Ray Weikal's blog

"Secretary and administrative assistant" continues to be the most common job for women in the U.S., according to the most recent census figures from the federal Census Bureau. This has been the case for more than 60 years. The trend has sparked a flurry of interest in the news media about the relationship between women and the types of administrative professional careers.

The holiday season can be a mixed blessing for many office professionals. Aside from the normal stress incurred while juggling family and business demands, there are the office parties. These annual gatherings have taken on almost mythic proportions. They’re seen as events where careers can climb or crumble. No wonder so many people get uptight when the party invitations arrive.

I’ve surveyed some of what etiquette experts have to say about office parties during the holidays. Here’s a sample of their advice and links for more tips:

Technology and the economy have turned modern offices into a circus of demands. The professionals who staff these offices are expected to juggle a wide range of tasks for co-workers, clients, managers, executives and contractors. Fortunately, the very technology that stokes this stress can also bring some order.

Two interesting trends have started to emerge among administrative professionals. The first is an increase in the number of admins who are now working on a freelance basis, either by choice or due to the economy.