Index

What is Business Technology?

Picture yourself in an office setting interacting with many different people. Each workday you are involved with business concepts, business communications, computers, software applications, technical office skills, and a variety of office equipment. This active and high-tech environment describes work in the modern office of today.

What skills do I need to be successful in this field?

You must enjoy working with others and making full use of your communication skills. People who are successful in this field like to apply their computer and software knowledge, as well as format and edit business documents. Those who excel are determined, motivated and enthusiastic about change. If you possess these qualities, then the office is a good career environment for you!

What Business Technology programs are offered at SFCC?

• Business and Software Applications (3 quarter certificate)
• Office Assistant (3 quarter certificate)
• Computing - Software Applications (3 quarter certificate)
• Administrative Secretary (6 quarter A.A.S. degree)
• Information Processing (6-quarter A.A.S. degree)
• Administrative/ Computer Specialist (6 quarter A.A.S. degree)
• Certified Professional Secretary (by non-traditional means)

The Office Assistant Certificate requires three quarters to complete and gives you a working knowledge of office procedures and techniques. If you need to update your office skills or find office employment quickly, this is the program for you! Other certificate options include Business and Software Applications and Computing - Software Applications.

The Administration Secretary and the Information Processing options incorporate the office assistant curriculum. These programs allow you to expand on this basic knowledge and excel in one or several areas. The secretarial option adds courses in alphabetic shorthand and transcription. The information processing option requires an extensive proficiency in keyboarding, formatting and editing using the latest in software and computer applications. Students explore Desktop Publishing concepts and using the Internet.

The Administrative/ Computer Specialist curriculum is designed to prepare students for careers as management information specialists, salespersons for vendors or retailers of microcomputer hardware and software, and technical support specialists. The advanced classes develop skills in microcomputer applications for business systems, operating systems, and local area networks. Topics include programming system software concepts, using applications packages, database concepts, telecommunications, and support of end users.

Students in all of these six-quarter office administration options polish their business communication skills through letter and report writing. They also become experts at using popular word processing and spreadsheet software. Upon completion, they receive an A.A.S. degree.

What courses will I take at SFCC?

To gain Business Technology skills, you'll enroll in keyboarding and formatting classes using the latest versions of popular business software programs. You'll learn word processing desktop publishing, spreadsheeting, and e-mail.

To enhance your office knowledge, you'll take additional classes in business communications and correspondence, records information management, business math and accounting.

You'll also gain practical experience and the ability to discuss job and career opportunities through cooperative education seminars, work experience, internship classes, and a job preparation course.

What careers are available?

There is continued strong demand for administrative and office support professionals. As technology continues to play a major part in the job descriptions of these positions, many new jobs will be available in a variety of industries. Opportunities abound in a wide range of positions for Business Technology graduates. As businesses seek to maximize the productivity and efficiency throughout their operations, advancement opportunities are wide open for graduates of the Business Technology program.

Examples of job titles include:

Besides getting a degree, how can I document what I have learned?

Microsoft Office Specialist (MOS) Certification Program
The Microsoft Office Specialist (MOS) certification program provides employers a standard by which to assess skill levels in the various Microsoft Office products. Students gain marketable skills and will be able to document their abilities using the MOS certification.

Becoming a Microsoft Office Specialist (MOS) documents skills needed to drive a wide range of desktop computing tasks to completion with the kind of efficiency that businesses need and employers notice.

The Business Technology Department at Spokane Falls Community college has classes to teach skills needed for the MOS exams and tools to assess a student's readiness. Please call Gwen Eltz at 533-3486 for more information.

Proficiency Certificates
In addition to the degrees and certificates awarded by SFCC, the Business Technology Department awards Recognition of Proficiency certificates in a variety of areas including business writing, office management, keyboarding and business document formatting, and information processing. In order to receive a Recognition of Proficiency Certificate, a student must complete a pre-determined list of courses with a minimum grade of 3.0. Please call Linda Roth at 533-3693 for more information.

What will I able to earn in this field?

The type of work you do, your level of skill and technology, and the location of the business you work for will play a key role in the salary you receive. Entry-level positions usually start above the minimum-wage level, and advancement is usually rewarded with pay raises. The average pay range for competent administrative support professionals is $1,500 to $2,500 per month.