Rosa Barrera

English III Honors

Mrs. Kopp.
26 February 2015
Executive Assistant
Executive assistants play a major role in operating a business, and once in enough
training know how to run any aspect of the business when the chief executive officer of the
business appears absent. An assistant with enough training could also direct and manage
meetings for the chief executive officer thus proving they provide a tremendous amount of help.
The job description of an executive assistant includes working in a professional environment,
providing quality customer service, and organizing and managing day-to-day operations at the
business. As a future career, becoming an executive assistant requires characteristics from a
person; they need to learn quickly, prove their knowledge with computers, and overall an
organized and decent person. Executive assistants not only provide assistance in businesses, but
also provide assistance with the chief executive officers personal life, staff and organization of
their meetings.
Industries change as the years pass by, local companies go on and become national and
highly spread all through the business market. As of today, the highest position of a business
consists of the chief executive officer followed by the executive assistant (Occupational
Outlook Handbook). This marks the executive assistant as an important aspect to the success of
not only the chief executive officer, but of the business as a whole. Part of their everyday tasks
include attending and answering telephone calls, programing meetings the chief executive officer

must attend, helping with personal matters they might phase and many other objectives
(Occupational Outlooks Handbook). Due to the demands of the people all around the world,
expansions in companies increased dramatically in the last 5 years causing these chief executive
officers to employ more and more executive assistants who willingly assist to help do the job
correctly (Occupational Outlooks Handbook).
Executive assistants acknowledge their importance in the chief executive officers
success, thus striving higher in managing and controlling their part of the business. Kim
Clapper, an executive assistant of the U.S National Environmental Health Association states that
her primary goal still remains to help manage and support his executive director, Nelson. She
recognized that in order to become a valuable executive assistant, motivation not only needs to
play a major part but also a desire to leave an impact on the job you do. Choosing this career
gave her experience, and not only opportunities to cultivate new skills but also work with
intelligent, dedicated, and passionate people (Clapper 65). Other professionals in this field agree
that in order to become an extraordinary executive assistant motivation is only one of the many
characteristics an executive assistant must possess.
Knowing various languages in this field allow executive assistants to prove their skills
and help run the business smoother, considering that the market expands internationally rather
than native speaking businesses (Institute for Career Research). Education for executive
assistants includes on-the-job training as well as a major in business. Knowing specific
languages could classify an assistant as a good candidate for the job; the most commonly spoken
languages consist of both English and Spanish and will help a future executive assistant in an
interview (Secretaries and Administrative Assistants). Advantages executive assistants have
that know two languages or more include their application to supersede amongst the rest, thus

allowing them a better change in receiving the job. Bilingual employees help expand the
opportunities in the company, thus bringing more contractors from all over the world and making
the company become international.
However, disadvantages executive assistants face lead to them not having a personal life,
due to the amount of work and dedication towards the chief executive officer. Key aspects for
the executive assistant to help the chief executive succeed include controlling the chief executive
officers meetings in a limited amount of time and dedicating time to paying off their expenses
for their business and personal life (Stone 44). The assistant commits a tremendous amount of
knowledge in order to manage a high level of finance, thus dealing with most of the delicate
aspects of the company; an executive assistant proves their honesty and loyalty towards the chief
executive officer.
Another characteristic an executive assistant must work on includes stress the job
provokes and maintaining calm during difficult situations; they cannot always control everything
that goes on in the business or detect unplanned situations (Stone). Unpredictable problems
surface at any given moment without notice, a good executive assistant needs to take immediate
action to solve the problem; planning ahead various solutions helps these problems go through
almost unnoticed (Herbers). An outstanding assistant discreetly deals with variable that go
wrong in the office, meaning they know how to keep calm under pressure.
An outstanding executive assistant also uses a systematic way to organize in order to act
fast when a problem comes up; this quality aids majorly in controlling the chief executive
officers agenda (Institute for Career Research). However just because the assistant knows
how to organize and manage the chief executive officers agenda does not mean the chief

