One of the great aspects about studying for a career as a secretary is the fact that secretarial skills are vocational, which means students aren’t locked into the traditional learning methodologies used by college and university establishments.
Indeed, secretarial careers usually have a requirement for non-degree level diploma qualifications and certain leading institutes, such as Pitman Training in London, run training centres offering flexi-study.
Essentially, a Pitman Training centre will enable the student to start a course at any time and study at hours to suit him or her during their long opening hours.
There is no fixed timetable and the training is delivered with a mixture of computer based and one-to-one teaching.
For working students, this is a very convenient way to learn because unlike traditional classes, programmes are tailored around the availability of the student.
And students can turn their coursework on and off according to the other demands on their time.
A secretary course is particularly well suited to this style of study because a great deal of self-paced practice is required to meet the standards required for jobs, especially where typing and shorthand are concerned.
Aiming Higher.
Some students decide to go further than a general secretary course and opt for a Medical Secretarial Course, Legal Secretary Certificate or Executive PA Diploma to enable them to enjoy even higher status and better paid professions.
A further attraction of this type of education is that the training centre has fewer students than a traditional college so the tutors look after everything, from watching the students’ posture while typing to resource management information.
All the student has to think about is the secretary course itself.
What Kind Of Person Takes A Secretary Course?
Shilpa Wymer, Principal of Pitman Training London claims they come from all walks of life.
“We have lots of people who are working in bars or coffee shops who want to better themselves, as well as mothers returning to work and a number of younger students who have decided to get a real career rather than just taking any old job."
" And during the recession, we even had a few who had previously been in senior management and were taking the opportunity to retrain.“ she says.
“Many come from overseas and they have identified that a secretarial career in London is really something rather special. The common theme among the students is that they are all ambitious,” she adds.
“Many of them work irregular shifts which means they couldn’t attend traditional classes anyway, so our system lets them gain a valuable diploma despite the other demands on their time."
Which Subjects Will Fit Around My Work Commitments?
Fortunately nearly every secretary course will fit around a student’s availability as each subject is delivered in modular style so you can turn a lesson on and off as you need and even repeat lessons if you wish.
As a secretary, you will certainly need to learn typing, audio transcription, Word, Excel and Outlook as well as letter layout, minute-taking and possibly even shorthand.
In addition, there are many other areas to learn which will add value to your secretarial career and make you even more in-demand in the job market.
How Can I Find Out More?
The first step is to find a training centre near your home or work (visit www.holborntraining.co.uk) and ask to visit them to discuss your future with a Course Advisor.
You’ll be glad you did.
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