Career Details

43-6014.00 - Secretaries and Administrative Assistants, Except Legal, Medical, and Executive

Perform routine administrative functions such as drafting correspondence, scheduling appointments, organizing and maintaining paper and electronic files, or providing information to callers.

Key Facts

Bright Outlook

Career Details

Green Job

Career Details

Current Employment

2,457,000

Estimate

Forecasted Employment

2,521,100

Estimate

Change in Employment

+64,000

Estimate

Change in Employment %

+2.6%

Estimate

Tasks

The tasks listed below can be performed to prepare you for a career in this field.

Core

Answer telephones and give information to callers, take messages, or transfer calls to appropriate individuals.
Greet visitors or callers and handle their inquiries or direct them to the appropriate persons according to their needs.
Locate and attach appropriate files to incoming correspondence requiring replies.
Open, read, route, and distribute incoming mail or other materials and answer routine letters.
Complete forms in accordance with company procedures.
Make copies of correspondence or other printed material.
Review work done by others to check for correct spelling and grammar, ensure that company format policies are followed, and recommend revisions.
Learn to operate new office technologies as they are developed and implemented.
Maintain scheduling and event calendars.
Schedule and confirm appointments for clients, customers, or supervisors.
Order and dispense supplies.
Conduct searches to find needed information, using such sources as the Internet.
Operate electronic mail systems and coordinate the flow of information, internally or with other organizations.
Use computers for various applications, such as database management or word processing.
Create, maintain, and enter information into databases.
Set up and manage paper or electronic filing systems, recording information, updating paperwork, or maintaining documents, such as attendance records, correspondence, or other material.
Operate office equipment, such as fax machines, copiers, or phone systems and arrange for repairs when equipment malfunctions.
Compose, type, and distribute meeting notes, routine correspondence, or reports, such as presentations or expense, statistical, or monthly reports.
Train and assist staff with computer usage.
Prepare conference or event materials, such as flyers or invitations.

Supplemental

Manage projects or contribute to committee or team work.
Mail newsletters, promotional material, or other information.
Provide services to customers, such as order placement or account information.
Prepare and mail checks.
Establish work procedures or schedules and keep track of the daily work of clerical staff.
Take dictation in shorthand or by machine and transcribe information.
Arrange conference, meeting, or travel reservations for office personnel.
Supervise other clerical staff and provide training and orientation to new staff.
Perform payroll functions, such as maintaining timekeeping information and processing and submitting payroll.
Collect and deposit money into accounts, disburse funds from cash accounts to pay bills or invoices, keep records of collections and disbursements, and ensure accounts are balanced.
Coordinate conferences, meetings, or special events, such as luncheons or graduation ceremonies.
Develop or maintain internal or external company Web sites.

All data sourced from US Department of Labor, Employment & Training Administration O*Net Database.

Knowledge

The items listed below are organized into sections that contain knowledge useful for pursuing a career in this field. Each section also contains a "Percentage of Importance" statistic that shows how relevant an item is to the occupation.

Clerical

English Language

Computers and Electronics

Customer and Personal Service

Administration and Management

Mathematics

Communications and Media

Economics and Accounting

Personnel and Human Resources

Public Safety and Security

Education and Training

All data sourced from US Department of Labor, Employment & Training Administration O*Net Database.

Tools

The tools listed below include machines, equipment, tools, and software that is useful for individuals who are interested in this career.

Computer data input devices

Computers

Typing machines and accessories

Cameras

Calculating machines and accessories

Duplicating machines

Personal communication devices

All data sourced from US Department of Labor, Employment & Training Administration O*Net Database.

Technology

The technologies listed below include machines, equipment, tools, and software that is useful for individuals who are interested in this career.

Content authoring and editing software

Content management software

Business function specific software

Data management and query software

Development software

Operating environment software

Information exchange software

Networking software

Network applications software

Finance accounting and enterprise resource planning ERP software

Utility and device driver software

System management software

Industry specific software

Security and protection software

Educational or reference software

All data sourced from US Department of Labor, Employment & Training Administration O*Net Database.

Certifications

FastForward at Virginia's Community Colleges is a short-term training program for high-demand industries, like healthcare, information technology, and skilled trades and infrastructure, helping Virginians get the jobs and salaries they need. Our goal is to get you trained, help you earn your certification, and get you into a career that can support you and your family. Explore the latest training program offerings by visiting FastForward

The certifications listed below are useful to pursue if you are interested in a career in this field.

Unknown

Product/Equipment

Core

All data sourced from US Department of Labor, Employment & Training Administration O*Net Database.

Licensing

The licensing information below is organized into sections and is useful for pursuing if you are interested in a career in this field.

No specific licensing information is listed for this occupation in the area you have selected.

All data sourced from US Department of Labor, Employment & Training Administration O*Net Database.

Related Programs

Programs related to this career, offered by participating institution(s), are listed below.

Clicking on the Degree programs in the list below will take you away from the Careers page.

INSTITUTION

PROGRAMS

Bridgewater College

Programs

Business Administration Major - BA

Bachelor of Arts

The George S. Aldhizer II Department of Economics and Business Administration offers two majors—economics and business administration—that prepare students to pursue managerial and other professional careers as well as graduate education. We build on the liberal arts foundation provided by the College’s general education program and give each student the knowledge, skills and experience to become a successful and ethical leader, capable of making valued contributions to his or her workplace, society and self. Through a combination of lectures, discussions, case analyses, team projects and presentations, and other in-class activities, courses are designed to integrate economic and business theory and practice; encourage independent and critical thinking using both qualitative and quantitative reasoning; and develop skills in decision making and implementation, teamwork and collaboration, and all forms of communication. Experiential learning opportunities abound through internships, study abroad programs and participation in student organizations, to supplement classroom learning. The economics major consists of 14 courses in economics and mathematics. Economics majors may choose among three tracks: business, government policy and preparation for graduate school via additional mathematics courses. Economics majors can also earn an emphasis in financial economics. The business administration major consists of 15 courses in business, economics and mathematics. To gain greater depth in a particular area of business, many students pursue one of the four concentrations we offer in the business administration major: accounting, finance, marketing and organization management. By taking additional courses, in one of these areas, students build specialization on the solid foundation provided by the business administration major. In addition to the previously mentioned majors, the department also offers minors in business administration, certified financial planning, and economics.

Paul D. Camp Community College

Programs

Randolph-Macon College

Programs

Business - Finance (BA)

Bachelor of Arts

A major in business offers students the opportunity to explore theories and concepts from accounting, business, and economics. Students study in an active learning environment and begin to understand and appreciate the complex nature of business organizations through applied economic theory. A major in business prepares students for a career in all business environments and provides an excellent foundation for graduate studies in such fields as business and law. The major in business requires a common core of courses plus one of three concentrations: Finance, Management, or Marketing. All courses in the core and in each concentration must be completed with a grade of C- or better.

Business - Management (BA)

Bachelor of Arts

Business - Marketing (BA)

Bachelor of Arts

Southside Virginia Community College

Programs

Tidewater Community College

Programs

Virginia Peninsula Community College

Programs

Wytheville Community College

Programs