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Administrative assistants perform a variety of administrative and clerical tasks to assist professional staff members and to maintain smooth and efficient office operation. They monitor day-to-day office operations and set up and maintain schedules. In addition, they operate a variety of office machines and equipment to process and facilitate internal and external correspondence.

Duties

Graduates in this field may be required to:

  • perform a variety of clerical tasks

  • prepare letters, memos, invoices, legal documents and manuscripts using computerized equipment and software

  • answer telephones, take messages, schedule appointments, greet visitors

  • open and classify mail

  • take and transcribe dictation

  • take notes during business meetings and conferences

  • maintain business files

  • make travel, restaurant and other reservations as needed

  • operate office machines

  • may supervise other clerical workers

Working Conditions

Graduates in this field commonly experience:

  • work inside; office environment

  • work under direct supervision

  • work in cooperation with other people

  • perform a variety of duties

  • work under stress to meet schedule deadlines

  • generate considerable paperwork

  • may require some overtime / night / weekend hours

Physical Demands

  • sedentary

  • general moving about an office environment

  • light lifting (boxes of papers, files, etc.)

Characteristics & Temperament

Graduates in this field should have:

  • ability to make generalizations, evaluations or decisions

  • ability to deal well with people

  • ability to work well within established guidelines / policy

  • ability to change from one task to another while maintaining composure and efficiency

  • ability to handle stress

  • ability to resolve conflicts competently

  • ability to do what is necessary to get the job done

  • good communication skills - writing and speaking

  • ability to work with machines (computers, etc.)

  • ability to "catch on" quickly

  • ability to follow directions

  • attention to details

  • good motor coordination (hand / eye coordination, manual dexterity, accurate and swift movement)

  • flexibility and adaptability

  • self-discipline; self-motivation

  • ability to think independently

Employment Outlook

Employment statistics for 2003 - 2008 PTC graduates, who found jobs in this field, are as follows:

  • salary average: $19,005

  • salary range: $11,000-38,750

  • 74% placement rate

  • experience may lead to advancement within a company

  • entry level positions: administrative assistant, legal secretary, medical secretary, bookkeeper, teller, data entry clerk, typist, librarian, office manager, accountant assistant, telemarketer, office assistant, customer service representative

  • employment in cities and towns of all sizes

  • self-employment

  • secretarial services / "temporary" agencies

Employers

Some recent graduates have found work at: