The role of “executive assistant” (EA) is often misunderstood. Films such as The Devil Wears Prada and Nine to Five, along with television shows like Mad Men and The Office, contribute to obsolete notions about what assistants do. While a college degree is not necessary to be a stellar assistant, solid experience, high emotional intelligence, advanced technology skills, and a killer network are. In today’s global world, EAs who work for C-suite executives are referred to as the right arms to leaders, the backbone to companies, and the face of the company culture. They are the eyes, and ears, and the glue of the organization. As such, they are highly skilled, and sitting in a very important seat that is deserving of respect, acknowledgement, ongoing training, and fair compensation packages.

• The pros of being an EA: You don’t need a college degree; you get a seat at the leadership table; you get to develop leadership skill (and sometimes travel); the salaries are high; you have a personal connection to your executive.
• The cons of being an EA: You may not have a life outside of work; workplace bullying can be a problem; your responsibilities may go beyond the job description.
• How do you break into the job? For many, working as a receptionist or an administrative assistant is a reasonable entry point into this career path. In many companies, it is seen as the easiest route. Given the volatility of the workplace, advancement is available as an assistant proves themself.
• The future is bright for ambitious EAs: Despite the workplace being an ever-changing stew of remote, virtual, hybrid, and in-person EAs, the need for all of them is strong. Why? Leaders are facing an unprecedented set of challenges as they work to run their companies and EAs are supporting them to bring order to the chaos.