Secretary: Become a Professional Secretary in 5 Step
A Professional Secretary organizes an office and make sure that it flows
smoothly. The tasks for a Professional Secretary vary widely - from
filing to scheduling appointments. For entry-level jobs, only a high
school diploma or GED is required.
- Step 1: Researching a Professional Secretary's Career Duties and Education
Most
Professional Secretaries perform clerical work. This can include
planning and scheduling meetings and appointments, organizing paper and
electronic files, managing projects and contacting clients or other
businesses using the telephone, mail, websites and e-mail. They should
know how to use fax machines, photocopiers, scanners and
videoconferencing and telephone systems. They should have excellent
interpersonal skills and be able to deal with different types of people.
A Professional Secretary can learn many of their responsibilities on
the job. To advance more quickly they can take individual classes or
longer degree programs at vocational schools.
- Step 2: Begin a career as a Secretary by Earning an Associate's Degree
A
degree is not necessary to become a Professional Secretary. However,
those wishing to jumpstart their careers can earn an associate's degree
in administrative assisting. Often this includes learning certain
computer programs and office procedures.
- Step 3: Specialize in a Secretarial Degree
Those
wishing to be a specific type of Professional Secretary can take
further courses or pursue more specialized degree options. The most
common areas of specialization are as a legal secretary or a medical
secretary. Legal secretaries need to earn an associate's degree in
paralegal studies, also called an associate's degree in a legal
secretary. Those interested in health care can earn an associate's or
bachelor's degree in medical assisting.
- Step 4: Earn Licensing and Certification to Become a Professional Secretary
No
specific certification is required to become a secretary. However, some
organizations offer certifications that make an applicant more
marketable. These include the International Association of
Administrative Professionals, the National Association of Legal
Secretaries and Legal Secretaries International. These designations
include becoming a Certified Professional Secretary or a Certified
Administrative Professional.
- Step 5: Apply for a Job as a Professional Secretary
Secretaries
find employment in any type of office, both public and private. Most
employers require exceptional organizational skills, familiarity with
Microsoft Office and good interpersonal skills. Specialized secretaries
must be familiar with the type of business in which they are working.
Industry-specific academic work or previous experience is necessary.
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