SCC first in state to offer AAS degree in Virtual Office Assistance

SYLVA - Southwestern Community College recently became the first college in the state approved to offer an associate's degree concentration in Virtual Office Assistance through its existing Office Systems Technology program.

The concentration, which consists of 14 hours in courses such as e-commerce and office web technologies, will enhance the traditional office assistant skills students will obtain while earning their Associate of Applied Science degree in Office Systems Technology. The combination will prepare students to apply their office assistant skills to the cyber world, while maintaining their knowledge of traditional office environments.

Linda Talbott, instructor for Southwestern's Virtual Office Assistance Concentration, said, "This program will provide opportunities for graduates to perform interesting, meaningful work on their own terms. A career as a virtual assistant allows for non-traditional working hours and environments and it removes discriminating employment barriers."

Virtual Office Assistants, also called "VAs," are growing in popularity in today's "cyber frontier." The six-year-old profession offers services ranging from word-processing to web page management and has proven to be quite lucrative. VAs can expect to earn wages between $15 and $75 an hour.

Because their services can purchased on an as-needed basis, VAs provide a flexible, cost effective option that is increasingly in demand by small businesses.

"Southwestern is once again premiering a one-of-a-kind 21st Century degree. With the presence of new and emerging technologies, SCC is offering students a unique educational opportunity, which will allow them to work in the traditional setting or as a virtual entrepreneur. In today's technologically sophisticated world, it is imperative that students look to technology to secure a more productive, flexible and profitable future for themselves," said SCC President, Dr. Cecil Groves.

For additional information about SCC's concentration in Virtual Office Assistance, contact the Admissions Office at 586-4091 or (800) 447-4091, ext. 352 or visit www.southwesterncc.edu on the Internet.