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Two men wearing headsets and casual shirts sit at desks, smiling as they handle customer service responsibilities in a bright, modern office with large windows and city buildings visible outside.

Customer Service Representative

Business degree career guide

What is a Customer Service Representative?

Customer service representatives are the front-line professionals who help businesses build and maintain lasting relationships with their customers. Whether answering product questions, resolving complaints, or processing orders, these professionals play a critical role in shaping the customer experience and driving brand loyalty. A career as a customer service representative offers accessible entry points into virtually every industry and strong pathways to advancement in operations, account management, and leadership.

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What Does a Customer Service Representative Do?

Customer service representatives communicate with customers on behalf of companies to address inquiries, resolve issues, and provide information. They work across a wide variety of channels, including phone, email, live chat, and in-person interactions, and are often a customer’s primary point of contact with an organization.

Common job duties include:

Responding to customer inquiries via phone, email, chat, or in-person interactions
Resolving product and service complaints in a professional, timely, and empathetic manner
Processing orders, returns, exchanges, and account updates accurately
Maintaining detailed records of customer interactions, issues, and resolutions in CRM systems
Escalating complex or high-priority issues to supervisors or specialized departments
Educating customers on products, services, policies, and procedures
Meeting or exceeding performance metrics such as first-call resolution rate and customer satisfaction scores
Contributing to process improvement initiatives based on recurring customer feedback patterns

How to Become a Customer Service Representative

Business Associate Degree

Under 2 years

Approximate Program Length

60 credits

Total Credits

September 09

Next Start Date

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Entry-level customer service positions typically require a high school diploma or equivalent, along with strong communication and interpersonal skills. Many employers provide on-the-job training. For candidates seeking faster advancement into supervisory, technical support, or account management roles, a postsecondary certificate or associate’s degree in business, communications, or a related field is highly beneficial. Proficiency with customer relationship management (CRM) software such as Salesforce or Zendesk is increasingly expected by employers.

Bryant & Stratton College offers business and communications programs that build the foundational and advanced skills needed to succeed in customer-facing roles—and to advance into supervisory and management positions. Explore our flexible program options and speak with an admissions advisor to find the path that fits your career goals and schedule.

Next Start Dates

Our flexible delivery model is designed to cater to diverse schedules and preferences, offering many different terms to accommodate the unique needs of our students. With starts available every 8 to 16 weeks, you have the freedom to choose a timeline that aligns with your lifestyle and commitments.

This approach ensures that you can embark on your educational journey at a time that suits you best, providing the convenience and accessibility necessary for a successful learning experience.

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Where Do Customer Service Representatives Work?

Two professionals, including a Customer Service Representative, stand and smile while discussing work—one holds a tablet, the other a laptop. They are in business attire with a patterned, light-filled wall in the background.

Customer service representatives are employed across nearly every industry.

Common employers include retail and e-commerce companies, insurance providers, financial institutions, telecommunications companies, healthcare organizations, software companies, and government agencies.

Positions may be in-office, fully remote, or hybrid depending on the employer, and the growth of remote work has significantly expanded the geographic reach of available opportunities.

Executive Administrative Assistant Career Outlook

The BLS projects a 5% decline in customer service representative employment from 2022 to 2032, driven primarily by increased automation and the adoption of AI-powered self-service tools.

Despite this projection, the BLS still anticipates approximately 373,400 annual job openings for customer service representatives over the decade, driven by high rates of workforce turnover and the need to replace workers who move to other occupations. Professionals with strong technological fluency and the ability to handle complex, nuanced customer interactions will remain competitive.

Two women sit together in a bright office—a Customer Service Representative in a blazer explains something while gesturing to a tablet held by the other woman, who is wearing a red top and listening attentively.

Gain Real World Experience at Bryant & Stratton College

Through our partnership network, students are provided with opportunities to actively apply their learnings in real-world settings.

There are several benefits to internship experiences that can impact your career success. Internships can provide insight into the hiring process, help you sharpen your professional skills, and learn to work with confidence in real-world situations.

Plus, internships are a valuable way to prove yourself to potential employers who may want to hire you as a result. You can also start developing a network of peers and mentors you can lean on for guidance and support. If you want to learn how we connect students with local internships that align with their goals, request info today.

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What Are Students Saying?