executive officer follows it exactly, they need to recognize the other variables that go in the chief
executive officers everyday life.
Judie Harris, an executive assistant for Three Superintendents of Francis Tuttle
Technology Center provides a good example of how an executive assistant handles these
variables on a daily basis. She spoke of her years in this career which gave her the opportunity
to demonstrate her loyalty and commitment towards each of her superintendents (Oklahoma
Executive Assistant Profile: Judie M. Harris). Demonstrating loyalty towards her
superintendents provided an encouragement, and built a foundation of strong trust in between her
and her chief executive officers. Judie stated her biggest motivation has always been her father,
which told her when you lay your head upon your pillow at days end, and you feel
peacefulness as you drift to sleep, then you have fulfilled your daily responsibility to honor and
respect yourself and those who have crossed your path (Oklahoma Executive Assistant Profile:
Judie M. Harris). This quote from her dad still follows her today and in everything she sets her
mind to do.
However in order to succeed in this career not only does the executive assistant need to
have a foundation of trust but also a series of characteristics. Some of these include having some
type of computer knowledge (Secretaries and Administrative Assistants). Martha Curtis, and
executive assistant for Motorsports Authentics, specified the importance of using computer
programs such as Excel, PowerPoint, Word, and overall computer knowledge (Curtis). These
Programs help an assistant not to physically attend a specific work site, but rather control
assignments virtually.
Vine Stone, a cyber-executive assistant for the emergency department in a hospital in
Maryland, mentioned herself as only appearing virtually at work (Stone 44). She also states that

her mobile device aids as her everyday communication, which means that she receives all calls
forwarded from the hospital to her cell phone (Stone). Example like these help see the
importance of technology for executive assistants.
An expansion of this career became an interesting aspect because it brings opportunities
not only for the executive assistant but also the chief executive officer (Paralegals and Legal
Assistants). Opportunities include producing more products as businesses increase, and also
increasing labor in these businesses (Todays True Business Partners 6). The U.S Department
of Labor conducted a survey in 2012 and recorded information estimating an increase of 12% by
the year 2022, adding 479,500 new jobs, therefore considered faster than average (Secretaries
and Legal Assistants). This assures that for the upcoming years a job as an executive assistant
will not run out.
Becoming an executive assistant as a future career allows a variety of options. Not only
can they work side-by-side with the chief executive officer but also become a manager for a
business (Todays True Business Partners 6). They can also conduct meetings with staff,
training them, and motivating them as well (Todays True Business Partners 6). These
assistants can vary from the type of work environment that they work in to an environmental
business or bank business (Institute for Career Research). Kezia Hawkins, an executive
assistant of the American Forest Board of Directors, writes in her article what a dramatic impact
going out of her usual work routine to discover a new job as an executive assistant, and starting a
deforestation project which helped the environment causing her great joy (Hawkins 11). Her
determination and urgency to help towards any project they send her way have part in what each
executive assistant should strive to obtain.

Hundreds of opportunities to become an executive assistant and succeed occur with this
versatile field. However, layoffs occur in many different types of work fields, such as food
industries medical industries, but since these businesses fall under the category of necessities,
these businesses have a lower chance of failing (Paralegals and Legal Assistants). Nonetheless
banking businesses which hold most of the assistants has a higher chance of failing (Institute for
Career Research). Martha Curtis, when asked about layoffs in this field stated, I have seen that
executive assistants are usually the last to leave mostly because they can be so versatile and do
just about any type of work that is needed (Curtis). This proves executive assistants provide a
major aid to chief executive officers.
Angie Herbers, an entrepreneur for businesses involving marketing sales provides an
example of how much of a help an executive assistant provides towards the entrepreneur. In her
article, she states her ideas on having an executive assistant while managing a 15-person
company, which overwhelms her and her partner, Kristen Luke (Herbers 45-46). Managing
these workers made them decide to hire an executive assistant, giving her responsibilities similar
to her and her partners. With this new assistant, they run the company more effectively; she
even says chief of staff became more of an accurate description of an executive assistant
(Herbers 45-46).
In order to accomplish the tasks of an executive assistant they must learn a series of
programs, which in the long run allows a more precise way of organizing the chief executive
officers agenda. Programs such as Excel and PowerPoint not only help an assistant but also the
chief executive officer in the sense that it organizes all their meetings and tasks for the day
(Stone 44). Executive assistants value these programs and most recent programs as well, mostly
relying on phones for important phone calls when away from the job site. These devices allow

