www.iaap-hq.org
International Association of Administrative Professionals
World Headquarters, Kansas City, Missouri
E-mail: prcommunications@iaap-hq.org
Phone: 816.891.6600 ext. 2239

NEWS RELEASE
Administrative Professionals Weekâ –  April 23-29, 2006
Administrative Professionals Dayâ –  Wednesday, April 26, 2006 

Administrative Career Offers Bright Future 

Now is a good time to become an administrative assistant, executive secretary, administrative coordinator, office manager or other type of administrative professional. Technology and corporate restructuring have created jobs that are more rewarding and more skilled than ever before.  

Salaries rising. Average starting salaries in the United States for mid-to upper-level administrative staff range from $35,000 to $45,000 and up, according to the latest staffing industry surveys, such as the OfficeTeam 2006 Salary Guide.  A 2005 survey of members of the International Association of Administrative Professionals (IAAP) showed that 45% of IAAP members earn more than $40,000 per year in base salary, compared to 33% in 2002 and 8% in 1997. As administrative roles become more complex, specialization and certification can further boost starting salaries.  According to OfficeTeam research, employers are willing to pay up to 10 percent higher compensation for designations such as a Microsoft Office Specialist (MOS), Certified Administrative Professional (CAP) and Certified Professional Secretary (CPS) ratings.  Applicants who are bilingual can also command higher starting compensation.

Career Paths. Companies are creating a multitude of career paths for persons in administrative professions. Administrative assistants have moved into training, supervision, desktop publishing, information management and research. They are involved with equipment purchase and maintenance, customer service, project management and coordination of outside vendors.

Changing Roles. The number-one skill sought by employers when hiring administrative professionals is computer expertise. Administrative assistants should master word processing, spreadsheet, database, graphics and desktop publishing software. With more managers keying their own correspondence and more files being stored electronically, the nature of secretarial work is changing drastically. Managers are doing more clerical work; administrative assistants and secretaries are doing more professional work. 

Job Satisfaction. Most administrative professionals want to remain in their field and advance into higher support positions or become office managers. They say they are finally receiving recognition for what they do. They are becoming members of the management team.  

The Future of the Profession. With businesses operating in a global economy, administrative professionals will have increasing opportunities to interact via e-mail, audio- and web-conferencing, and even face-to-face with customers and associates from around the world. The winners will be those professionals who master technology, effectively use their interpersonal and communication skills, who have the ability to track and organize and be creative in solving problems, and most importantly, who have the willingness to learn and grow, and accept challenges. For these administrative professionals, there is a world of opportunity waiting for them.

 IAAP, www.iaap-hq.org, is the world’s leading association for administrative professionals, with more than 40,000 members and affiliates worldwide. 

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For more information on Administrative Professionals Week, visit: http://www.iaap-hq.org/APW/apwindex.htm or contact:

Communications Manager
 International Association of Administrative Professionals (IAAP)
10502 N.W. Ambassador Drive, PO Box 20404
Kansas City, Missouri 64195-0404
Phone (816) 891-6600 extension 2239
Fax: (816) 891-9118
E-mail: prcommunications@iaap-hq.org
IAAP Web site: www.iaap-hq.org