One question I hear often from prospective virtual assistants is "Do I need to be certified?" There are many schools of thought on that subject. Many of the virtual assistants (VA's) I know are not certified in the niches they offer while some are. Personally, I am not certified...yet...but I have nearly 20 years of experience as an administrative assistant. I worked in the sales, real estate, publishing, training, and technology industries as well as the Federal Government to gain that experience.
I was fortunate that I was allowed to build many of the positions I held to move outside the box for the usual administrative assistant. That background gave me the opportunity to build a business that is never boring. My clients come from many different backgrounds and I collaborate with each of them in different ways. For me, my experience and knowledge was enough for my clients. Each felt comfortable in trusting me with various tasks for his or her business.
Don't get me wrong. I am not saying that a certification is not necessary. It definitely helps to prove a VA's educational background in specific business areas, if needed.
Now the second question I usually get is "Where can I learn the skills I need to become a VA?" There are many sources available. Many community colleges have embraced the idea of the VA and have begun offering classes in that area. (My local community college offers classes.) There is a college in Albert, Canada that has a Virtual Assistant program (Red Deer College). In addition, there are many virtual assistance industry professionals who offer educational programs. These programs cover various niches and skills that many clients are looking for in a VA.
I am aware that I really did not answer the question! The key thing to remember is that it never hurts to learn more about a subject that is important to you, especially if it will potentially become your livelihood. Also, while one person is comfortable with jumping and learning a skill as they go, the next person may be more comfortable with formally learning the skill before using it with a client. Really, the choice is yours!
To help you get started, take a look at the section below for various educational opportunities for virtual assistants and other virtual business owners.
Educational Opportunities
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