Top meaningful jobs for administrative assistants who want a fresh start

It happens to the best of us—in all fields and industries—and administrative assistants aren’t immune. You spend a significant amount of time in a certain job or position, and while once it provided an acceptable level of professional satisfaction and fulfillment, after a while it no longer does the job and you begin to feel as if you’re ready to move on and make a change. It’s called career fatigue, and for those of us who place a real value on what we choose to do for a living, it shouldn’t be ignored. The negative effects of career fatigue may be more serious than you think—according to a recent article by Forbes, the effects of keeping a job you don’t want can include significant physical and mental health consequences that include added stress, weight gain, increased susceptibility to illness, sleeplessness, and more. So yes, keeping a job you no longer want just might be a bad idea. And if you’re an administrative assistant who’s looking to move on and try something new, here’s some good news—you’ve likely built up a wealth of transferable skills—skills that you developed on the job that can serve you well in whatever field you choose to pursue next. Just make sure your resume and cover letter highlight the key skills in your arsenal that you can leverage for new positions during your job hunt, and you’ll help to put yourself a step ahead of the competition. If you’re an administrative assistant who’s looking to explore other careers, consider one of the following options.

Court Reporter

An administrative background can really set you up for a successful transition to becoming a court reporter, which can be a fulfilling and lucrative option. Court reporters are essential components of legal proceedings and are tasked with creating word-for-word transcripts for a wide range of events, from depositions to trials and more. Reporters are becoming increasingly more involved in captioning projects for television and for hearing impaired individuals as well. The good news is that according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, jobs for court reporters are available in every state at all court levels, and the field is expected to grow approximately 3% over the next decade. Also, certificate programs and on-the-job training is readily available, so you can get started relatively easily.

Paralegal

If you have an interested in pursuing a job in the legal world that will allow you to make the most of your existing skill set as a seasoned admin, becoming a paralegal might be a good choice for you. Paralegals are often indispensable components of law offices and legal teams, providing a wealth of support and valuable work to the lawyers who employ them—everything from legal research to drafting documents and maintaining client files and more. Things rarely get boring or slow down for paralegals, so if you’re looking for a new career challenge you may have just landed on the perfect one for you. Furthermore, flexible work opportunities for paralegals are growing—many professionals in the field are able to find full-time, part-time, and contract opportunities, as well as take advantage of work-from-home and in-office options. Since there are lawyers and law offices everywhere, there’s certainly no absence of opportunities for those looking for employment in the field. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, employment opportunities for paralegals are expected to grow by 15% over the next decade.

Project Managers

What administrative assistant worth their paycheck doesn’t already possess many of the key skills required to be an effective project manager? Project managers are employed in nearly every field imaginable and are tasked with minding all of the key details of company projects—from minor to massive initiatives—and ensuring that all project stakeholders are aware of their responsibilities and deliverables and stay on task and on schedule. Does this sound somewhat similar to what you did as an admin? If so, then the transition to project manager just might be smoother than you think. Although project manager positions are often highly specialized and require some level of industry knowledge, since project managers are in demand and employed in nearly every industry, opportunities are abundant and you’ll have a wide array of options to choose from based on your background and skill set. It’s also a field with plenty of flexible work schedule options, so it may be easier to fit around your existing schedule than a traditional 9 to 5 job. If you're an admin looking for a career change, you definitely have the skills to branch out into many fields. Use the information provided here to help you figure out your next big career move.