assistants to answer the chief executive officers phone calls while away in a meeting or out for
the day (Stone 44). Other devices such as daily planners, alarms, and reminders on mobile
devices help with the planning and allowing for the completion of each task before leaving the
office (Institute for Career Research).
Communication skills as well as typing aid the assistant in their everyday work office.
John Chambers, a chief executive officer of Cisco Systems, states this type of skills as crucial
and that every executive assistant ought to have in order to do the job as an assistant correctly
(Todays True Business Partners 6). Proofreading and transcribing become two of the typing
skills these executive assistants use to restate what topics surfaced and what the chief executive
officer discussed in their meeting (Paralegals and Legal Assistants). Doing these transcribes
not only help the assistant to organize the topics that were discussed in the meeting, but also the
chief executive officer to pinpoint new objectives and not repeat the same topic over and over
again (Herbers 45-46). However, many new executive assistants find communication skills
challenging because they need to communicate and help the client understand the product or the
business in general (Todays True Business Partners 6). Also, both typing and communication
skills will improve and better yet allow the business to run a smooth path towards success.
In order to succeed the assistant must go through certain courses that help enhance their
knowledge in this career. Martha Curtis stated that even though the career as an executive
assistant requires an associates degree as the minimum type of degree, a bachelors degree
would allow for a higher pay (Curtis). Most businesses however provide the extra schooling that
an assistant needs throughout their time working there. Programs businesses provide include
basic business coursework, instruction in office computer applications used for record keeping,
accounting, schedule planning and document preparation, as well as project management and

research (Paralegals and Legal Assistants). Typing courses, English, and writing allow
assistants to make sure they compose correct sentences and spell everything correctly; however
high schools offer most of these courses, but a degree helps these assistants tremendously
(Curtis).
When an executive assistant works well and succeeds in their job, the pay scale increases
dramatically. Martha Curtis stated that the average income for executive assistants varies from
50k to 70k a year; the salary ranges because of the experiences they learn throughout the years
(Curtis). If an executive assistant shows all the characteristics needed in an executive assistant, it
improves their chances of achieving a higher pay scale (Herbers 45-46). As the industries
change, people consider becoming entrepreneurs thus allowing more jobs for future executive
assistants.
In order for an executive assistant to succeed they not only need to have interest in
assisting but also working in a fast paced environment (Institute for Career Research). The
importance of an executive assistant reflects on the business as a whole because the chief
executive officer needs aid in their business (Todays True Business Partners). This affect the
business overall because if the chief executive officer does not verify everything that goes on in a
meeting or the problems that surface on a daily basis, the business would fail (Herbers 45-46).
In a company that brings major profits, an executive assistant that knows exactly what is
expected of them will help not only help raise the value of a business but also the value of the
assistant doing her part to make the company better (Todays True Business Partners).
Experience and practice makes this profession considered harder than imagined only because
time and effort as well as schooling allow these executive assistants to succeed (Institute for

Career Research). However communication errors became what most of the executive
assistants consider challenging.
The field of executive assistants evolved like other business related fields. More
attainable than ever, technology allows programs to plan and organize faster thus helping
assistants become faster themselves (Stone 44). Also, an expansion of businesses throughout the
market allow the career of executive assistants to flourish and succeed (Institute for Career
Research). Executive assistants help manage and maintain a business, causing the outcome of
that business to succeed.
Angie Herbers proves as an example of how much of a help these executive assistants
provide towards their business. She sates that her business would not have succeeded as much as
it did if it were not for her executive assistant; also mentioning in her article how her assistant
not only helped her with organizing her and her partners schedules but also serving as a liaison
with staff, training them, and dealing with issues as they present themselves (Herbers 45-46).
Executive assistants such as Angies allow for expansion in this career, thus creating more jobs.
Lawyers became another way an executive assistant uses their profession to assist.
Lawyers often need to worry about different cases, however, having a paralegal or a legal
assistant helps them prepare for hearings, trials, and corporate meetings. Paralegals offer their
assistance as a demonstration through a variety of tasks, including maintaining and organizing
files, conducting legal research and drafting documents (Paralegals and Legal Assistants). On
the other hand, legal assistants work on a particular phase of the case rather than the whole case
from beginning to end. Because of these responsibilities, executive assistants specialize in
computer software to complete their everyday tasks by using electronic database management

