Secretaries are responsible for coordinating an office's administrative activities. At its core, this job ensures that an office runs smoothly. There are a wide variety of clerical and administrative duties that secretaries need to accomplish in order to make this happen. They schedule appointments, draft correspondence, provide information to outsiders, handle office inventory, and create and maintain files in either hard-copy or electronic form.

Some secretaries perform highly specialized work requiring special knowledge and skills. For example, executive secretaries and administrative assistants work for high-ranking executives within an organization and provide senior-level administrative and clerical support. These professionals may also manage the scheduling for a top executive or senior manager, thereby becoming a most trusted aide.

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Secretary Schools

Secretary education requirements, which can vary widely, depend on the specific job. Education for this profession can be obtained through business programs offered by high schools, junior colleges, community colleges, and postsecondary schools. Some schools have work-study programs in which students can work in clerical jobs while still in school. Students can also seek out summer employment in the clerical field. Helpful courses to take while in school include business software, business math, computers, word processing, and office practices. The following schools offer administrative assistant training programs that lead to certificates or associate degrees:

  • Penn Foster Career Schools - This online school provides an administrative assistant career diploma program that can prepare students to become an administrative assistant in as little as five months.
  • Indiana Wesleyan University - This evangelical Christian university offers an online Associate of Science in business that can prepare students to support the daily operations of a business.
  • Baker College Online - This fully online school offers an Associate of Science in business that combines classroom instruction with real-world experience.
  • Colorado Technical University - This university offers an online Associate of Science in business administration with a focus on communications and decision-making skills in the workforce.

Secretary Education Requirements

The minimum formal training required in this field is a high school diploma. Individuals with this level of education must also learn basic office skills in order to secure an entry-level position. Secretary education requirements that go beyond the diploma level may be completed through one- and two-year office administration training programs generally offered by community colleges and vocational schools. Temporary placement agencies are also known to offer secretary training in office and computer skills.

Specialized secretaries typically require a higher level of education. Most medical and legal secretaries are required to enroll in specialized training programs that impart industry-related knowledge. Employers of executive secretaries are increasingly inclined to seek candidates with a college degree. A degree which is related to the business or industry in which a candidate seeks employment can provide the applicant with a distinct advantage in the job market.

Once on the job, most secretaries will learn more advanced skills over time. This may come in the form of instruction by other colleagues, software or equipment vendors, instructor-led classes, or online courses. As technologies and office automation continue to evolve, continuing education will remain a critical element in the role of a secretary.

Administrative Assistant Training Programs

In recent years, with the reliance on office technology expanding at a rapid pace, the secretary's role has evolved to the point where secretaries now assume responsibilities once reserved for managerial and professional staff. For example, many secretaries now conduct research on the Internet, operate and troubleshoot new office technologies, and provide training to new staff members.

All these responsibilities require well-developed word processing, writing and communication skills. Most administrative assistant training programs will help students sharpen these skills.

If you are seeking formal secretarial training, you have several options:

  • Associate Degree: Some vocational schools and community colleges offer one- to two-year training programs in office administration and secretarial duties. These are beneficial for developing basic office skills and improving your chances of employment at entry-level positions. Associate degrees in business related fields are also helpful for learning the fundamentals of running a successful business.
  • Bachelor's Degree: Executive secretaries and higher-level administrative positions will sometimes require a college degree, preferably in a business discipline or in a field related to the company's business.
  • Specialized Training: Those seeking employment in specialized fields, such as medical and legal, may be required to attend administrative assistant training programs specific to that field.

After completing your training and landing yourself a job, make sure to stay informed on new office and organizational technologies.

Secretary Certification and Licensing

Industry-recognized certifications are available through organizations such as the International Association of Administrative Professionals, the National Association of Legal Secretaries (NALS), and Legal Secretaries International.

Certifications are awarded at different proficiency levels, and more advanced varieties can be earned as secretaries advance and gain experience in their careers. Some of the more prominent designations include the Certified Professional Secretary (CPS) and the Certified Administrative Professional (CAP) certifications, which can be earned by establishing a certain experience or educational threshold level and by passing an examination. Legal secretaries with one year of experience in the legal field can acquire the Accredited Legal Secretary (ALS) designation through a testing process administered by NALS.

