What Is a Program Support Assistant and How to Become One

By ZipRecruiter Marketplace Research Team

A program support assistant works in a specialized unit of an organization or academic institution and performs a variety of administrative tasks. Your duties as a program support assistant vary depending on your employer but may involve budgeting, purchasing materials, managing files and records, and assisting visitors. You must also understand departmental guidelines, policies, and procedures. Typical qualifications for a program support assistant include at least a high school diploma or GED certificate and relevant work experience. You must also have excellent communication, multitasking, and organizational skills, along with computer proficiency.

The primary qualifications for getting a job as a program associate are a bachelor's degree in a related field and some experience planning and executing events. Program associates work in a variety of fields, so you may need to choose which industry to focus on before you start working towards a degree. If you are not sure what degrees make sense, talk to the staff at your school or contact companies in that industry and ask what sort of education they want to see. Other useful qualities for starting a career as a program associate include interpersonal skills, research skills, budgeting skills, and the ability to travel as needed.