Administrative Assistants and Secretaries

Administrative assistants and secretaries are talented, versatile people. If you have any doubt, stop by the school office and watch the secretary at work. You'll see him or her juggle a dozen tasks -- signing in a late student, answering the phone, sorting the mail -- all without batting an eye.

Administrative assistants and secretaries provide various office support services.

Did You Know?

Some secretaries choose to specialize in a field such as medicine or law.

Are You Ready To...?

• Use computers constantly
• Use fax machines, photocopiers, and other office equipment
• Schedule appointments and meetings
• File documents
• Take dictation
• Draft and type letters
• Proofread your writing and your boss’s
• Deal with the public
• Make travel arrangements
• Answer phones

It Helps To Be...

At ease with computers and the English language. Good interpersonal skills are also key. You'll also need to work independently, stay organized, and take initiative. Office technology keeps changing, so be ready for continued on-the-job learning.

Make High School Count

• Make the most of English classes and sharpen your command of grammar, spelling, and punctuation.
• Build computer skills -- practice on a wide variety of word processing, spreadsheet, and database software.
• Practice your keyboarding skills (and train yourself to type accurately, even when you're sending personal emails).
• Take psychology to learn about human nature.
• Sign up for accounting.
• Take an organized approach to your schoolwork -- keep an assignment book, take careful notes, and stick to a study schedule.