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Secretary/Administrative Assistant

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AVG. SALARY

$42,520

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EDUCATION

High school (GED) +

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JOB OUTLOOK

Decreasing

What They Do

Secretaries and Administrative Assistants Career Video

Insider Info

Do you enjoy multiple responsibilities, have customer service savvy and welcome computer work? Consider a secretarial career! You'll be the office information center and be responsible for coordinating office functions, typing important documents and making travel arrangements.

Secretaries (also known as administrative assistants) coordinate crucial office functions. You'll answer phones, schedule appointments, create documents, provide assistance to clients and co-workers, and maintain computer and paper files. Secretaries also provide assistance with desktop publishing and database needs, so familiarity with common business software is a must!

"The computer technology related to word processing, presentation materials and financial management requires learned skills. It would be necessary for anyone to know these basic programs before entering the field," advises Terri Lowe, an executive assistant.

Industries crave secretaries with precise experience and training. Legal secretaries work for busy attorneys who need someone with industry-specific knowledge. These secretaries assist with legal research, prepare legal documents and coordinate client appointments.

Technical secretaries work with engineers, scientists and researchers. They maintain technical journal libraries, greet clients, submit papers to technical journals and compile information.

"Secretaries come in all flavors and from all levels. If you want to be a good one, you have to hone in on the particular company's needs," advises Jeannine Robinson, a medical secretary.

Secretaries can work by themselves or as part of a secretarial team. Some secretaries prefer to work for an entire department and provide valuable administrative support for many team members. You'll work with industry professionals who crave your crucial clerical skills.

Most secretarial duties are done at your desk, meaning long stretches of sitting and typing. Eye strain and wrist strain are common, although ergonomic chairs and computer equipment will help prevent serious injury.

"As with any job that requires lots of typing, carpal tunnel syndrome could be a problem. To prevent this, we use wrist pads with our keyboards," shares Ted Ellicott, an administrative assistant.

A secretarial background gives you fantastic career opportunities. You can be promoted to office manager, specialize in bookkeeping or become an executive secretary and supervise a crew.

Just the Facts

Want a quick overview of what this career is about?Check out Just the Facts for simple lists of characteristics.

At a Glance

Handle clerical and customer service functions

  • Most secretarial duties are done at a desk
  • Secretaries can work by themselves or as part of a team
  • You can find an entry-level position with a high school diploma, but community college certification will get you further

Contact

  • Email Support
  • 1-800-GO-TO-XAP (1-800-468-6927)
    From outside the U.S., please call +1 (424) 750-3900
  • North Dakota Career Resource Network
    ndcrn@nd.gov | (701) 328-9733

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