Message #47391

[countrigal]

I see more and more of us in more traditional management-style roles due to a reduction in true PA jobs.  I think that as our managers become increasingly more computer and electronic-savy, a lot of the duties performed by PA's will be done by the manager him/herself.  In certain career fields, I can also see more and more virtual jobs and offices, also adding to the lower number of true PA jobs.  But there will always be those fields that will require an actual office space, and real people in them.  Unfortunately, I see more of those "real people" being the receptionist and a few managers, and less PA's.  I think the true change though, is going to be in management.  Those managers who couldn't put 2 words together in a coherent sentence, couldn't turn on a PC, much less open a document on it, and who have no people skills, will be replaced by those people with the skills that are the standard for PA's.  Thus my statement that more PA's will be in management-style positions.  Companies are trying to save money any where they can, and if that means paying one person instead of 2, then we all know what they will choose.  If a manager is able to do his/her own memos, has voicemail and returns calls, can work e-mail, and is able to multi-task, then why do they need a PA?  Those PA's that remain will find themselves working for an increasing number of managers.  They'll be a shared resource, available for assistance in setting up meetings, setting up seminar/meeting places, assisting on larger projects, etc but will be used less on an individual "can you type this for me" basis.  I think that the days of being "X's PA" are numbered.  We'll soon find ourselves being the one of the company's PA's, or the PA for 'Group Y'.  Kind of sounding like we'll be going back to the typing-pool time, except it won't be typing.  Hmmm... really starts ya thinking, huh?

CountriGal
Peer Moderator