and keeping up to date on the latest software used for electronic discovery (Paralegals and
Legal Assistants).
Executive assistants became a tremendous help for businesses because they not only
administrate the business but also work with staff by preparing them in order to do the job
correctly (Todays True Business Partners). To become an executive assistant a series of
certain characteristics are needed such as confidentiality, responsibility, managing stressful
situations, systematic, honest and organization of a daily planner (Institute for Career
Research). The chief executive officer should have confidentiality towards the executive
assistant because they manage not only the chief executive officers business life but also their
private life. The executive assistant must also become responsible because they have to do
exactly what the chief executive officer asks of them and not dilate (Oklahoma Executive
Assistant Profile: Judie M. Harris). Another characteristic these executive assistants should
always strive to do is managing stressful situation such as if a problem surfaces in the chief
executive officers personal life, the executive officer must know how to manage the problem
without affecting the business (Institute for Career Research).
When speaking of the job as an executive assistant, it becomes clear that not every person
in the business field qualifies to these important characteristics; however once in enough training
they can achieve the characteristics needed and aid the chief executive officer (Institute for
Career Research). Because the executive assistant becomes a type of manager, they must
present themselves every day at the business; this aids the chief executive tremendously because
these executive assistants know what happens in the business on a daily basis (Herbers 45-46).
Through experience these executive assistants learn exactly what each clientele looks for, and
what the business offers, allowing the business to flourish. An executive assistant becomes one

of the major sources to receive information and release it to the staff, discreetly if necessary
(Institute for Career Research).
Knowing that business are demanding reliable executive assistants allows more and more
people to reach their goal of becoming an executive assistant, thus leading to greater opportunity
to create a business of their own. Becoming an executive assistant means that the person will
know everything about how the business works and how it succeeds (Herbers 45-46).
In conclusion, becoming an executive assistant provides advantages as well as
disadvantages, making this career highly important in the eyes of any entrepreneur. As stated
above, executive assistants not only provide assistance in businesses but also with the chief
executive officers personal life, staff and organization of their meetings, thus allowing this field
to become one of the highly important job in the eyes of a chief executive officer.

Work Cited.
Curtis, Martha. Electronic Interview. 19 January 2015.
"Today's True Business Partners." Administrative Professional Today 40.12 (2014): 6.
Small Business Reference Center. Web. 6 Jan. 2015.
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Hawkins, Kezia. Executive Assistant to the CEO." American Forests 118.4 (2013): 11. Small
Business Reference Center. Web. 10 December 2014.
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Herbers, Angie. "A Good Executive Assistant Will Change Your Life." Investment Advisor 35.1
(2015): 45-46. Business Source Complete. Web. 3 January 2015.
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Institute for Career, Research. Career as an Executive Secretary: Administrative Professionals
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Institute for Career Research, 2007. EBook High School Collection (EBSCOhost). Web.
3 January 2015.
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Journal Record Staff, Report. "Oklahoma Executive Assistant Profile: Judie M. Harris, Francis

Tuttle Technology Center." Journal Record, the (Oklahoma City, OK) Regional Business
News. Web. 9 December 2014.
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Kim Clapper--Executive Assistant. Journal of Environmental Health. 68.10 (2006): 65.
Academic Search Complete. Web 7 December 2014.
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5861&db=a9h&AN=21066535&site=ehost-live>
Paralegals and Legal Assistants Occupational Outlook Handbook, 2014-15 Edition, Bureau of
Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor. Web. February 16, 2015
<http://www.bls.gov/ooh/legal/paralegals-and-legal-assistants.htm>
Secretaries and Administrative Assistants Occupational Outlook Handbook, 2014-15 Edition.
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Stone, Vini. "The Life of a Cyber Executive Assistant." Officepro 70.5 (2010): 44. Business
Source Complete. Web. 8 December 2014.
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