Personal assistant 9781422228975, 1422228975

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For many high school graduates, college is a way to get ahead, but going to college is not the only way for young adults to succeed. Many people choose to enter the workforce after high school to start earning money and gaining experience right away. These motivated young workers can have rewarding jobs without ever having to earn a 4-year college degree. If you’re interested in helping others and don’t know that you want to— or can—go to college, a career as a personal assistant might be for you. Young people need only a high school diploma or equivalent to start as a personal assistant, and they can eventually earn more than $50,000 a year. In Personal Assistant, you’ll learn how to start a career as a personal assistant and what you need to succeed in the field. Find out about the prospects for these careers in the future, how much personal assistants can make each year, and whether your path to success includes a career as an assistant.

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Personal Assistant

Earning $50,000–$100,000 with a High School Diploma or Less Announcer Car Mechanic Chef Cosmetologist DJ Dog Groomer Energizing Energy Markets: Clean Coal, Shale, Oil, Wind, and Solar Farming, Ranching, and Agriculture Masseur & Massage Therapist Personal Assistant Presenting Yourself: Business Manners, Personality, and Etiquette Referee The Arts: Dance, Music, Theater, and Fine Art Truck Driver

Earning $50,000–$100,000 with a High School Diploma or Less

Personal Assistant Connor Syrewicz

Mason Crest

Mason Crest 450 Parkway Drive, Suite D Broomall, PA 19008 www.masoncrest.com Copyright © 2014 by Mason Crest, an imprint of National Highlights, Inc. All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, taping or any information storage and retrieval system, without permission from the publisher. Printed in the United States of America. First printing 987654321 Series ISBN: 978-1-4222-2886-9 ISBN: 978-1-4222-2897-5 ebook ISBN: 978-1-4222-8933-4 The Library of Congress has cataloged the hardcopy format(s) as follows: Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data Syrewicz, Connor. Personal assistant / Connor Syrewicz. pages cm. – (Earning $50,000-$100,000 with a high school diploma or less) Includes bibliographical references and index. Audience: Grade 7 to 8. ISBN 978-1-4222-2897-5 (hardcover) – ISBN 978-1-4222-2886-9 (series) – ISBN 978-14222-8933-4 (ebook) 1. Private secretaries–Juvenile literature. 2. Administrative assistants–Juvenile literature. 3. Vocational guidance–Juvenile literature. I. Title. HD8039.S58S97 2014 651.023–dc23 2013015569

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Contents 1. Careers Without College 7 2. What Do Personal Assistants Do? 21 3. How Can I Become a Personal Assistant? 31 4. How Much Can I Make? 41 5. Looking to the Future 53 Find Out More 61 Bibliography 62 Index 63 About the Author & Picture Credits 64 Introduction 7 1. Careers Without College 7 2. What Do Umps and Referees Do? 7 3. How Can I Become a Sports Official? 7 4. How Much Can I Make? 7 5. What’s the Future of Sports Officials? 7 Find Out More 7 Bibliography 7 Index 7 About the Author and the Consultant 7

C ha p t e r 1

Careers Without College

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ow does a wealthy business owner find time to rest? How does an elderly person who can’t drive get her groceries? How does a busy working mom take care of everything at home? When life becomes too busy for people to get everything done on their own, they may hire a personal assistant to help them. “I love helping people,” Vincent Long says. “That’s why I chose to become a personal assistant. No matter what type of personal assistant you are, you will always be helping someone. Plus, you get paid for it! What more could you ask for?” Now fortyfive years old, Vincent has made a life-long career out of being a personal assistant. While being a personal assistant is an important job, you do not have to go to

College graduation is a great achievement—but other routes can also lead to success.

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Types of Personal Assistants One of the most common types of personal assistant works in an office. In many cases, the assistant works for an executive. Other personal assistants might work for someone who needs help at home. It is also possible to become a personal assistant for a celebrity, although opportunities like this are rare. The President of the United States, for example, has a personal secretary. Many lawyers and doctors have personal assistants, as well. With so many occupations in the world, the possibilities for personal assistants are endless.

college to become one. Most of the skills you will need as a personal assistant come from experience.

The College Question

Having a career as a personal assistant does not require a college education. For example, without realizing it at the time, Vincent began to learn about being a personal assistant when he was little. “[My grandmother] had trouble walking, so my parents taught me how to cook and clean for her. As I grew older, I would go out and buy her food, too.” Little did Vincent know that he would eventually use these skills to earn money! After graduating from high school, Vincent began to think about what he wanted to do as a career. He thought back to how much fun he

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A personal assistant may help an elderly person with shopping and other daily chores.

