Entry-Level Administrative Positions
If you have a degree, in fact, sometimes even if you don't have a degree, an entry-level administrative job is definitely attainable. I've said it a thousand times and I'm going to say it again: entry-level administrative positions are a great way to get your foot in the door and a great way to get more experience...and now they're paying better than ever. According to the International Association of Administrative Professionals the average salary of an administrative assistant has gone up 9.5% since 2005 and the average salary of an entry-level administrative assistant has gone up 7.1%, making the average salary between $21,500-$27,750.
An entry-level administrative assistant performs an array of duties including internet research, word processing, filing, and fielding phone calls, giving the opportunity to show versatility. The only direction to go with an entry-level administrative job is up. Once you've got your foot in the door with a company you can move up to accounting, sales, marketing, and even management someday.
http://www.iaap-hq.org/researchtrends/Salaries_2006.htm
http://www.iaap-hq.org/researchtrends/JobDescriptions.htm
Try as I might to resist, I'm compelled to respond to this post. One of the reasons Steven asked me to step into this role is because I tend to tell it like it is and not give pie in the sky information.
That being said, an administrative assistant position is very honorable work. But using that as a leverage for getting into and among the upper echelons of the company is not a wise strategy. Most often, when you enter as a typist, a secretary, a receptionist, you remain in that caste with very little movement. Additionally, it's hard to shake the "stigma" that goes along with the caste.
If you're capable of doing more and not trying to work with a temp agency, go for something in your area of concentration or related to it. The more you situate yourself in that way, the more lateral training and experience you'll gain and thus put yourself in the way of advancement.
Please see what I have to say about certain types of roles and things to watch for in relation to corporate branding and communication at
http://blog.tmp.com/davidkippen/archives/2006/08/blogswap_what_y.html