Administration Part Time Student Jobs

Why work in admin?

Admin and data entry work is crucial to the smooth day to day running of many businesses and organisations. The larger the organisation, the larger the amount of data and information there will be that will need to be sorted, categorised and presented for decision makers. Administration work is a good way to get a first step into the corporate world while still studying (especially if you haven’t been able to secure an internship yet). In these jobs you will have an important coordinating and information-updating role to play, and you will have the opportunity to meet people who may be useful contacts for your future career.

Jobs in admin and data entry are often highly sought-after, since they often offer opportunities for career progression in the organisation (if you perform well), they are not physically strenuous, they teach skills that are useful in the corporate world and they pay well. The median hourly rate for data entry is around $19/hr while the median rate for administration is around $21/hr.

Part-time admin jobs

• Receptionist
  While it may seem that receptionists have easy work, it’s a busy job that requires a lot of multi-tasking, as receptionists are expected to meet customers, book meetings, take and forward phone calls, sorting and distributing post and organising couriers – as well as (depending on the size of the company) sometimes taking on administrative roles like ordering for the office, updating customer information and dealing with complaints.
• Clerk
  Clerical work usually involves a lot of research, gathering information from various primary and secondary sources for management decision making and projects, filing, photocopying and scanning, managing and distributing post and keeping databases updated.
• Office administrator
  The role of the office administrator often overlaps with a receptionist or clerk, but typically involves more responsibility and variety. As well as the work listed above for the other office roles, an administrator can also be called upon to order stationary, health materials and supplies; take bookings from clients; manage the schedules of superiors and maintain office equipment.
• Data entry clerk
  Data entry clerks are responsible for updating computer databases with information – either in the form of text, numerical data in spreadsheets or qualitative personal information. This job, understandably, requires strong computer skills – proficiency with Excel especially is a must! This job often has good mobility – data entry clerks often become IT technicians or customer service advisors. 

What kind of skills do you need to work in admin?

Administration requires good written and verbal communication skills, proficiency with basic computer software like Word and Excel (and possibly more complex software depending on the role and the organisation). Much of the training required for administrators is provided on the job. A friendly attitude and professional demeanour is also important, especially for receptionists, as they are often customers’ first point of contact with the organisation. As administrators have to handle private documents and sensitive information it is also necessary to be able to prove yourself trustworthy.

What kind of companies offer admin jobs?

All but the smallest businesses and organisations require administration. The job sector spans the entire economy – from manufacturing, retail, hospitality, tourism and the law, to NGOs, healthcare, media and the public sector.

What will you learn in admin?

• Teamwork
• Written communication
• Time management
• IT skills
• Insight into the background running of the company
• Systematising
• Responsibility