Executive Assistant?
Asked by Entrepreneur
How does one become an Executive Assistant? What kind of schooling is required?

Best Answer:
Most good EA's do not have colleg degrees, they started as an Administrative Assistant and gained a reputation for delivering results consistently and without complaint. As to what it takes; beyond commitment and hard work you should have solid experience with Word and Excel as well as PowerPoint. Most Executive Assistants will actually do the bulk of research and creation of Executive's presentations, letters, etc. Good people skills and time management skills are another requirement to rise within the ranks. My mother-in-law is an EA for a hospital Executive Adminsitrator (VP) and makes a very good living ($65K) and I have placed other EA's that make six figures with liberal fringe benefits - travel, expense accounts, etc. Good luck and remember this is my experience as an Executive Recruiter in the Chicago-land area so your area may differ.
14 years as a headhunter.
Answered by jeff0264@sbcglobal.net

I had no schooling, just on the job training. It takes time and knowledge to 'preempt' and know what your boss will need before he needs it. It's wearing different 'hats' and having changing priorities all the time. You sometimes bicker like an old married couple, but (hopefully) you end up having a good working relationship. Sometimes it's a little like babysitting, but I love being an Executive Admin!
Answered by Jen-Jen

it takes A LOT of experience and based on the experience you have, you can make A LOT of money. i have seen these positions require 15 years experience with $175,000 salary. basically, you can start out as an administrative assistant (what we used to call secretaries) and from there, you can work your way up. there is no degree required. they just like lots of experience because executives are busy people and they need someone they don't have to train.
Answered by estmirabilis