Office Administration

How to Get Real Experience for Real Life Careers

Business theory is one thing. Business reality is our thing at Algonquin College. As a student, you’ll go beyond theory and gain the practical skills employers want.

At Algonquin, we believe in providing our students with practical education and experiences that set them on the fast track to career success. We do this a number of ways:

  • Hands-On Experience
  • Internships and Field Placements
  • Co-op Program
  • Opportunity to Qualify for Professional Designations

Hands-On Experience

Learn how people think, how and why people purchase items and what motivates people in our Marketing and Business Intelligence Research program. To hone your skills, you’ll work with real clients in real time and conduct market research from start to finish.

If you’ve ever thought about starting your own business, our Management and Entrepreneurship program gives you the knowledge and skills you need. In fact, in the final semester you’ll develop a detailed business plan that you can use to start your own business!

Many of our programs teach you how to master key Microsoft Office programs and other industry-standard software packages. You’ll be prepared to jump right into a job with no need for extra training on these programs.

Our Office Administration students participate in office simulations to help gain an understanding of day-to-day office operations and develop problem-solving skills.

Internships and Field Placements

A number of the School of Business programs provide the chance for students to participate in an internship or field placement. Qualified students studying Human Resources Management have the opportunity to complete an internship in their final semester.

Paralegal students complete 15 weeks of coursework in their fourth semester and then gain real-world experience with a four-week unpaid field placement.

Marketing Management students complete a field placement that involves developing a marketing plan and strategy for a real-world organization.

Do you have a passion for sports? Turn that into a dream career with our Sport Business Management program. You’ll also work a minimum of 16 hours per week within the sport industry, gaining valuable skills and professional connections.

Co-op Program

We also offer students in certain programs the chance to take part in a co-op placement where they turn their knowledge into on-the-job experience.

Learn the unique procedures and practices of health care offices for a career as a Medical Office Assistant. In the third and fourth semesters, our students participate in field assignments to help develop their practical skills.

The Bachelor of Applied Business (e-Business Supply Chain Management) program includes industry-related team and individual projects, as well as three mandatory co-op placements. Combined with part-time work, you could graduate with 1.5 years of professional experience, making for a seamless transition into your full-time career.

Opportunity to Qualify for Professional Designations

Getting a professional designation shows future employers that you are legally qualified to do the work you were trained for. Usually there are specific courses you need to take in order to get your professional designation. At Algonquin, we’re making sure you’re getting the most out of your program.

Graduates of the International Business Management program meet the academic requirements for the Certified International Trade Professional (CITP) designation.

Our Paralegal program prepares you for a professional career in this industry. It is accredited by the Law Society of Upper Canada and when you graduate you can to apply to the Society to become licensed.

Organizational Quality Management graduates meet the educational requirement needed to write the certification exams for a number of designations sponsored by the American Society for Quality (ASQ).

If you are looking for an institution that cares, gives great hands-on learning and provides you with opportunities for careers and continuing your education then you have found just that. — Sebastien Lylyk, Marketing Graduate

Find a Career that Fits You

Organized people are a special breed. Take a look at someone’s office or desk and you’ll usually be able tell whether they have the “gift” of organization or not. The neat piles and color-coded files are a dead give-away!

Of course, people who are organized have other abilities as well, such as:

  • Possess critical-thinking skills.
  • Are curious, well-organized and have an analytical nature.
  • Like analyzing and solving problems.
  • Are organized in their work and pay attention to detail.
  • Seek variety and opportunity in their career.
  • Can work independently.

To help you see what possible career avenues you have, we’ve identified five “personality types” – leader, outgoing, helping people, organized, and analytical. Each type has options for an appropriate career path.

business careers

Note: In previous posts, I’ve talked about possible careers for people who are leaders, those who are outgoing, and individuals who like to help people.

As the image above shows, possible careers for organized individuals include jobs in business administration, office administration, accounting, finance, and materials and operations management.

Administration

Algonquin College’s program in Office Administration prepares students for a career in helping to make an office run smoothly or providing support for an executive. The program emphasizes the development of strong technical, communications and human relations skills. Students gain practical experience in the classroom through simulated office situations.

Accounting

Individuals who have strong analytical, problem-solving and critical-thinking skills could be well suited for a career in accounting.

Our two-year Business-Accounting program prepares students to work in various areas of accounting including financial accounting, managerial accounting, taxation, and auditing. Students get a general business background and expand their theoretical knowledge of economics, law, finance and statistics. Students also learn the basics of a number of accounting and business computer software packages.

Get on-the-job experience!

Qualified students can participate in an optional work placement that provides practical experience in the accounting departments of Ottawa area based businesses and in the public and private sectors.

Graduates may be granted some credits toward the requirements of the Certified General Accountants (CGA) Association program of professional studies.

Finance

Do you love playing with numbers and providing expert advice? You might love a career in the financial industry (financial planning, personal banking, investment, and insurance advising).

Our three-year Advanced Diploma Business Administration program with a Major in Finance gives you a strong foundation for success in this industry. You’ll also have a chance to network with business professionals and employers.

The program prepares graduates to meet the high proficiency standards needed to complete the professional designations and licensing courses in the financial services industry.

If you’re currently working in the finance or a related industry and are interested in career advancement, our one-year Graduate Certificate in Financial Services gives you a leg up. You’ll develop a professional portfolio and participate in field placements.

