Employers in the district can’t get enough of Canadore College’s Office Administration graduates. It’s ironic that when the demand is so strong there aren’t enough office professionals to go around.

Cindy Bethune, head of the special initiatives section at the Ministry of Transportation, said office administration is definitely worth considering as a career. She volunteers as liaison between Canadore College and Ontario Public Service offices in North Bay, and says potential students should take a closer look at this type of training. ‘The role of the office professional has changed substantially over the years. People don’t realize just how much the administrative assistant takes care of or how much power that role has.’ Cindy favours the placement element of the program for its mutual benefits: an office gets to size up students as potential employees, and promising placement students are often contacted about the opportunity to apply for positions. They use all the competencies learned in the Office Administration program and, under the guidance of a mentor, they get additional hands-on experience in day-to-day office tasks such as preparing shipments for a courier or receiving tender bids. They can learn about job openings in the north as well, and be reassured that they don’t have to move away to find work. Cindy’s only concern is that there aren’t enough students to go around. She and her colleagues in public service have placed as many students as they can get and are eager to continue the relationship with the college. She said, ‘We’ve been very satisfied with the quality of the students that have come to us from Canadore’s Office Administration program. They definitely have a future.’

Employers know they’re getting value when they hire a college graduate. Community college programs offer curriculum that has met the strict standards of the College Standards and Accreditation Council as approved by the Ministry of Education and Training. College faculty are experts in their field with strong educational and work experience. They are the best role models aspiring office professionals could have.

The Office Administration faculty understand the uncertainty returning to school as a mature student. Yvonne Damore, who became a grandmother the same year she became a college student, said the faculty helped her through that anxiety in the first week of the program. ‘They were amazing. They made us feel that we were the best group they’d ever had, and they were always there supporting us.’

In the first year of the program, students get the basics they need to contribute meaningfully to an office environment, no matter what their eventual specialization. The accelerated format offers many advantages. There’s the shorter timeframe, for one. Students attend classes from 8:30 am to 4:30 pm every day, essentially doubling their classroom time compared to a normal college semester, and complete the year in half the time. That means savings in the cost of travel, food and accommodation. It also gets them out to work more quickly. It’s an intensive four months that gives them a greater understanding of the challenges of full-time employment, and helps them organize their time and personal responsibilities as they would have to in a full-time employment situation.

The next two semesters offer electives in legal and medical office administration and advanced-level training in software applications, along with problem-solving and critical and creative thinking. There’s emphasis on interpersonal and human relations skills and customer service to enable graduates to meet the requirements in business, legal or medical environments. Heather Racicot, who graduated from Office Administration-Medical in 1998 and now works in a law office, said, ‘The fundamentals are what I use every day – time management, social interaction, writing and computer skills – they’re all transferable.’

Students finish the program with first-rate skills and a strong work ethic. Employer feedback attests to this. Karen Morin, who works in patient registration at the North Bay General Hospital, said that Canadore placement students have superior interview and job readiness skills and a high degree of professionalism. Many have gone on to part-time or full-time employment with the hospital, and Karen said, ‘They have proven to be valued members of our health care team.’

Whether going to college right out of secondary school or after many years away from school, students credit much of their success to the enthusiasm and support of the professors. The faculty exude professionalism and never stop working on behalf of their students. They have long-established networking relationships with local employers, enhancing placement and employment opportunities.

Sarah Fitzgerald wondered if her lack of work experience would be a drawback and was pleasantly surprised that it wasn’t. She was linked with J.S. Redpath Limited for her placement, and hired after her graduation in December 1999. She felt her interview preparation during the program was particularly helpful. And, though there was a bit of a learning curve, she felt capable of making a meaningful contribution to her employer right from the start.

Another advantage of Sarah’s participation in Office Administration was the potential for advanced standing in a program at Nipissing University. She, like many other students, benefits from a 2003 agreement between the college and university to find degree completion pathways for all Canadore College diploma programs. With her employer’s support, Sarah decided to pursue a human resources degree on a part-time basis. Though she works full-time and is a busy mother of three children, the incentive of credits for some of her Office Administration courses convinced her to continue her studies.

Patti Winsor wasn’t sure she’d be capable of learning anything new after many years away from school. Just completing her program in December, she says she amazed herself right from the start, especially in computer skills, and loved her skyrocketing confidence. She’ll soon be applying to a number of potential employers for jobs, but would really like to continue working where she has been doing her placement: right at Canadore College.

Many graduates feel an ongoing connection to the program, too. Heather serves on the program advisory committee and has recently accepted the role of chair. One of her goals is to bring her on-the-job learning back to the committee to ensure that the program evolves as workplaces change.

Prospects for employment following graduation from the Office Administration programs are excellent. The calibre of community college graduates puts them squarely in line with higher-paying positions and opportunities for advancement. Professor Carole Laperrière wishes there were even more applicants for the program so that she could satisfy the demand among local employers for skilled office professionals. She said graduates are working in many different types of offices locally, provincially and nationally – in business and professional settings, government agencies, hospitals and health care facilities, legal and law enforcement offices, municipal offices and corporations. ‘The January intake for this program offers a way to celebrate both the new year and the launch of an exciting career in office administration!’

No one need feel timid about enquiring about the program or going to college. Carole said once a prospective student is through the door, the rest is easy. A relaxed talk about the program and application process, tour of the campus, introduction to faculty and staff, and the possibility of a ‘shadow day’ with a current student can all help reduce anxiety about becoming a college student. And at the end of the program, there’s a rewarding future as an office professional.

For more information, visit
• Office Administration
• Office Administration - General
or contact

Margia Ferguson
Professor/Coordinator
Office Administration Programs
(705) 474-7600 ext. 5646
margia.ferguson@canadorec.on.ca