Become an Administrator

An administrator is responsible for carrying out the management of a business or organization. You can be an administrator in any field, including healthcare, education, or business. Learning to lead effectively involves pursuing the right education, and succeeding as an administrator requires that you continually increase your knowledge and experience and find the right administrative job for you.

Steps

Starting with the Right Education

  1. Choose what type of administrator you would like to be. You can become an administrator in almost any field that requires managing people and processes, including education, healthcare, and IT. Whatever you choose, you will have to think about developing the necessary skills for administration and your particular field.
    • Healthcare administrators must know the details of how the healthcare system and hospitals function.
    • Office administrators must provide general administrative support and ensure that the office or department in their charge runs smoothly and efficiently.[1]
  2. Take a variety of classes in high school to build a solid foundation. Succeeding an administrator requires a diverse set of skills. You’ll need to communicate well and know your way around a computer. Taking a diverse range of classes can also help you narrow down what type of administrator you would like to be.
    • Take a communication class or any business-related classes if they are offered at your school. Join a public speaking or debate club at your school if you want to enhance your communication skills even more. Communication is one of the most important skills an administrator can develop.
    • Give yourself a solid foundation in basic math. Every administrator has some bookkeeping responsibilities, so it’s a good idea to feel comfortable with math.[2]
  3. Get a bachelor’s degree to meet the minimum educational requirement. Having a bachelor’s degree is key for any administrative position. Study business or something related to the field you would like to work in.[3]
    • If you want to be an administrator but are not sure what field you would like to work in yet, taking a degree in business administration is a great foundation. You can specialize later by taking a master’s degree or a getting certified in the specific field of your choice.
  4. Take a master’s degree if you want to be extra competitive on the job market. Although a bachelor’s degree likely meets the minimum educational requirement of many administrator positions, you will be more competitive on the job market with a higher-level degree. Many senior-level management positions are only available for people who have completed graduate school.[4]
    • A master’s in business administration or a similar field would be a good choice for any administrative position. The coursework in your master’s degree should include statistical reasoning, microeconomics, budgeting and management, and classes on legal and ethical issues in business.[5]
    • School administrators typically must take a master’s degree and gain 2-3 years of teaching experience to advance to an administrative position.[6] If you would like to be an administrator at a college or university, you will be expected to take a doctoral degree.[7]
    • Many healthcare administrators have master’s degrees in a health-related field, such as public health or healthcare administration, or a master’s degree in business administration and relevant healthcare experience.

Gaining Additional Knowledge

  1. Earn key certifications to increase your management proficiency. Not all positions will require certification, but having a certificate in administration shows that you have specific knowledge and proficiency in management. You may also consider taking a certificate in finance or informatics.[8]
    • Certain fields of administration may have specific certificates that are recommended or required. For example, healthcare administrators can take certificates in healthcare administration or even healthcare finance.[9]
  2. Join industry organizations to build your network. Find out if there are any professional organizations you can join in your industry. This will give you access to events in your field. You can also find good contacts for advice or employment opportunities by reaching out to fellow members.
    • List any professional organizations you are a member of on your resume, too. It shows your potential employer that you are already part of the professional community.
  3. Attend conferences and events to get exposure. Attending events, especially those where there will be a variety of speakers, can help you learn about standards and procedures in your field. You will also be able to speak personally to other experts, including potential employers.
    • If you are already working in management or pursuing a graduate degree, you should also consider applying to give presentations at conferences. You can gain exposure and receive valuable feedback on your ideas.
  4. Subscribe to relevant journals to stay informed about current trends. Seek out online or print journals that publish articles relevant to your field. Reading the most popular journals in your field will keep you up-to-date on industry trends.
    • Even if you are still studying to become an administrator, if you feel like you have an original or interesting idea to contribute to the professional community, submit an article for publication in a journal that accepts submissions from students. It will give you even more exposure, and it will likely impress a potential employer.

Learning to Lead Well

  1. Understand the technical skills required. You will need to have excellent computer skills and be a master of organization to succeed as an administrator. You will also likely need to have a great understanding of bookkeeping.
    • You may feel you already have the necessary skills, but it’s best to continually develop and refine these skills to succeed as an administrator.
  2. Develop your communication skills to manage people with ease. Good communication is one of the most important skills an administrator can have. As an administrator, you will need to be able to communicate efficiently and empathetically with your staff and peers.[10]
    • Some people are naturally skilled communicators. But communicating well is a skill you can learn by taking courses or workshops.
  3. Gain experience in other roles in your industry to prepare for administration. Having experience in the industry is sometimes a requirement to advance to an administrative position. It is also a great way to gain a deeper understanding of how the industry works, which will be helpful if you want to lead well.
    • If you want to be a school administrator, you may have to start as an assistant to management or the principal to gain experience.[11]
    • Healthcare administrators can become an administrator in different ways. Many healthcare administrators work as administrative assistants or finance clerks before being promoted. Working in a clinical setting in a hospital is also a great way to gain the experience needed to be a healthcare administrator.[12]
  4. Seek out internships in management to learn from experts. Getting an internship where you will be assisting in management duties is a wonderful way to learn from an experienced administrator. You will be getting exposure to the industry and expanding your leadership skills.
    • Many internships can also turn into permanent positions. Even if you do not immediately become an administrator after your internship, you will still be gaining valuable experience that will help you seek out a promotion down the line.
  5. Focus on companies doing activities you enjoy. Tap into your personal interests and limitations when considering where you would like to work. If you are working for a company whose work you admire, you will be an even more successful administrator there.
    • Be mindful of your work environment as well. If you feel queasy around blood, hospital administration may not be the right career for you. If you love all things food and hospitality, seek out an administrative role in the restaurant industry.

References

  1. ↑ https://www.reed.co.uk/career-advice/how-to-become-an-administrator/
  2. ↑ https://careertrend.com/how-2068962-become-office-administrator.html
  3. ↑ https://www.reed.co.uk/career-advice/how-to-become-an-administrator
  4. ↑ https://www.learnhowtobecome.org/healthcare-administration/
  5. ↑ https://www.learnhowtobecome.org/healthcare-administration/
  6. ↑ https://www.teachercertificationdegrees.com/careers/school-administrator/
  7. ↑ https://www.teachercertificationdegrees.com/careers/school-administrator/
  8. ↑ https://www.learnhowtobecome.org/healthcare-administration/
  9. ↑ https://www.learnhowtobecome.org/healthcare-administration/
  10. ↑ https://hbr.org/1974/09/skills-of-an-effective-administrator
  11. ↑ https://www.teachercertificationdegrees.com/careers/school-administrator/
  12. ↑ https://www.learnhowtobecome.org/healthcare-administration/
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