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had helping his grandmother, and he wondered if he could find a job doing something like that. Surely, there were people out there like his grandmother who needed help. “That’s when I learned what a personal assistant was,” Vincent says. Because Vincent already had so much experience from helping his grandmother, he never thought about getting a higher education. Not going to college allowed Vincent to have a head start in finding a career, which put him at an advantage. Many students who complete college do not have much experience after graduation. Vincent, on the other hand, started working immediately following high school. “While many of my friends went off to college, I was already making a name for myself,” he says.

Continuing Education Options

“I already knew everything I needed to know from when I was little, but I understand why someone would want to take a few extra courses,” Vincent says. Even if you want to take some classes, they do not need to come from a large-scale college or university. There are plenty of affordable classes at a local community college or vocational school. In a business setting, a college degree might be more appropriate for a personal assistant. For example, a personal assistant in a lawyer’s office might want to have a degree in law. While in college, a law student will learn the terminology and practices of a lawyer, which can make him a great personal assistant for a lawyer. Because a business-oriented personal assistant should know about the business she will be working in, taking a few classes in that field could be helpful.

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Classes at a vocational school aren’t necessary, but they could get you started in your career as a personal assistant.

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Even if you don’t know what type of personal assisLooking at the Words tant you want to become, there are certain skills any personal Vocational schools train students assistant needs to possess. for a specific career and are shortFor example, personal assiser and cheaper than a traditional tants often need to know how four-year college. to use a computer, edit data files, write e-mails, and answer phone calls. Vocational schools can teach these technical skills and more. Fortunately, classes from vocational schools are a lot less expensive than a traditional college or university. Some high school students may even be allowed to take classes at a vocational school, so they can get started on a career right after high school graduation. Alternatively, a person who already has a full-time job but is interested in learning more or changing careers to become a personal assistant can attend vocational classes to obtain additional knowledge. Doing everything you can to keep learning will also demonstrate that you are a self-starter, a quality many employers look for when hiring a personal assistant.

Learning Outside the Classroom Even if you choose not to attend classes beyond high school, you can learn a lot on the job if you pay attention. A good personal assistant is always striving for excellence.

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PA Requirements A good personal assistant (PA) is unflappable under pressure. He is calm and able to think on his feet. The ability to work well with others, particularly difficult personalities, is essential. The ability to influence people is also essential, as PAs often need to negotiate with others for time and resources.

“The best advice I have . . . is to ask a lot of questions,” says Samantha Grau, who has been a personal assistant for more than ten years. “The more you learn, the better you will do.” “Whether or not you decide to go to college, there will always be a lot to learn outside of school,” Vincent says. “It is important to ask questions and observe. If you aren’t sure how your boss wants something done, it is better to ask than to assume.” Although Vincent works in someone’s home, the same is true in an office setting. Each person

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is different, and one employer may want something done a certain way while another prefers a different method. The best personal assistants are open-minded, flexible, and open to change. “The hardest skill I learned along the way was organization,” Vincent says. “I was never very organized growing up, but I needed to learn to be.” Keeping lists, taking notes, and writing a schedule are basic tasks for any personal assistant. In addition to being organized for yourself, you also must be organized for your employer. “It’s never too early to start practicing,” Vincent says. “I kept a daily planner while I was in high school, and that habit helped a lot. I kept track of homework and other projects that were due. By the time I graduated, keeping a schedule was natural to me.” Some skills come more naturally than others. A good personal assistant stays calm in stressful situations, and he knows when to speak up. “It’s difficult to explain,” Vincent says. “You can’t be shy, but you can’t be too forceful, either. You need to be respectful, but firm. . . . You can’t let emotions get in the way of doing your job well.” This skill can only come from experience. There’s one skill that really separates a good personal assistant from a great one: the ability to think ahead. “When I can think of something that needs to be done before being told by my boss, I really impress her,” Vincent says. The same is true for a personal assistant who works in an office. The more a personal assistant can anticipate his employer’s needs, the better. “The more helpful you are, the better you are at assisting someone,” Vincent says. In the end, of course, the decision whether or not to go to college is a personal choice. “The great thing about being a personal assistant is that there are so many different ways to become one,” Vincent says. “Instead of going to

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college or school, you can ask another personal assistant for advice.” The Internet is also a great way to research any career you might like to pursue.