Graduates of the Algonquin College Financial Services program can be licensed to sell mutual funds by their employer; are qualified to challenge the first exam of the Certified Financial Planner (CFP) professional certification and are prepared for the Provincial Life Licence Qualification (LLQP) examination. Successful completion of Personal Financial Services Advice, Financial Planning I and Canadian Securities Course I qualifies students for a Certificate in Financial Services Advice from the Canadian Securities Institute (CSI).

Put your skills to use!

Grads may find employment as financial advisors in a broad range of the financial institutions including retail banks, credit unions, financial planning offices, insurance companies, brokerage firms, and other businesses dedicated to providing personal financial advice and services.

Materials & Operations Management

If you like to analyze and solve problems, working in Materials & Operations Management may be just the career for you!

Your training as part of the Materials and Operations Management Major involves many facets of supply chain management including purchasing, production planning, inventory management, logistics, distribution, and project management.

Qualified students also get the chance to put their theoretical knowledge to work in a coop placement.

Graduates find employment in supply chain positions for public and private organizations including high technology industries, such as communications, fibre optics, bio­technology, and electronic manufacturing.

What’s more, graduates obtain a certificate from SAP, the world’s largest supplier of enterprise software, and have direct hands-on knowledge of SAP supply chain software.

How will you use your organizational skills? Share in the comments!

Like to Help Others? Consider a Career in Business

What color is your parachute? This guide for job seekers is one of the most popular books for people looking to start or change their career. One of the main points of the guide is that people should figure out what they do best and what they enjoy doing (usually these are the same thing).

To help you out, we’ve identified five “types” – leader, outgoing, helping people, organized, and analytical – and the personal traits associated with them. The traits each type has lead towards different career paths.

business careers

In previous posts, I’ve talked about possible careers for people who are leaders and those who are outgoing. This post focuses on individuals who like to help people.

Often nursing, social worker, personal support worker, and therapist are some careers proposed to people who like to help others. However, there are many jobs within the world of business that deal with helping people, such as human resources, marketing, law, business administration and office administration.

Human resources professionals work with employees to help them achieve high levels of job satisfaction. They also can become specialized in health and safety or rewards and recognition.

In Algonquin’s one-year Graduate Certificate program in Human Resources Management or our three-year Advanced Diploma in Business Administration with a major in Human Resources Management qualified students can complete an unpaid work placement at the end of the program. Participating in this placement gives students practice and experience in real world organizations along with building their professional network.

Those who like to help can do well in a career in marketing. Marketers are sought out for their expertise and ability in helping companies improve their image or increase their sales. Marketers can make a tangible difference in helping business owners succeed.

As part of our one-year Certificate program in Marketing Management, students complete a field placement as consultants to develop a marketing plan and strategy for a Canadian or international organization. They gain real world experience and build connections with industry leaders.

Law is another area where individuals who enjoy helping others can achieve success. This field requires excellent interpersonal and human relations skills, and ability to be organized and detail-oriented.

Our two-year Ontario College Diploma program prepares graduates for employment as law clerks. Law clerks, who work under the general direction of a lawyer or paralegal, perform routine legal and administrative duties and also help lawyers and paralegals by conducting a variety of legal functions.

Qualified students can participate in a coop placement in the winter term of second year that allows them to gain valuable and practical experience in the field.

Algonquin’s program in Office Administration prepares students for a career in helping to make an office run smoothly or providing support for an executive. The program emphasizes the development of strong technical, communications and human relations skills. Students gain practical experience in the classroom through simulated office situations.

These are just a few examples of the many ways a people with a strong “helper” personality can find a career fit in the business world.

What field of business appeals to you? Share in the comments!

What Type of Business Person are YOU?

Every organization needs talented business people to succeed. However, not all business people are created equal — or at least, not all business people can perform all jobs equally well! There are a variety of positions within business that favour specific skill sets.

We’ve identified five “types” and the personal traits associated with them. Each type of business person is ideally suited for different roles within the corporate world: leader, outgoing, helping people, organized, and analytical.

business careers

Let’s Take a Look at Leader

Do you usually find yourself in a position of leadership? Are people often looking to you to provide guidance? Do you enjoy leading a team of people?

Here are some traits a leader should possess:

  • Has integrity
  • Able to see peoples’ strengths and know how to use them
  • Is positive and encouraging
  • Good listener
  • Passionate

Of course, traits alone don’t guarantee success. Beyond these personal traits, there are specific skills to master in order to be an effective leader:

  • Communication – A leader must be able to communicate in a manner that gets people to work toward a common goal.
  • Motivation – A leader understands the team dynamic by knowing each person’s strengths and weaknesses and how to motivate them. A good leader will use each person in a position that makes the most of their strengths.
  • Planning – A leader has a plan to achieve the goal. He/she is able to view scenarios from a high level and not get too bogged down by the details.
  • Delegation – A great leader acknowledges that he/she can’t do everything and is be able to delegate effectively.

Check out Ben Yoskovitz’s blog for a list of more leadership skills.

Leaders are concerned with developing others to reach their potential, and use that potential to reach the corporate goal. Here is a great video that helps to explain what leaders focus on: top 10 differences between managers and leaders. Often, leadership traits are most easily recognized in Small and Medium-sized Enterprises (SMEs).

SMEs are the fastest growing sector of the economy, internationally and locally. Strong leadership skills are essential for running a successful business, whether as an entrepreneur or part of a senior management team. If you’ve considered owning a business or working for an SME, check out our diploma program in Management and Entrepreneurship.

If you’ve given thought to a career in international business, our graduates find employment opportunities in a wide range of international fields including government, banking, financial services, industry, logistics, supply chain management, marketing, sales, and management consulting.