subject: The Changing Role of the Modern PA [print this page] The corporate environment is more dynamic than it has ever been, and therefore the modern PA needs to transcend the core skills of their role, to meet the particular challenges of the modern context; therefore, whilst traditional skills, such as secretarial skills and note taking, are still fundamental for a personal assistant, the modern PA needs also needs an aptitude in more modern techniques, such as computer skills, writing for online media etc.
Often, the core skills of what it means to be a PA will still be adaptable to the modern context; an example of this is in regards to writing skills. Whilst good writing skills have always been important for an effective PA, nowadays a PA must be able to write effectively across a range of media. For example, a modern PA may have to write content for a website, which will require a certain mode of writing, that may be different to more traditional kinds of media. With this in mind, a pa training course should cover traditional writing skill as well as writing for an online context.
The most significant sea-change in regards to the modern PA is to do with technology, and whilst in many regards the life of a PA has been made easier with the advent of technology, through the use of Iphones or Blackberries etc, the advent of technology can also present a challenge to modern Pas. With this in mind, a PA training course needs to teach potential PAs the "language of technology," which should cover things like proficiency with Microsoft Office.
In the rush to kit PAs out with the skills required to meet the particular challenges of the future, the rudiments of what it means to be a PA shouldn't be overlooked, and a PA training course should include, for example, a minute taking course that covers traditional and modern methods of note taking.