Is Being a Personal Assistant Right for Me? Many personal assistants begin their career working in an office setting. Samantha Grau began her career as an administrative assistant. Now, more than ten years later, she works as a personal assistant for a wealthy executive. Administrative assistants may eventually develop an interest in working for one person directly and choose to become a personal assistant in the future. “Like all jobs, there are a few reasons to like and dislike being a personal assistant,” Samantha says. “Some of the benefits include great pay and a job in which you really can do anything. Even after being here so many years, my job never gets dull and I’m never bored!” However, being a personal assistant can be stressful. “I have very little time to rest,” Samantha says. “At my job, I am always moving, and even if I am at my desk, I must work fast.” It is not uncommon for personal assistants to be expected to meet short deadlines with little notice. Even though there are many positive aspects to being a personal assistant, the job can get exhausting. “It’s tiring, both physically and mentally,” Samantha says. “I fill many different roles in the office. Sometimes, I answer phones. At other times, I file folders. I am asked to organize computer files and may even need to actually clean the office.” There is no rest for a personal assistant, because there is always something that needs to be done.

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A personal assitant’s job can be exhausting, since the PA is expected to keep track of all the details. These can include everything from files to the coffee maker, from making reservations to watering the plants.

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As a personal assistant you can’t be too sensitive. Even the nicest bosses can have bad days.

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Sick days and vacation days are rare for some personal assistants. “I can’t take a lot of time off because my boss is always relying on me,” Samantha says. If you want to be a personal assistant, be prepared to talk to one person all the time. “I am in constant contact with my boss,” Samantha says. “Like all people, he has good days and bad days.” Even if you disagree with how your boss is behaving, a personal assistant must stay calm. “No one can stay happy all the time,” Samantha says. “Sometimes, my boss can get upset about something that has nothing to do with me and definitely isn’t my fault. Even so, I am the one that has to fix the problem and deal with his frustration.” In this sense, all personal assistants must have the ability to block emotions and not take a boss’s bad mood personally. Despite the stressful side of the job, Samantha truly enjoys being a personal assistant. “I learn something new every day, and I know that doesn’t happen at every job,” she says.

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C ha p t e r 2

What Do Personal Assistants Do?

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n a basic level, a personal assistant’s job is to help someone with whatever needs doing. The tasks a personal assistant performs depend on the employer who hires them. “Having a personal assistant is like paying to have access to a second set of hands,” says Jennifer Brash, a personal assistant with almost ten years of experience. Jennifer has been a personal assistant in many settings. “A personal assistant will be told to do whatever task needs to be done, and he or she must do it without question,” Jennifer says.

Grocery shopping could be part of a PA’s responsibilities. “This might not sound fun to everyone, but it can be enjoyable for the right person.” A personal assistant performs many common tasks. For example, a personal assistant in an office might make appointments, while one at home might buy and put away groceries. However, some tasks can be different from the norm. “One time, I had to call a salon to set up a hair appointment for my boss,” Jennifer says. “Another time, I was asked to go to the store to buy

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Benefits and Drawbacks All occupations require some compromise. For example, a person who works in an office might be required to work from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. every day of the week. A business owner might not take a vacation often because she is too busy working. For a personal assistant, compromises can be even greater. A personal assistant’s job can include travel and long days or weekends of work. Executives, lawyers, and medical professionals might travel frequently, and their personal assistants likely will need to give up some personal freedoms to do their job well. But, don’t worry! There are also advantages to being a personal assistant. Personal assistants are usually paid well, and they may be invited to exclusive parties or events as an added perk. Looking at the Words

him a new tie. He had a meetA set of practices thought ing later in the day and had acto be usual or accepted is cidentally stained the one he called a norm. was already wearing.” Some requests might seem odd, but a personal assistant must be ready to do whatever her employer doesn’t have time to do. “Whenever I become confused or annoyed by something I am told to do, I just remember I am being paid for it,” Jennifer says. “My boss is also very appreciative of what I do and that keeps me in a good mood. She continues: “Assistants are very important. I may not be the person in charge, but if I wasn’t there, a lot of important tasks wouldn’t get done. I’m the person who keeps things moving.”

