Administrative professionals play a vital role in facilitating the flow of information and communication in
today's office. They also serve as key front-line public relations ambassadors for their managers and their organizations.

The field of more than four million administrative professionals in the United States and Canada includes executive assistants, secretaries, office managers and other administrative support staff.

As communication liaisons, administrative professionals maintain and support relationships with other managers, employees, customers, vendors and the public. From sending and replying to e-mail to producing reports and newsletters, they disseminate information that is vital to the office workflow. They coordinate schedules and plan and participate in meetings where information is honed and decisions are made. They often maintain financial records and databases, and prepare multi-media reports and presentations.

A 2003 study by Utah Valley State College in Orem, Utah and IAAP showed that administrative professionals' most frequently used work skills are:

• written and verbal interpersonal communications 99%
• critical thinking 98%, and
• decision-making 97%.

The workplace contributions of administrative professionals will be recognized during Administrative Professionals Week, April 18-24, 2004. Administrative Professionals Day is Wednesday, April 21.