Following three long years of study and hard work, a group of PAs has completed the UK’s first undergraduate degree programme that tailors business administration techniques for management assistants. The course, which is offered by Middlesex University, allows PAs to learn on their own time in the workplace.
Originally developed in partnership with the now dissolved Association of Personal Assistants, the programme is the first in the UK to feature a wide spectrum of content based around the idea that PAs need to be able to understand business in order to provide the best support to their managers.
The first cohort of participants includes Claire Howard from the Financial Conduct Authority, Carol Lockett from WRBC Services, Aisling O’Meara from Monitor and Yvette Squire from Transport For London. They started their degree in 2011 and recently graduated with a BA Honours Degree in Business Administration for Personal Assistants.
Carol says she has sought learning opportunities throughout her impressive career, so when a degree became available that was directly applicable to her role, she jumped at the chance to participate. “Plus, my employer was willing to sponsor me, which meant I received full funding and support,” she adds.
Claire explains that the programme is a distance learning course, meaning she and her fellow students weren’t required to attend the university campus and all of their material was supplied through the school’s website. She believes the skills she has walked away with will help her prepare for the future of the PA role.
“My career has evolved quite significantly over the past few years, whereby my responsibilities are heading toward operational management in terms of budgeting, recruitment, office facilities and other such tasks. The strategic thinking and deeper level of understanding of business principles I now have will support me in contributing to future projects.”
Aisling, who has since taken on the role of facilities manager at Monitor, believes the course has improved her confidence, despite being “a tough three years”. “I lost my father in the early stages of the course, accepted a senior role and helped my company through a move to a new office during the degree. I feel very proud that despite these hurdles I managed to finish the modules and get a good result. The support from the other ladies on the course was a big factor in my success.”
Meanwhile, Yvette comments: “I think it’s important for PAs to continually develop, as this ensures their knowledge and skills are up to date and therefore on par with the wider business world. I chose the degree programme because it was appropriate for the direction I’d like to take. We should all take charge of our own development.”
“Assistants often play a high-level role, so we knew they would need a broad understanding of business practice,” says Paul Griseri, Middlesex University’s academic projects manager and Director of MBA programmes.
The course features a blend of flexible online learning and practical work that can be carried out at the participant’s office. “We encouraged them to negotiate projects with their bosses to promote communication between them and their employer. It gave the PAs control over their own course work,” notes Paul.
The BA in Business Administration for PAs is currently available as an exclusive in-house programme. Companies that wish to enrol a group of assistants can contact Paul at p.griseri@mdx.ac.uk.