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In a Business Setting

As a business grows, a business owner or executive may not have time to take care of everything. A secretary or clerk can help with work that needs to be done around the office, but an executive who needs help with personal tasks might hire a personal assistant. Personal assistants who work for an executive may also be known as executive assistants. Jennifer originally began her career as a personal assistant for the owner of a small business. “At my first job, I would perform a lot of clerical work,” Jennifer says, which included filing, checking and sending mail, answering e-mails and phone calls, sending faxes, and working on a computer. “It’s hard to say exactly what I did because I was asked to fill so many roles,” Jennifer says. “Two of my most time-consuming tasks were taking notes and scheduling meetings.” It is not uncommon for a personal assistant to follow the executive throughout the day. In fact, Jennifer was required to attend Looking at the Words most of her employer’s meetAn executive is generally the ings so she could take notes. highest-ranking member of a In addition, an executive asbusiness or organization. sistant’s desk is usually near the executive’s desk or office, Work is considered clerical when which allows the assistant to it has to do with the routine tasks be within reach. needed to run an office. Being an executive assistant also requires some understanding of the person you work for, as well as his or her business. “Even though I was working within a business setting, I still needed to know how my boss felt on specific issues,” Jennifer says. “That

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A PA may be expected to do some of the executive’s work. This requires intelligence, diligence, and expertise. means I had to understand how he thinks about certain things. I had to get to know his style. If a client sends him an e-mail, it’s usually up to me to answer it.” An executive can receive many e-mails a day, and Jennifer had to understand how he would want her to reply. “This skill only comes with time and experience, but eventually, I learned how to reply to e-mails without even having to ask.” Getting to know your boss as a person can be as important as understanding the tasks he wants you to perform. Finally, an executive assistant might be asked to take care of workrelated tasks that the executive normally would do. “I would sometimes need to do research and prepare presentations,” Jennifer says. “This was probably the hardest part of my job.” In this sense, being an assistant can be stressful. “I can’t make mistakes, or I might make the executive look bad,” Jennifer says.

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If you’re a PA in a home setting, you might help your employer use a computer, file taxes, or organize correspondence.

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Fortunately for Jennifer, an executive assistant’s work usually ends when she leaves the office. However, personal assistants of high-profile executives may work around the clock, even from home.

In a Home Setting

In a home setting, a personal assistant is needed to help another person live. For example, an elderly person may need help performing everyday tasks. In this situation, a personal assistant might be asked to clean the house, cook meals, do the laundry, go grocery shopping, and help the person get from place to place. Because the employer needs help with daily living, there is very little restriction to what a personal assistant may be asked to do. However, a personal assistant should never be asked to perform any sort of medicalrelated tasks. Other examples of people who need in-home help include people who are physically or mentally disabled. “I once worked for a lady who was blind,” Jennifer says. “She was unable to read, so I would often have to read to her. When she would receive letters in the mail, I would read them aloud.” Then, the lady would tell Jennifer how to respond, and Jennifer would write it down and mail the letter. A personal assistant may not always be hired for a medical reason. Sometimes, an employer hires a personal assistant simply because she is too busy to take care of everything that needs to be done. “I now work for a wealthy businesswoman,” Jennifer says. “She is a single mother of two children who also works full time at an office. I run errands for her, because she doesn’t have time to do everything.” Jennifer is not a nanny, so she does not take care of the kids. Instead, she takes care of the shopping, cooking, and cleaning that the mother does not have time to do.

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Do You Have a Passion? There’s a lot of talk about passion these days: “Find your passion… Pursue your passion… Do what you love…” Passion, it turns out, lives in all sorts of places. And while finding your passion is an elusive pursuit, there is only one real formula: try things. Try things and see how they fit. Try jobs and find out what you like—and just as important, find out what you don’t like. The most important thing is: don’t feel overwhelmed if you don’t have a passion. Don’t feel like there’s something wrong with you. And then ask yourself: What is something I enjoy doing? What is something I’ve done already that had aspects to it I liked? Passion can come later. Right now, just find something you enjoy. That’s a starting point. Maybe it’ll become that thing you can do for hours and it feels like only a few minutes have gone by. But don’t put that pressure on yourself. Start small. “Our work is to discover our work and then with all our heart to give ourselves to it.” —Buddha

Adapted from the essay “The Truth About Finding Your Passion” by Colin Ryan. More of his work can be found at his website: http://astanduplife.com.

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Although some employers can afford to hire a personal assistant full time, this is not always an option. Some personal assistants work part time, and they may work for multiple employers throughout the week. “At one point, I was working for three different people at once,” Jennifer says. She prefers working for one person because she finds it to be more stable. “I also get to know one person really well,” Jennifer says. “Getting to know the person I work for is part of the reason why I enjoy being a personal assistant.” Another benefit of Jennifer’s job is a consistent schedule. “Even though I am working in a person’s home, I still keep certain hours,” Jennifer says. “I work forty hours a week, so I usually arrive at about ten in the morning and leave at six at night. Every job as a personal assistant is different. I was lucky to find one with such regular hours.”

