Every business or corporation has key people who keep the office running smoothly. They take calls, schedule meetings, prepare reports, oversee mailings, troubleshoot problems, and manage projects. They are administrative assistants and secretaries, and without them the world of business would grind to a halt.

 

You can find them in a wide variety of office settings. Administrative assistants work in small offices, in nonprofits such as museums, in universities, in big multinational corporations, and in government. They often have skills that are transferable from one setting to another, so they can more easily jump up the ladder of business success. Many administrative assistants get additional education, which may include a master of business administration, to qualify for upper management positions.

 

In the old days, they were all simply called secretaries. They had to know how to type and how to make coffee. No longer! Today’s administrative assistants are highly qualified members of the office team. They must be proficient in many computer software applications such as Microsoft Word, Excel, and Access^®. They may use Powerpoint^® to create audiovisual presentations, and they prepare reports from database information and coordinate projects. They use a variety of office equipment including photocopiers, scanners, fax machines, and videoconferencing and telephone systems.  

 

Many administrative assistants specialize in a specific career field. Medical secretaries work in health care settings, including physician’s offices and hospitals. They do not treat patients, but assist physicians or medical personnel with reports, articles, speeches, and conference proceedings. Legal secretaries assist attorneys in law offices, reviewing legal journals and assisting with legal research. They may also prepare legal papers including complaints, motions, summonses, responses, and subpoenas under the supervision of an attorney or a paralegal. Legal secretaries may be certified by the National Association of Legal Secretaries (NALS), Inc.

 

How do you prepare for a career as an administrative assistant? You need to be prepared. Personal grooming is important, and you have to know how to work in an office environment. A high school diploma or GED is essential. College-level training is even better.

 

EducationForCareers.com can put you in touch with a career college in your community. Many schools offer diploma, certificate, associate degree, or bachelor’s degree programs in business. Programs typically last from one year for a diploma to four years for a bachelor’s degree. Many business programs are also available online.     

 

The job outlook is good. According to the U.S. government, in the current decade from 2006 through 2016 the U.S. will add about 362,000 new administrative assistant and secretarial jobs.* Growth will vary according to the job category. The best prospects will be for medical secretaries, legal secretaries, executive secretaries, and administrative assistants. Career opportunities are expected to be best for people with training in software applications, and for experienced administrative assistants and secretaries. Opportunities should be very good for applicants with advanced computer and communication skills.

 

Check out the business education programs available in your community and get career training. You could be prepared for a new career in business sooner than you think.