Applying for an Executive Assistant role when I have a MSc?

[Headmassage]

Good afternoon,

I’m thinking of applying for a role I’ve seen in my company as an EA.

However, I mentioned this in passing to someone and they were absolutely shocked. Said that it’s a subservient role and as I’m not a subservient person I’m making a mistake. They also said that once the hiring manager sees I have a MSc I won’t be given a chance as most people who are in this role do not have a MSc, basically saying the role is beneath me and it’s silly of me to apply.

This has raised doubts. The role pays higher than the role I’m in now, and tbh I’m ready to leave my current role which is affecting my mental health. Is it so weird /strange for me to apply?

Are there others with similar credentials in this role?

I hope this post causes no offence, I’ve not done a role like this before and I found this person’s reaction quite strange.

I appreciate your input.

Maybe they are applying themselves and didn't want the competition! If it's something you are interested in and more money then you may as well apply.

My EA friend earns £110k a year and is 31. I don’t see how it is subservient.

Yup same, EAs to top management are all on 6 figures in my company and several have advanced degrees. It's not really a typing pool/tea lady position.

I know of EA’s earning 100k.
It can be a demanding job, but maybe this person doesn’t understand that and thinks it’s something easy that anyone can do.

The best EAs I know (to senior people in the City) are some of the most intelligent and capable people I can imagine. And they earn a tonne.

These are all women, the men doing the same role seem to be called business managers 🤔. If anyone doesn’t like the title they could get the job first then argue for a switch.

An executive assistant provides administrative support. The main tasks of an executive assistant are making travel arrangementss_, handling calendar events, organizing reports and documents, answering phone calls, setting up meetings, screening visitors.

Is it because she thinks it's a secretarial role?

That’s not what EAs do in my organisation - that would be a PA

But perhaps that’s where the confusion lies? An EA in my industry would do more things like making sure their senior is adequately briefed, prioritise issues for review, make judgement calls on when / what the senior actually needs to know etc. Definitely not any kind of junior / subservient role!

I have an Executive Assistant.

It is a very senior role in our organisation. She is a member of the Executive. Attends all Board meetings. Is privy to incredibly sensitive information. Is well paid. Is incredibly respected.

And has a degree.

Does your friend think its some kind of old fashioned secretary role?

Person is a fool who doesn't understand what an EA is. I work with plenty of people with PHDs who are in comparatively low paid quite junior roles for years. I wouldn't turn my nose up at being an EA at all!

If you’ve not done an EA-type role before then it will largely be that which will affect the hiring manager’s view of your suitability, rather than your degree. Who is it an EA to? C-suite will generally want an experienced EA rather than somebody who’s trying the role out for size, but either way they certainly won’t think you’re overqualified just because you have an MSc.

My EA also does a lot more than what Oblomov above listed in their post, that’s more of a PA or admin assistant role: mine drafts briefing notes, writes summaries for Board papers, manages workflows, liaises with CoSec on corporate records and policies - quite a bit beyond general admin. She’s just as clever and educated as I am (probably cleverer!) just with a different skill set.

Don’t confuse an EA with a PA. Most EAs probably have a PA too…
i would expect an EA to be highly educated, with experience in the field they are supporting in. In my organisation the EA will do a lot of screening (as to what individual needs to focus on), writing papers etc.

Please disregard them, its not like that at all.

EAs are senior members of staff. They are the eyes and ears for their Exec, they guide them, advise them.

I think your friend is perhaps thinking of the old-fashioned role of secretary or even junior levels for PA where you are given tasks to complete, but an EA is very much expected to be proactive in running both business and personal aspects of an exec life. If anything, I have often found the power goes the other way - CEOs of global companies asking me if they can take a bathroom break!

You can also make a bloody decent salary depending on the industry you go into, and unlike many roles, there is less agism with hiring - you will not struggle to find work as you get older.

I'm an EA and in my company there's a lot admin but there is the scope for the role to expand and to be part of the SLT and contribute on their level. A technical background is an asset. It is what you make it.

I've met many EAs in other organisations who have a very senior role and are paid accordingly though and are incredibly switched on.

I think whoever it is you're talking to is old school and thinking of a PA, a role which is equally not to be sneered at. It can be a role which requires more diplomacy than the House of Commons!

Clearly the EA role covers a broad spectrum. EA

My DHs EA has a masters. She does way more than take notes and book travel and is very much an important part of the management team. Def not subservient at all.

I’m an EA in a small charity so my role covers a lot of secretarial stuff but also a lot of higher level items - basically anything that the CEO can delegate, I do! I have an MA. Not earning 6 figures though!

Are you already working at a PA level and looking to take a step-up?

As others have said an EA is a big experienced role, is your friend thinking it's an entry level admin/secretary type role? Also if you have no experience and are thinking about applying, maybe that's why she's thinking it's junior.

EA's in my organisation are hugely specialised roles and in the £60-£100k mark depending on who you're EA-ing for.

Lots of EA jobs in London require a degree (unless you have EA experience)

only issue is they do tend to be dead in particularly in my industry - Executive Search