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C ha p t e r 3

How Can I Become a Personal Assistant?

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s a career, personal assistants are often grouped with secretaries and administrative assistants because many of the necessary skills are similar for all three occupations. The Bureau of Labor Statistics lists four qualities that every secretary or administrative assistant should have:

A PA often needs to be able to organize complicated information into databases. This takes both computer skills and a thorough understanding of the information being organized.

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1. Computer skills. Having good computer skills is important, as personal assistants often use computers for e-mail, word processing, spreadsheets, and database management. 2. Interpersonal skills. Personal assistants may work with different individuals each day. Being pleasant and attentive contributes to a positive work environment and client experience. 3. Organizational skills. Whether filing papers or completing forms, personal assistants must ensure that files, folders, and schedules are in proper order so an office or home can run efficiently. 4. Writing skills. Personal assistants freLooking at the Words quently write memos and e-mails when comAn database is an organized, municating with manaccessible collection of agers, employees, and data stored on a computer customers. Therefore, or server. they must have good grammar and maintain Flexible means being able to a professional tone. adapt and compromise with any situation.

In addition to these skills, Unethical has to do with things a personal assistant must also that are morally wrong. be flexible. A good personal assistant will be ready for anything and everything. “If my boss needs me to do something, I can’t refuse, even if it is something I don’t feel like doing,” Samantha says. “Being a personal assistant means I must be okay with stepping outside of my comfort zone.” That doesn’t mean, of course, that a personal assistant should ever feel she should do something unethical at her boss’s request!

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Wise Words “Respect your efforts, respect yourself. Self-respect leads to self-discipline. When you have both firmly under your belt, that’s real power.” Clint Eastwood “Mastering yourself is true power.” Lao Tzu “Hold yourself responsible for a higher standard than anybody else expects of you. Never excuse yourself. Never pity yourself. Be a hard master to yourself— and be lenient to everybody else.” Henry Ward Beecher “The individual who wants to reach the top . . . must appreciate the might and force of habit. He must be quick to break those habits that can break him— and hasten to adopt those practices that will become the habits that help him achieve the success he desires.” J. Paul Getty

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As a PA, you must accept responsibility for your mistakes without becoming angry or defensive. A personal assistant also has to be disciplined. “Becoming a personal assistant can require a lot of selfdiscipline,” Samantha says. “You have to be willing to take responsibility for your own learning. There are no teachers telling you to do

Looking at the Words Someone is disciplined when she strictly controls her way of working and behaving.

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your homework or testing your knowledge. You need to force yourself to learn.” Last, personal assistants should have a good sense of direction. You may be asked to run errands that require leaving your usual work place, whether an office or home. Having a good sense of direction will help with any traveling you may have to do. You don’t want to spend all your time wandering around lost every time your boss sends you on an errand!

Becoming a Personal Assistant

“When it comes to finding a job as a personal assistant, experience is everything,” Samantha says. “You will need to start small and work your way up.” Samantha began working as a secretary at a small company that sold office supplies. In addition to learning on the job, she also took several computer classes at a local college. After two years, Samantha realized she would rather work for one person instead of many. “I saw an ad looking for a personal assistant for an executive of a small company,” Samantha says. “The only requirement was experience as a secretary, administrative assistant, or personal assistant.” The knowledge Samantha gained at her first job, in addition to the computer classes she had taken, made her a top choice. “Working for just one person was very different from working for an entire office,” Samantha says. “Instead of general secretarial work, I was asked to perform more personal tasks.” Some of her assignments include making appointments for her boss and taking notes during his meetings.

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An executive assistant may accompany her employer throughout his workday, keeping him organized, taking notes, and coordinating his schedule.

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Wise Words “Act as if what you do makes a difference. It does.” William James “No one is useless in this world who lightens the burdens of another.” Charles Dickens “Those who are happiest are those who do the most for others.” Booker T. Washington “I never thought in terms of being a leader. I thought very simply in terms of helping people.” John Hume “By doing something positive in this world, you’re helping people and the future.” Rick Danko

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She has been a personal assistant with the same person for about five years now, and she spends several hours with him every day. “Sometimes, it feels like I am following him around all day, which is why I’m so glad we get along.” If Samantha did not have a friendly relationship with her boss, the job might become difficult. “Not every personal assistant will get along with every boss. Finding the right fit for you can take some time. However, it is important that you find someone you enjoy working for,” Samantha says. Keep in mind that there are several types of personal assistants. Samantha’s story is just one of many. “In the end,” Samantha says, “it’s about helping people.”

