Thinking about switching careers? With today’s challenging economy, and the renewed focus on job security as a result, assisting has become a popular second career choice. With an estimated need for nearly 340,000 assistants and secretaries in America by 2016, office professionals are not getting laid-off or fired like others struggling professions. The intense demand for assistants also gives students leverage regarding starting salary and location of employment. Assisting is an exciting and dynamic career, where you can utilize technical and organizational skills while letting your sociable personality shine.

While assisting is a desirable profession, many people still have concerns if a career change is right for them.

Some things to consider:

Am I too old to switch careers?
Regardless of your age, it is never too late to switch careers. If you have been in one industry for a substantial period of time, remember this, most employers and educators highly value experience and professionalism, something many younger applicants don’t have. Use this to your advantage.

What if I have already earned a degree in a field other than nursing?
That’s okay! You can transfer the knowledge, and possibly course credit, to pursuing a more applicable degree. Depending on which field you want to enter, you need to focus your degree towards that particular area. So if you want to become a legal or medical secretary, consider Legal Studies or Medical Office Management. If you want to become an administrative or executive Assistant, then an economics, office skills, office technologies or a business administration degree is the best choice.

Can I earn my degree while working full time?
Yes. Many schools offer part time programs. You can also set your own schedule by earning your degree online. Online degrees are valued just as highly as campus degrees in the industry.

Where can I get information on going back to school?
AdminSecret has partnered with a number of great colleges to help people just like you go back to school to earn their degree. Get free information by filling out the short form on the right.

Every year, thousands of people make the decision to switch to a career in nursing, not just because it is rewarding work with competitive salaries and room for promotion, but because the office support industry is one of the few industries not affected by an unstable economy. Take the first step towards becoming an administrative or executive assistant by filling out the short form on the right and get free information from a variety of educational programs.