In many ways, choosing a career in office administration means choosing to be at the core of an organization's operations. Lambton College's Office Administration - General program is ideal for those looking to develop their organizational, professional business, technical, and communication skills. It is an excellent stepping stone to a great career in office administration, offering students the required administrative support knowledge that will enhance the very important entry-level role in any office to be successful.

With a wide variety of hands-on practical experience such as, learning to expertly use a series of Microsoft Office programs, general accounting, fundamental office skills and soft skills for effective communication, graduates of this program are fully trained to meet the demands of today's challenging work environments. Graduates with these skills have the advantage of experiencing a range of work opportunities because these skills are highly transferable.

The General program is also a common year for the two-year diploma programs, so students who wish to further their acquired skills and obtain specialization before taking employment can automatically enter the second year of either the Office Administration - Health Services or Executive programs. Students who choose to further their education by registering for year two in either specialty are strongly encouraged to register for CPL-1003 Internship in Term 4 to gain work experience in an office.

Office Administration students have opportunities throughout Lambton College to gain experience and grow their portfolios through participating in various activities to build their co-curricular records. General students indicate their program develops their computer skills; likewise, these students say their main goal for enrolling was to prepare for employment.

Experiential Learning Opportunities

Office Administration General students are often sought after to fill internal College work study. If they return for second year, they are often sought out for EBAT office positions as well as a range of summer office positions all over Lambton County. These opportunities provide even more practical office experience and are paid. Experiential learning such as participating in business meetings to learn and apply the essentials of meeting planning, preparation and minute taking takes place during the program. General Office Administration students apply their skills in simulated project settings and demonstrate, tech savvy skills with the latest technology and finesse in interpersonal interactions.

Job opportunities in this field are available in virtually every city. From hospital settings to medical clinics, and health and wellness offices, or from petrochemical to manufacturing, and small business to non-profit, or from education to government our students graduate with many employment options and are able to customize their careers based on their interests.

Employment Opportunities

Many of our graduates use the Office Administration - General certificate program as a foundation for their careers in a business setting. They are able to demonstrate the basic skills needed to perform routine tasks to effectively and efficiently contribute in a variety of office settings. Graduates will be prepared for entry-level positions such as office assistants, front desk coordinators, or customer service representatives in business, industry and government.

For both future careers and moving into the second year of either the Office Administration - Health Services or Office Administration - Executive programs, students from the General program have a solid foundation of office procedures including practical experience using the Microsoft Office Suite that are transferable to most occupations today.

Start date: Sarnia campus: September - Open.