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C ha p t e r 4

How Much Can I Make?

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our salary as a personal assistant depends on the type of person you are helping. A personal assistant working for a very wealthy person will make a lot more than one working for a small company. Some dedicated personal assistants can earn more than $50,000 a year. Walter Johnson has been a personal assistant for more than forty years, and he recently became a personal assistant for a wealthy employer. For Walter, getting to this point

When you’re starting out, you may feel that you deserve to be paid more for your hard work. The best way to get raises is to keep working hard without complaining.

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Hourly vs. Salary

Some personal assistants are paid an hourly wage, while others receive a an annual salary. Earning wages by the hour has advantages and disadvantages. Unlike a salaried employee, you are paid for the exact number of hours you work. If you work more hours one week than another, you will receive more pay for that first week than the second. Salaried employees, on the other hand, receive equal payments every week that will add up to their yearly salary. When a salaried employee works more hours one week than another, her pay is the same for both weeks.

took a lot of persistence, self-discipline, and hard work. “Even if you find a job at Looking at the Words a wealthy company, it doesn’t mean you will make a lot [of Persistence means continuing a money] to start with,” Walter course of action despite the path says. “You need to prove yourbecoming difficult, and not getself and gain experience first.” ting discouraged when you fail. A personal assistant with more experience and understanding of his employer’s business field will likely be offered higher pay. “Don’t get discouraged just because you have to start small,” Walter says. “All of us started somewhere.” Today, Walter earns a salary of more than $100,000 annually.

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Managerial Responsibilities While a personal assistant and a manager may play two different roles, a personal assistant often needs managerial skills. If asked, you should be able to manage your boss’s schedule and budget. Also, if your boss has a second assistant, you must be able to manage that employee. Being a good communicator and manager plays an essential role in executing your responsibilities as a personal assistant.

Although making $100,000+ a year may seem like a dream, it does come with a heavy price. Unlike other personal assistants, Walter is on call all hours of the day and night. His boss can call him anytime, and Walter rarely takes vacations. “I work for a lawyer,” Walter says. “Part of my job is in the office, but sometimes I am needed in her house, too. I am paid as much as I am for my availability. My hours depend entirely on how busy my boss is. If she has a lot of clients, I will be working a lot.” Some weeks, Walter may be asked to work more than fifty hours. “I must also be willing to travel a lot,” Walter says. “I travel with her and make sure the court dates run smoothly.” Since court cases can last for days or weeks, “I must be willing to spend a lot of time away from home at a moment’s notice if it is needed,” Walter adds.

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A PA helps every aspect of his employer’s life run more smoothly.

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A PA who works for an executive is likely to make more money than one who works in a home setting.

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Being a PA can mean long hours. Walter has learned to nap whenever his boss can spare him! Walter spends so much time worrying about his employer that he rarely has time to think about himself. “Earning this much [money] as a personal assistant can be fun, but it is also a lot more stressful than my other jobs [were].”

Average Salaries

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the average annual salary of all occupations within the United States is $33,840. Secretaries and administrative assistants earn slightly more than that—roughly $34,600

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As a PA, you may feel as though you need six arms! The more responsibilities you can handle, however, the more you will be likely to be paid.

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per year. Executive and legal secretaries can make more than $40,000 a year. On average, most people within the administrative field in general will earn anywhere between $20,000 and $50,000 annually. “A personal assistant must do more than a secretary, and will usually be paid more than an administrative assistant,” Walter says. Not every personal assistant will make high-level earnings, but the possibility of earning more than $40,000 is possible. “In general, a personal assistant with more skills and experience will be more likely to find a job that pays very well,” Walter says. Some skills may increase a personal assistant’s salary, such as being able to plan events, make travel arrangements, or manage an office for a short time while the boss is away. “The more your boss can rely on you, the more you are worth to her,” Walter says. “You get paid for your worth, so it is really up to you to prove that you are the best person for the job.” He adds: “Where you live and work can also influence your pay.” Many wealthy executives build their businesses in large cities. “If you want a higher salary, you may need to think about moving. However, just because you work in a city doesn’t mean you have to live there,” Walter says. Even if an employer cannot pay you well, she Looking at the Words may know other people in the business world who can. A person is networking when By meeting and getting to he is connecting with others and know these people, you will forming productive relationships be networking. with them, usually for employ“Networking can be an ment or business. important part of finding a steady job as a personal assistant,” Walter says. A

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Personal assistants who work in legal and corporate settings may make more money, but they may also have wardrobe expenses. If you work as a PA in a more relaxed setting, you will probably be able to dress more casually.

