Choosing trade school for office-related careers

I'm thinking about attending a trade school to prepare for an office job. What types of office roles can trade schools train you for, and what's the job market like for these positions?

Trade schools can definitely help prepare you for a variety of office-related careers. Courses can range from administrative and secretarial roles where you'll be taught valuable skills such as data management, record keeping, and customer service, to more specialized careers such as paralegal or accounting related roles. It should be noted, though, that while trade schools can provide a great jumping-off point for these careers, some may require further education or certification.

Courses that focus on business administration, for instance, can help prepare students for a range of roles like office managers, operations managers, and administrative services managers. Typically, these courses would cover areas such as accounting, finance, human resources, and information systems management.

For prospective legal secretaries or paralegals, some trade schools offer legal studies or paralegal studies programs. In these programs, you'd likely learn about the legal system, ethics, legal writing, and may even delve into specifics like family law or criminal law.

If you're interested in a financial role, like an accounting clerk or bookkeeper, relevant courses might cover general ledger keeping, financial reporting, and tax preparation. Certification can also be an important step for roles like bookkeeper and can give you an edge in the job market.

Speaking of the job market, the Bureau of Labor Statistics suggests that roles like office managers and administrative services managers are projected to grow around average compared to other occupations, while roles like bookkeeping, accounting, and auditing clerks are expected to decline slightly due to automation. Paralegal and legal assistant roles, on the other hand, are projected to grow faster than average.

These trends can of course shift due to various factors, such as changes in government policy, the economy, or advances in technology, but generally, office-related careers tend to have a stable presence in the job market.

You'll want to research specific job markets and ensure the training you receive aligns with the requirements of your desired role. Be sure to also look into potential salary ranges to help guide your decision. Remember, more specialized roles and those requiring additional education or certification may bring higher salaries and career advancement opportunities.