questions about the data provided and what it means to you as a student, please contact Angie Redmond at 641-844-5712. Additional information about Microsoft office specialists and Microsoft office specialist careers can be found on the O*Net website at http://www.onetonline.org/crosswalk/CIP?s=computer+applications&g=Go.
What/Where the jobs are
Numerous job categories exist in this field and include the following:
· Accounting Technician and Bookkeeping
· Administrative Assistant and Executive Secretary
· Business/Office Technology/Data Entry
· Computer Applications/Desktop Publishing
· Customer Support/Library Services
· General Office Occupations and Clerical Services
· Health Unit Coordinator/Ward Clerk
· Information and Database Support
· Legal Administrative Assistant/Secretary
· Logistics and Materials Support
· Medical Secretary
· Medical Insurance Specialist/Medical Biller
· Medical Health Management and Clinical Assistant
· Order Clerks
· Office Management and Supervision
· Transportation Support
Large concentrations of this occupation are found in these industries:
· Educational services, private (NAICS611000) (12.4%)
· Finance and insurance (NAICS520000) (9.9%)
· State and local government (9%)
· Administrative and support services (NAICS561000) (6.9%)
Degrees awarded
Associate in Arts (AA)
Associate in Applied Science (AAS)
Diploma
Degree requirements
Click here for curriculum information.
Program contact
Brenda Woodward, Brenda.Woodward@iavalley.edu
You can get more information about MCC's Computer Applications in Business program including placement and salary information by clicking here.