Secretary

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Work Tasks

SECRETARYS are responsible for various administrative and clerical duties. They organize and maintain paper and electronic files, and plan and schedule meetings and appointments. They manage projects, conduct research on the Internet, and provide information by using the telephone, postal mail, or e-mail. They may also handle travel arrangements. They use office equipment such as copiers, fax machines, and phones with voice mail capabilities. They use computers to create spreadsheets, compose correspondence, and manage databases. They prepare presentations, reports, and documents with desktop publishing software.

Salary, Size & Growth

• $33,500 average per year ($16.00 per hour)
• A very large occupation (1,841,000 workers in 2010)
• Expected to grow slowly (0.5% per year)

Entry Requirements

Employers increasingly require SECRETARIES to have knowledge of software applications, such as word processing, spreadsheets, and database management. Training for secretaries ranges from high school programs that teach office skills to 1- to 2-year programs in office administration offered by business schools, vo-tec institutes, and community colleges. Some skills are learned on the job. Bachelor's degrees and certification are becoming increasingly important as business continues to become more global.