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personal assistant who knows a lot of people will have more choices when looking for a new job. “When you have more options, you have more freedom. You can choose the job you like the most based on many factors, including how much you will be paid and how well you will get along with your new boss.” “If you prove to enough people that you know what you are doing, you are bound to find a great job,” Vincent adds.

How Much Can I Make?

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C ha p t e r 5

“A

Looking to the Future

s a whole, the job description of a personal assistant is expected to change a lot over the next few years,” says Patricia, who has been a personal assistant for more than twenty-five years. “The largest reason for this Looking at the Words is technology and how it Technology refers to obaffects our lives.” jects or techniques that have been developed and used to solve a problem or achieve a goal.

According to the United States Bureau of Labor Statistics, administrative assistant positions are likely to continue to grow at a rate of 12 percent, which is 2 percent less than all occupations within the United States. Of course, personal assistants are just a fraction of this category. “When choosing which type of personal assistant to become, you should do your research,” Patricia says. The growth rate of any type of personal assistant will be directly related to the field where she’s working. The legal field, for example, is expanding slowly compared to other occupations. Medical secretaries, on the other hand, are expected to expand at a rate of 41 percent, which is three times more than the average of all occupations!

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The job outlook for medical secretaries is positive.

Looking to the Future

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Wise Words “To accomplish great things we must not only act, but also dream; not only plan, but also believe.” Anatole France “Happiness is not in the mere possession of money; it lies in the joy of achievement, in the thrill of creative effort.” Franklin D. Roosevelt “Commit yourself to your own success and follow the steps required to achieve it.” Steve Maraboli “Trust yourself. Follow your interests. They will be good guides on the path of life. Believe in your ability to follow them with strength and purpose.” Anne Constance

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Personal Assistant

Technology and Change

In the business world, almost everyone relies on technology in one way or another. Companies have used phone systems and computers for decades. Almost all information is now e-mailed or faxed. A personal assistant’s job has become both easier and more complicated as a result of new technology. “I have to learn more and do more than I once did, and a lot of that work requires a computer,” Patricia says.

Your computer skills could help you land a great job.

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Expressing Your Passion Comedian and speaker, Colin Ryan writes: Once you find your passion, you may feel afraid it’s unlikely to come true. First, don’t lose heart. Second, be careful about putting that excitement into preordained boxes—such as, “I like drawing so I must become an architect,” or “I like people so I should I be a psychologist.” There are two dangers that come from these preordained boxes. One, they can push us into something we don’t really want to do. Personally, I love writing, but I discovered firsthand during two years of pretending otherwise, that being a journalist wasn’t the kind of writing I wanted to be doing. The other danger is that those boxes are often created by a culture that glamorizes fame and wealth. Here’s a common example: what if you love to sing? You could tell yourself, “I better audition for The Voice.” Instead, try thinking: “I love to sing, but I also like helping people. I’m going to get a job as an assistant to someone who is already in the industry I love.” You’ll learn a lot more about the business that interests you, while having a paycheck. Then you can decide whether you want to pursue it further down the road. (Adapted from the essay “The Truth About Finding Your Passion” by Colin Ryan. More of his work can be found at his website, http://astanduplife.com.)

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Personal Assistant

Today’s PA needs to be comfortable using a variety of devices. Some of the technology in use today is still relatively new. Members of the younger generations have an advantage when it comes to understanding the technology of tomorrow. “I worked for one boss who didn’t really know how to use a computer,” Patricia says. “A lot of my job was helping him learn the basics. If he was ever truly stumped, he would just ask me to do a task for him.” Although personal assistants do not need a college degree, they will need some understanding of computer technology. Fortunately, you can learn this in a lot of places. There are plenty of classes that can be taken at a vocational school. Information about new technology is easy to find on the Internet. Or, you could ask a friend or family member to teach

