How To Become a Secretary and Administrative Assistant

What degree do you need

One of the most common questions that we always get is what major or degree do I need to become Secretaries or what courses do I need to take.

We also asked Secretaries what did they major in college or university and here are the top 5 most popular majors that came up.

High school graduates who have basic office and computer skills usually qualify for entry-level Secretaries and Administrative Assistants positions.

How hard is it

You may need some previous work-related skill, knowledge or experience to be a Secretary and Administrative Assistant. For example, an electrician must complete three or four years of apprenticeship or several years of vocational training, and often must have passed a licensing exam, in order to perform the job.

Careers in this difficulty category will usually need 1 or 2 years of on-the-job training and informal training with experienced workers. These careers usually involve using communication and organizational skills to coordinate, supervise, manage, or train others to accomplish goals. Similar careers include hydroelectric production managers, travel agents, electricians, court reporters, and medical assistants.

License and certifications

Although not required, certification can demonstrate competency to employers. The International Association of Administrative Professionals offers the Certified Administrative Professional (CAP) certification. Candidates must have a minimum of 2 to 4 years of administrative work experience, depending on their level of education, and pass an examination.

Skills required

We asked other Secretaries if they could only have 5 skills, what would they be. Here is what they said.

Knowledge required

Just like any other job, you will need certain know-hows to excel at your job. Secretaries are generally very knowledgeable in these 5 key areas.

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