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B. Busguy33
Top Member
USA
3444 Posts |
 Posted - 01/23/2002 : 6:50:18 PM
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Do any of you know what the college degree requirements are to become an office administrative assistant, a dispatcher, a supervisor, or a transportation manager/director?
I will be graduating from my 2-year college next year with an associate's degree in Business Administration. I was not too sure if this would be enough to land me a job as an office administrative assistant, or as a dispatcher, supervisor, or eventually a transportation manager/director. I realize I may have to wait for an opening for most if not all of those positions, but I wasn't sure if I would need a bachelor (4-year degree) or a master's degree to pursue the highest positions in the school transportation industry. Your help is most appreciated, thanks in advance.
Bob
(B. Busguy33)
"Blue Bird: Always flyin' high above the rest... 
Blue Bird: One of America's Best!!!  " |
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MongoKen
Senior Member
USA
147 Posts |
Posted - 01/23/2002 : 7:42:35 PM
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Bob -
In my county the only position a college degree is really required is in transportation management positions. For example a Transportation Coordinator (reports to the director) requires a 4 year degree, the director position requires a Masters. All other positions, route supervisors, operations dispatchers, admin assistants do not require a degree. Just about everyone who works in our Transporation office started out as a bus drivers and have "worked thier way up the ladder" to office positions - including myself..I started driving at age 19, started working in the office part-time between runs, then became the full time dispatcher. This is how it seems to work in VA at least..hope this helps!
"Superior Buses..A Legend of the Past" |
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wagonmaster
Top Member
USA
2298 Posts |
Posted - 01/24/2002 : 06:33:44 AM
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I think it depends on the district and their policy regarding minimum requirements. Some districts regularly waive educational requirements, while others would never consider such a thing. Check around.
Joe
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BusBoy
Top Member
USA
2042 Posts |
Posted - 01/24/2002 : 08:36:51 AM
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I think even with your associate's degree your more qualified then most transportation director's. Most of the director's that I know don't even have a degree! As Wagonmaster said it just depends on the district.
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largebus
Advanced Member
USA
468 Posts |
Posted - 01/24/2002 : 6:13:45 PM
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I think there should be three levels:
1) Immediate Supervisor/Assistant
(2-year associate's degree)
2) Higher Superviser/Lower Admin
(4-year bachelor's degree)
3) Manager/Director/Chief
(Master's Degree)
I don't think many transportation directors in New York have college degrees (I know ours didn't) but I could be wrong.
"They carry your kids-SO LET 'EM THROUGH!!" |
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Busrepair
Senior Member
121 Posts |
Posted - 01/25/2002 : 11:51:23 AM
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I do not think that a college degree should have a thing to do with some of these postions you have listed. More could be learned by experience in the field than in a classroom.
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cowlitzcoach
Advanced Member
USA
325 Posts |
Posted - 01/26/2002 : 05:42:41 AM
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The WA Superintendent of Public Instruction offers a three year program through Central Washington University specifically for school transportation supervisors.
If you have no background in student transportation most of the curriculum won't make a lot of sense. If you do, the program can make your life a whole bunch easier.
While most of the curriculum is specific to the rules and regulations of WA, it is still general enough to be of value to people who live and work in other states. In fact, several people from British Columbia have been through the program and they have found the course to be of value for them.
More and more districts in WA are starting to include completions of the course in the job description requirements when they have openings in student transportation management positions.
You can access information about the course through the OSPI website @ www.k12.wa.us/ and going to the programs & department buttons to the operations & support button to the pupil transportation button to the CWU Pupil Management Program button.
Good luck.
Mark O.
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College Degree Requirements
