Office Assistants 

High tech has arrived, bringing with it major changes in work habits, organization, and career opportunities in an office atmosphere.  According to the US Department of Labor, there is an unprecedented demand for highly skilled workers in nearly every business and industry in the country. 

In order to fill these highly skilled jobs, today's workers must understand complex systems required to deal with information processing and paper flow.  Office employees need to be flexible enough to adapt to ever-changing developments in technology. 

What do they do?

Because of the increase in technology, office personnel will find themselves at the computer terminal more than at any other place in the office.  Secretaries and assistants may be asked to use computer skills to run spreadsheet, word processing, database management, desktop publishing, and graphics programs.  Training may also be required on high-tech office equipment such as: facsimile machine, high-speed and laser copiers, digitized recorders, and telecommunications systems. 

Despite technology, machines cannot make decisions, resolve problems, plan ,manage, or use personal qualities to communicate.  People who work with office information continue to be the common denominator in the successful office.  An office worker will still find time for duties such as appointment scheduling, file organization, dictation, client contact, and travel arrangements, all requiring personal skills. 

Where do they work?

Administrative assistants, secretaries, information processors, desktop publishers, and/or multimedia presentation performers are found in the service industries, manufacturing, construction, wholesale and retail trade, transportation, communications, and government.