Administrative Professionals: A Career As An Administrative Assistant

An administrative assistant sometimes referred to as an office clerk, secretary, or receptionist is someone who performs routine clerical and organizational tasks. They organize files, draft messages, schedule appointments and support other staff. Administrative assistants utilize a variety of skills to ensure the efficiency of business operations. Responsibilities can include answering the phone, editing documents, and maintaining filing systems. A high school diploma or GED, experience in word processing, and the ability to multi-task are common requirements. You can enhance your professional image by becoming certified. The certification process also builds your skills and job knowledge and demonstrates your competency to potential employers. The international Association of Administrative Professionals offers examinations leading to the certified

Skill level is the biggest differentiator in pay. Those in secretarial and office support roles usually make around $13 per hour, whereas executive assistants can make upwards of $30 per hour. Nearly four million people worked as administrative assistants and secretaries in 2014, according to the U.S. bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS). From 2014 to 2024, the BLS indicated that job opportunities for this group would grow about 3%, which was slower than the expected national average for all jobs. Career opportunities were also projected due to administrative assistants leaving the field for professional positions. Administrative Assistants usually work 35 to 40 hours a week, Monday to Friday. They normally work in an office at a computer. With experience, you could progress from admin assistant to supervisor or office manager. You could also move into other departments such as IT or accounting. With further training, you could specialize in an area like legal, financial or medical