What is the career path for an executive assistant?

The career path for an executive assistant includes jobs as an executive assistant to progressively higher-level executives.

This doesn't just mean moving up within one organization but also becoming an executive assistant at progressively larger companies and organizations.

Here are the areas of focus to advance on the executive assistant career path:

• Education

While the minimum requirement in terms of education for an executive assistant is just a high school diploma, many in the field obtain associate's or bachelor's degrees.

Some also choose to take general business, administration, and computer-related courses to improve their chances of progress in this career path.

Employers vary, as some favor years of professional experience rather than education for this role.

• Training

Training can be received on the job in the first couple weeks or months of employment as an executive assistant.

Training might involve certain clerical tasks or the understanding of specific computer software that is relevant to the executive or industry.

Many are given the opportunity to shadow another executive assistant or are supervised in some way early on in their employment.

Here are some common responsibilities that executive assistants can expect training in:

• Scheduling practices for an executive

• Fielding phone calls, emails, and faxes

• Responding to inquiries to the executive's office

• Interfacing directly with clients or other relevant professionals

• Preparing documentation

• Managing an executive's travel

While these duties may vary depending on the company or industry it is in, and the specific executive, most executive assistants will excel if they work hard in these areas.

• Certifications

• Certified Administrative Professional (CAP) offered by The International Association of Administrative Professionals

• Microsoft Office Specialist (MOS) offered by Microsoft