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For fast-growing careers, health-care is where it's at. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), medical assistant will be among the fastest-growing occupation through 2016.
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DESCRIPTION
Administrative Assistants perform and coordinate office activities and ensure that information is delivered in a timely fashion to staff and clients. Managers, professionals, and other support staff rely on them to keep administrative operations under control. Their specific duties depend upon their level of responsibility and the type of company in which they are employed.

RESPONSIBILITIES
Administrative Assistants are responsible for a variety of administrative and clerical duties that are necessary to run and maintain organizations. They schedule appointments, give information to callers, organize and maintain files, and fill out forms. They may also type letters, make travel arrangements, or contact clients. In addition, Administrative Assistants operate office equipment. In today’s automated offices Administrative Assistants increasingly use personal computers to run spreadsheets, word processing, database management, desktop publish- ing, and graphics programs. Administrative Assistants perform fewer clerical tasks then lower level secretaries do.

WORKING CONDITIONS
Administrative Assistants usually work in offices with other professionals or in schools, hospitals, or doctors’ offices. Their jobs may involve sitting for long periods of time, but often are filled with a variety of responsibilities that keep them moving. Administrative Assistants generally work a standard 40-hour week.

EMPLOYMENT
Employment opportunities should be quite plentiful, especially for well-qualified Administrative Assistants, who, according to many employers, are in short supply. Demand for Administrative Assistants will rise as the economy grows and as more workers are employed in offices. The trend toward Administrative Assistants assuming more responsibilities traditionally reserved for managers and professionals should also stimulate demand.

Knowledge of word processing, spreadsheet, and database management programs are increasingly important and most employers require it. Administrative Assistants must be proficient in keyboarding and good at spelling, punctuation, and oral communication. Employers also look for communication and interpersonal skills, since an Administrative Assistant must be tactful in their dealings with many different people. Discretion, judgment, organizational ability, and initiative are important for higher lever positions.

ADVANCEMENT
Advancement for Administrative Assistants generally comes about by pro- motion to a position with more responsibilities. Qualified Administrative Assistants who broaden their knowledge of the company’s operations may be promoted to other positions such as clerical supervisor or office manager. Administrative Assistants with word processing experience can advance to jobs as word processing trainers, supervisors, or managers within their own companies.

*Source: U.S. Department of Labor, Bureau of Labor Statistics, May 2008 (2006-07) Edition