High School
You’ll need strong communication skills and the ability to use database and customer relationship management software to have a successful career in customer service, so take classes in English, speech, and computer science. Other recommended courses include marketing, business, economics, accounting, mathematics, psychology, history, and social studies. Finally, take a foreign language such as Spanish because CSRs who are multilingual often have improved job prospects.
Postsecondary Education
A minimum of a bachelor’s degree is needed for most jobs, but some mutual fund companies hire applicants who have a combination of some postsecondary education and customer service experience, and then train them on the job. Customer service representatives have degrees in a variety of areas including communications, English, public relations, marketing, finance, accounting, and business.
Certification
Some colleges and universities provide certificates in customer service, public relations, and related fields. Contact schools in your area to learn what opportunities are available.
Other Education or Training
The National Customer Service Association offers online courses that help customer service representatives keep their skills up to date. Recent classes included Living Service Excellence, Mastering Effective Communication, and Understanding Customer Behavior. The Customer Service Institute of America and SOCAP International also provide continuing education opportunities. Contact these organizations for more information.