Check out this great article from Bonnie Low-Kramen that examines the reality of being an Executive Assistant.
The role of “executive assistant” (EA) is often misunderstood. Films such as The Devil Wears Prada and Nine to Five, along with television shows like Mad Men and The Office, contribute to obsolete notions about what assistants do. While a college degree is not necessary to be a stellar assistant, solid experience, high emotional intelligence, advanced technology skills, and a killer network are. In today’s global world, EAs who work for C-suite executives are referred to as the right arms to leaders, the backbone to companies, and the face of the company culture. They are the eyes, and ears, and the glue of the organization. As such, they are highly skilled, and sitting in a very important seat that is deserving of respect, acknowledgement, ongoing training, and fair compensation packages…
Executive assistants all over the world agree that there is a perception problem about the role that directly impacts the level of respect, or lack thereof, for the work. These images of women fetching coffee, typing, and answering the phone while filing their fingernails are outdated yet present, stubbornly and infuriatingly clinging to their roots in the 1960s.
As a result, EAs experience confusion from others about what their work involves in 2022. Sometimes there is a wholly incorrect and persisting belief that being an EA is “easy and anyone can do it,” resulting in lower salaries and diminished responsibilities. This is especially problematic when these perceptions come from the inside — from leaders and human resources staff…
Read the article here: Is “Executive Assistant” the Right Career for You?