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What To Learn

High School

What high school courses should you take if you're interested in this career? Get your answers from the Business Management and Administration cluster Administrative Services pathway.

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Community colleges and universities across America offer a variety of diploma and degree programs in administration and management. Consider a diploma or degree in business management, business administration or finance.

Students should gear their education to the type of industry they are interested in working in. For example, if you want to work in the medical field, consider a degree in health management.

"You don't have to have an extensive post-secondary education, but it helps," says Sheila Dickens. She is an assistant vice-president and office manager for a major bank. "At the very least, you'll need a high school diploma and plenty of office and clerical experience. It's possible to work your way up from the bottom.

"I am a high school graduate with no college diploma," she says. "But I took a few courses. I worked my way up in the bank."

The International Association of Administrative Professionals has a related certification program and a student membership section.

The accrediting agency for U.S. schools of business and management education is the American Assembly of Collegiate Schools of Business.