Looking to the Future

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you. Maybe you already know a lot, just from playing around on computers in your free time! “My friend knows a lot about computers, so I just asked him to show me how to use the basic programs,” Patricia says. “He taught me how to use a word processor and image editor. This little bit of technical knowledge has helped me find and keep plenty of jobs.” Technology also affects personal assistants’ jobs in another way. “Some of my job can now be done using the newest technology,” Patricia says. “I’m not even needed! Virtual personal assistants are becoming more popular, and some human personal assistants are worried.” Virtual personal assistants are computer programs that perform simple tasks. Originally, the programs could only schedule appointments in a virtual planner. Today, these electronic personal assistants can do much more. Some common tasks include planning events, finding information online, or serving as a global positioning system (GPS). However, a human personal assistant’s job is complex. Even if a computer program can schedule tasks, it can’t replace what personal assistants do physically. “A computer program can’t go to the store to buy something for my boss, and it can’t call up a company and schedule a meeting,” Patricia says. “As long as technology can’t do that, personal assistants will always be needed.”

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Find Out More In Books France, Sue. The Definitive Personal Assistant & Secretarial Handbook: A Best-Practice Guide for All Secretaries, PAs, Office Managers and Executive Assistants. London, UK: Kogan Page, 2009. Freeman, Jasmine, Nancy Fraze, and Joan Burge. Who Took My Pen . . . Again? Secrets from Dynamic Executive Assistants. Las Vegas, Nev.: Office Dynamics, 2012. Low-Kramen, Bonnie. Be the Ultimate Assistant: A Celebrity Assistant’s Secrets to Working with Any High-powered Employer. New York: NK Publications, 2008.

On the Internet Brazen Careerist. “Life Hacks from a Personal Assistant.” blog.brazencareerist.com/2011/09/21/life-hacks-from-a-personalassistant Job Diagnosis. “How Do I Become a Personal Assistant?” www.jobdiagnosis.com/myblog/personal-assistant.htm Personal Assistant Pro. www.personalassistantpro.com

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Bibliography Education Portal. “Personal Assistant Training Programs and Requirements.” http://education-portal.com/personal_assistant_training.html (accessed March 27, 2013). eHow. “How to Be a Personal Assistant.” http://www.ehow.com/ how_2050231_be-personal-assistant.html (accessed March 27, 2013). Personal Assistant Pro. “How much can you really make as a Personal Assistant?” http://www.personalassistantpro.com/public/176. cfm?sd=21 (accessed March 27, 2013). U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. “Occupational Outlook Handbook: Secretaries and Administrative Assistants.” http://www.bls.gov/ooh/officeand-administrative-support/secretaries-and-administrative-assistants. htm (accessed March 27, 2013). Wisegeek. “What is a Personal Assistant?” http://www.wisegeek.com/ what-is-a-personal-assistant.htm (accessed March 27, 2013).

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Index administrative assistant 16, 31, 36, 49, 54 appointment 22, 36, 60

memo 33

boss 14–15, 18–19, 22–25, 33, 36, 39, 44, 47, 49, 51, 59–60 Bureau of Labor Statistics 31, 47, 54, 62

organization 15, 24

coffee 17 college 8–9, 11, 13–17, 19, 36, 59 computer 13, 16, 24, 26, 32–33, 36, 57, 59–60

networking 49

phone 13, 24, 57 salary 41, 43, 47, 49 schedule 15, 29, 37, 44, 60 self-discipline 34–35, 43 shopping 10, 22, 27 technology 53, 57, 59–60

e-mail 13, 24–25, 33 fax 24

virtual personal assistants 60 vocational schools 13

medical secretary 54–55 meetings 23–24, 36, 49, 60

wages 43 writing skills 33

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About the Author Connor Syrewicz is a writer and editor from Binghamton, New York. He was raised on Long Island, has a degree in English, and spends most of his time writing and facilitating other creative projects. His interests include art and philosophy, which he actively incorporates into his writing.

Picture Credits

Dreamstime Stock Photography banner, p. 20: Dmitry Shironosovov; p. 10: Goodluz; p. 17: Ende; p. 18: PhotoEupohoria: p. 25: Warren Goldswain; p. 26: Auremar; p. 30: Zurijeta; p. 32: Raissa Nugumanova; p. 35; Gabriel Blaj; p. 40: Jason Stitt; p. 42: Ted Denson; p. 45: Nejron; p. 48: AlphaSpirit; p. 52: Sellingpix; p. 54: James Thew; p. 55: Endostock iStock Photo p.6: Gehringj; p. 8: Joshua Hodge Photography; pp. 12, 22: Monkey Business; p. 37: FDS11 Fotolia p. 46: Sebastian Gauert; p. 47: Kal Koehler; p. 50: Rob Byron; p. 57: Isaiah Love; p. 59: Tomasz Papuga

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