Going to Bryant & Stratton College online gives a person the opportunity for growth and pride. You know it’s worth it, as long as you’re willing to put in the time and hard work. It’s a good investment. I had a goal at the end: I wanted to better myself and get a better job.
Kris Akins AAS Business

I wanted to complete my associate’s degree, and I also wanted Dad to expand his computer skills and gain new knowledge instead of just waiting on campus for me to finish my classes. We motivated each other to return to school. I was attracted to Bryant & Stratton College because of the small class sizes and easy campus navigation.
Destiny Constantin BBA General Management

I always wanted to go back to college, but the timing never felt right, and when it was, it was the best two years of my life. Bryant & Stratton College made that possible. I was working full time, but I knew I wanted to continue my education and earn my degree.
Deana Mahabeer AAS Human Resource Specialist

My time at Bryant & Stratton College was very productive. Learning about SWOT analysis, how to write a business plan, and how to identify my customer base helped me set the proper foundation to get started on what I wanted to do with my business.
Haseim Townsend BBA General Management

Madelyn Birling - Bryant & Stratton College Alum

My favorite part about the business program was how open everyone was to help, even if they weren’t our professor. They made a lasting impression on me because of their energy when we came in the room and how they were interested in us as people not just as their students.
Madelyn Birling AAS Business

Jhonny Zamor - Bryant & Stratton College Alum

One instructor made business classes easy to understand and always encouraged me to think and believe in myself. Stay disciplined with your schedule, don’t be afraid to ask for help, and remember that both academics and athletics can open doors for your future if you commit fully to both.
Jhonny Zamor AAS Business & BBA General Management

Jamie Ward - Bryant & Stratton College Alum

I decided on business because I think it will provide me with many more employment options in the future. I can investigate many fields like management, marketing, and entrepreneurship.
Jamie Ward AAS Business

I had gotten as far as I could without a degree. I knew going back to school and getting a degree would open doors for me. And it did, I was promoted immediately. I liked the flexibility of being able to do my schoolwork on my own time. I would highly recommend online education.
Brian Germann AAS Information Technology & BBA General Management

When I was growing up I never was like, hey I want to do HR when I get older. This isn’t something I planned on doing but now that I am, it makes me feel valuable.
Robert Taylor AAS Human Resources Specialist

I wanted to collect a broad range of entrepreneurial skills and knowledge, so Bryant & Stratton College’s business program was a natural fit for me.
Tyler Stevens AAS Business

The staff is very welcoming, very warm. They were like family. They have so many students and they take time for each one. There were little pieces I was able to integrate that I learned in college that gave me the upper hand.
Robert King AAS Business & BA Business Administration

Alex Grigorita - Alumni - AAS Hospitality Management & BBA General Management

Bryant & Stratton's personalized education gave me the knowledge, experience, and confidence to succeed in my career, and confidently pursue my goals.
Alex Grigorita AAS Hospitality Management & BBA General Management

A smiling man with short light hair, glasses, and a goatee, dressed in a suit jacket, against an outdoor background.

To anyone who is thinking about going back to continue their education at Bryant & Stratton: Do it. Have the conversations, talk to the admissions team, or get in touch with someone like me who has been through it. You will not regret it.
Michael Gill General Management

Smiling woman with wavy gray hair and a black sweater poses in front of a vintage photograph background.

Without my experience at Bryant & Stratton College, I would not be where I am today. I learned computer skills, accounting, and other essential knowledge I needed to be successful in my job
Michelle Bliss Business

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For insights into a career in the business industry, please visit the Business Degrees section of our blog. Here you will find valuable information about business careers. Explore the website and be sure to visit the Business Degree Programs page.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Retail trade, finance and insurance, healthcare, and telecommunications are among the largest employers of customer service representatives. Technical support roles within the software and technology sector are also among the fastest-growing and best-compensated segments of the field.

Strong active listening and verbal communication skills are at the core of effective customer service. Other essential competencies include patience, empathy, problem-solving ability, conflict resolution, attention to detail, and proficiency with computer systems and CRM platforms.

Absolutely. Many professionals use customer service roles as a launching pad for careers in sales, account management, operations management, or team leadership. The skills gained in customer-facing roles, communication, problem-solving, and understanding of business processes, are highly transferable across industries and functions.

Yes. Customer service is one of the most established remote-friendly career fields. Many companies offer fully remote customer service roles, making it an excellent option for candidates seeking geographic flexibility and work-from-home opportunities.

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