Unlocking the World of Administration: Careers Beyond the Desk

2nd December 2024

Last week, in collaboration with the West Midlands PA Forum, we hosted a workshop for sixth form students to explore the rewarding world of administrative careers. Whether you’re thinking about becoming a Personal Assistant (PA), Executive Assistant (EA), or pursuing another administrative or business support role, the session provided valuable insights.

Challenging Stereotypes

We kicked off by breaking down myths about administrative roles. Admin professionals do much more than schedule meetings - they provide strategic support to senior leaders, manage projects, and solve problems creatively. These roles can involve organising events and handling unexpected challenges, demonstrating the dynamic nature of the job.

Real-Life Insights

Guest speakers, including experienced PAs and EAs, shared their career stories. Many started in traditional admin roles but advanced into leadership positions across industries, showing the career growth and versatility within administration.

Career Paths and Skills

We discussed the wide range of sectors where admin professionals are needed, from healthcare to tech, and the transferable skills they develop - such as communication, organisation, and multitasking - that can open doors to leadership roles in other fields.

Future Workshops and Opportunities

The workshop also gave students a chance to share thoughts on the skills essential for success, such as emotional intelligence and technical proficiency. We encouraged students to explore administrative careers further, offering resources on job opportunities, CV building, and interview tips. 

Admin careers are not just behind-the-scenes roles; they are vital to business success. We hope the workshop inspired students to consider the wide-ranging opportunities in this field and look forward to seeing their future success!

A huge thank you to the West Midlands PA Forum and our amazing partners Savient, JW Hinks, Amazon, Belmont Healthcare, and Your Virtual Executive Assistant Ltd for inspiring the next generation!