Resources for Secretaries

Sources:

    1. Baker College Online, http://www.baker.edu/baker-online/programs-degrees/interests/business/
    2. Colorado Technical University, http://www.coloradotech.edu/degrees/associate/business
    3. Indiana Wesleyan University, https://www.indwes.edu/adult-graduate/as-business/
    4. Penn Foster Career Schools, http://www.pennfoster.edu/programs-and-degrees/administrative-assistant/administrative-assistant-career-diploma
    5. Secretaries and Administrative Assistants, U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Outlook Handbook, http://www.bls.gov/ooh/office-and-administrative-support/secretaries-and-administrative-assistants.htm

    Secretaries Skills

    Below are the skills needed to be secretaries according to their importance on the scale of 1 to 5 (1 being lowest and 5 being highest) and competency level on a scale of 1 to 7 (1 being lowest and 7 being highest).

       
    Skill NameImportanceCompetence
    Active Listening44
    Reading Comprehension44
    Speaking3.883.88
    Service Orientation3.753.75
    Writing3.753.75

    Secretaries Abilities

    Below are the abilities needed to be secretaries according to their importance on the scale of 1 to 5 (1 being lowest and 5 being highest) and competency level on a scale of 1 to 7 (1 being lowest and 7 being highest).

       
    Ability NameImportanceCompetence
    Oral Comprehension44
    Oral Expression44
    Speech Recognition44.12
    Written Comprehension44
    Written Expression44

    Secretaries Knowledge

    Below are the knowledge areas needed to be secretaries according to their importance on the scale of 1 to 5 (1 being lowest and 5 being highest) and competency level on a scale of 1 to 7 (1 being lowest and 7 being highest).

       
    Knowledge AreaImportanceCompetence
    Clerical4.526.03
    English Language4.163.97
    Customer and Personal Service3.463.75
    Computers and Electronics3.33.8
    Administration and Management3.183.28

    Secretaries Work activities

    Below are the work activities involved in being secretaries according to their importance on the scale of 1 to 5 (1 being lowest and 5 being highest) and competency level on a scale of 1 to 7 (1 being lowest and 5 being highest).

       
    Work ActivityImportanceCompetence
    Communicating with Supervisors, Peers, or Subordinates4.645.06
    Establishing and Maintaining Interpersonal Relationships4.535.38
    Getting Information4.54.33
    Organizing, Planning, and Prioritizing Work4.495.95
    Communicating with Persons Outside Organization4.454.52

    Secretaries Work styles

    Below are the work styles involved in being secretaries according to their importance on the scale of 1 to 5 (1 being lowest and 5 being highest).

       
    Work StyleImportance
    Attention to Detail4.59
    Integrity4.58
    Dependability4.56
    Cooperation4.46
    Adaptability/Flexibility4.16

    Metro Areas Sorted by Total Employment for
    Secretaries

    Listed below are the 10 largest metro areas based on the total number of people employed in Secretaries jobs , as of 2019

       
    Metro AreaTotal EmploymentAnnual Mean Salary
    Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim91,330$44,860
    Dallas-Fort Worth-Arlington43,260$38,390
    Houston-The Woodlands-Sugar Land40,550$39,240
    Miami-Fort Lauderdale-West Palm Beach40,060$37,100
    Atlanta-Sandy Springs-Roswell39,700$36,190
    Phoenix-Mesa-Scottsdale30,640$37,960
    Baltimore-Columbia-Towson28,820$41,900
    San Francisco-Oakland-Hayward28,810$51,170
    Detroit-Warren-Dearborn19,830$39,950
    Denver-Aurora-Lakewood19,210$42,080

    Compare Total Employment & Salaries for Secretaries

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    Total employment and salary for professions similar to secretaries

    Source : 2019 Occupational Employment Statistics and 2018-28 Employment Projections, Bureau of Labor Statistics, BLS.gov; O*NET® 24.3 Database, O*NET OnLine, National Center for O*NET Development, Employment & Training Administration, U.S. Department of Labor, onetonline.org

    We have some additional detailed pages at the state level for Secretaries.

    Numbers in parentheses are counts of relevant campus-based schools in the state; online schools may also be available.