Good customer service is one of the top priorities for almost every type of business. Companies are constantly on the lookout for well-trained customer service professionals who represent the company in the best possible manner, and who deal with customers' queries in a friendly and informative manner. With the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) predicting the employment of customer service representatives to grow by 13 percent from 2012 to 2022, it is worth looking into the different types of customer service degrees.
Customer service degree programs are offered at many accredited institutions and schools in the US, both on campus and online. Certificate programs are available, but students looking to earn a degree may enroll in associate and bachelor's degree programs. Customer service certificate programs are designed to help students learn how to provide efficient customer support and service. Students get to study courses in time management, document processing, after sales service, behavioral styles, communications, conflict resolution as well as courses in computer literacy. The admission requirements for certificate programs usually vary from institution to institution, but generally, students need to have a high school diploma in order to enroll in a certificate program.
Associate level programs are typically two year programs, and customer service bachelor's degree programs are usually completed in four years. For supervisory or management level jobs, employers usually prefer students who have these degrees. A high school diploma or a GED certificate may constitute as one of the admission requirements to enroll in these degree programs. Students get to study the best practices employed in customer service, and how to cater to customers' needs before making a sale, during the process, and after making the sale. They study courses in marketing, communications, team work, employee management, and consumer objectives. These courses are in addition to courses in business fundamentals such as finance, accounting, economics, and management. Online customer service degree programs provide numerous benefits to students. They offer more convenience and flexibility, and are usually more cost effective than full time on campus programs.
Training:
On the job training is usually provided to new graduates who pursue a career path as customer service representatives. This training may last up to 3 weeks, and trainees usually work under the supervision of experienced workers and gain firsthand knowledge on how to handle customers effectively from them. Some customer service representatives who work in the insurance and finance industry may even need to acquire a state license in order to practice. The licensing requirements may vary from state to state.
Career Options:
Students with degrees in customer service have careers as:
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Customer Service Representatives
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Retail Sale Workers
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Wholesale and Manufacturing Sales Representatives
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Cashiers
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Receptionists
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Sales Clerks
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Administrative Assistants
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Bank Tellers
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Customer Service Managers
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Retail Supervisors
Work Environment and Pay:
Customer service personnel usually work in telephone call centers, retail stores, banks, credit and insurance agencies, as well as telecommunication corporations. According to the BLS, in 2012, customer service representatives held approximately 2.4 million jobs in nearly all industries. With regard to the pay, the median annual wage of customer service representatives in May 2012 was $30,580.