What is a program assistant and how to become one

Q: How long does it take to become a Program Assistant?

It takes 3 years of professional experience to become a program assistant. That is the time it takes to learn specific program assistant skills, but does not account for time spent in formal education. If you include the normal education requirements to complete a college degree, then it takes 6 to 8 years years to become a program assistant.

Q: How can I be a good program assistant?

To be a good program assistant requires excellent communication skills, strong time management abilities, and keen attention to detail. Most program assistants are responsible for performing general office duties such as answering phone calls, keeping records, data entry, and addressing customer concerns.

Q: How do I get a job as an assistant?

To get a job as an assistant, you need to choose an area of work and prepare yourself to work for a professional in that field. Many professionals need assistants; therefore, the preparation to work under a professional depends on the chosen field of work.

Q: What are the qualifications to be an assistant?

The qualifications needed to be an assistant include a high school diploma and some prior related work experience. An assistant can work in many different industries (e.g., technology, academic, publishing) and on many different levels (e.g., assistant to the manager, assistant to the CEO) within the company.

Q: What are the roles of a program assistant?

The roles of program assistants can vary depending on the industry, but the main focus is carrying out administrative tasks that impact the daily operations of a business. Most program assistants are responsible for performing general office duties such as answering phone calls, keeping records, data entry, addressing customer concerns and so on.

Q: What is a graduate program assistant?

A graduate assistantship is a salaried student employment opportunity for graduate students. Graduate assistants work a set number of hours per week and, in return, receive a tuition waiver and, oftentimes, a monthly living stipend.

Q: What skills does a program assistant need?

The skills needed to be a program assistant are communication skills, interpersonal skills, time management skills, creative thinking, among others. Communication skills, including active listening, are essential for program assistants, as program members often approach them with requests, ideas, orders and issues.

Updated January 8, 2025

4 min read

Quoted expert

Tamara Tranter

A program assistant provides support to programs and projects within an organization. They assist in planning and organizing events, scheduling meetings, managing budgets, and maintaining records. Program assistants also communicate with stakeholders and participants, as well as prepare reports and presentations. They may work in various sectors, such as education, healthcare, or government. Program assistants need strong organizational and communication skills, as well as proficiency in office software applications.

What general advice would you give to a program assistant?

Tamara Tranter

Senior Director, The USA Hockey Foundation

Take risks, go outside of your comfort zone, and don't go into interviews with big expectations. Many qualified people have been impacted and are going to get many of the jobs because they have past experience. So be realistic, be positive, and be a team player.

ScoreProgram AssistantUS Average

Salary

2.7

Avg. Salary $35,193

Avg. Salary $59,228

Stability level

8.9

Growth rate 12%

Growth rate 0.3%

Diversity

10.0

Race

American Indian and Alaska Native 2.20%

Asian 6.71%

Black or African American 13.80%

Hispanic or Latino 19.03%

Unknown 5.21%

White 53.05%

Gender

female 75.21%

male 24.79%

Age - 43

Race

American Indian and Alaska Native 3.00%

Asian 7.00%

Black or African American 14.00%

Hispanic or Latino 19.00%

White 57.00%

Gender

female 47.00%

male 53.00%

Age - 43

Stress level

8.9

Stress level is very high

7.1 - high

Complexity level

8.1

Complexity level is challenging

7 - challenging

Work life balance

6.2

Work life balance is fair

6.4 - fair

What are the pros and cons of being a program assistant?

Pros

Exposure to different industries
Develop strong organizational and time management skills
Gain experience in event planning and coordination
Provides a platform to build a professional network
Provides an opportunity to hone communication skills

Cons

Limited job security or benefits in some cases
Often requires working with tight budgets
It can be difficult to balance multiple projects at once
Dealing with difficult stakeholders can be challenging
May require extensive travel, depending on the organization

Key steps to become a program assistant

Explore program assistant education requirements

Most common program assistant degrees

Bachelor's

61.7 %

Associate

15.2 %

Master's

9.6 %

Start to develop specific program assistant skills

Skills	Percentages
Patients	12.06%
Customer Service	9.26%
Data Entry	8.13%
HR	6.45%
Excellent Interpersonal	5.74%

Complete relevant program assistant training and internships

Accountants spend an average of 1-3 months on post-employment, on-the-job training. New program assistants learn the skills and techniques required for their job and employer during this time. The chart below shows how long it takes to gain competency as a program assistant based on U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics data and data from real program assistant resumes.

Research program assistant duties and responsibilities

Lead classes in anatomy/physiology, medical terminology, transcription.
Manage oversight of budget/finance, personnel and continuous program improvement.
Assist in achieving and maintaining DoD certification and national accreditation where applicable.
Instruct students in C++ and Java programming, robot design and construction.

Prepare your program assistant resume

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