About Personal Assistants

Personal assistants are the glue that holds successful people's lives together. Without them, disorganization and chaos often ensues. While personal assistants' responsibilities can vary as much as the personalities of the power players they work for, they all have one thing in common--they must keep the ship sailing smoothly at all times.

The Facts

The personal assistant job can be diverse and challenging, and it remains the first and foremost method of breaking into a competitive career field. Essentially, a personal assistant performs daily tasks and errands for a successful and influential businessperson. The contacts and professional relationships acquired from working as a personal assistant are an invaluable asset, which is why so many up and coming young professionals are so eager to obtain these positions.

Misconceptions

It is impossible to objectively define the role of a personal assistant since the PA's responsibilities are shaped by the individual he/she is working for. Often times, personal assistants are equated with slaves, and their roles are diminished to that of a glorified servant. The truth is tasks vary widely and run the gamut from reading emails to attending important business meetings to picking up dry cleaning. There is no one definition for the role of a personal assistant.

Benefits

The benefits of being a personal assistant can be endless. Young professionals with limited industry experience can get their foot in the door, learn the ropes, and build lasting professional relationships with influential power players. The oft-heard adage "It's all about who you know" is one to live by, and being a personal assistant means having a leg up on those who lack those vital business connections.

Type

There are many types of personal assistants. Most famously, personal assistants work for celebrities like actors, models, writers, producers and directors. There are also assistants for businessmen and businesswomen, as well doctors, lawyers and politicians. Farther from the mainstream are personal assistants for the injured and disabled, and working parents in need of help running their households. Despite their vast differences, the one thing all personal assistants have in common is that they are hired to make their employers' lives easier.

Significance

It's important to understand the diverse and ever-evolving role of a personal assistant since they are the unseen heroes in the lives' of the world's movers and shakers. Personal assistants keep things organized and running smoothly, and they are also the future leaders of their fields. After all, Steven Spielberg started out as an unpaid assistant at Universal Studios and has since become one of the most legendary directors in American cinema.

Resources

• Personal Assistant Pro