INTERNET REDEFINING ROLES OF ADMINISTRATIVE ASSISTANTS

The Internet's prevalence in the workplace is reshaping the job descriptions of today's administrative support professionals, according to a new survey of the nation's top executives. The vast majority (92%) of respondents said it is important for assistants to be proficient at navigating the Internet.

According to OfficeTeam, a staffing service specializing in administrative professionals, and the survey's sponsor, Internet proficiency requires more than just sending e-mail or being familiar with a few web sites or search engines. OfficeTeam reports that many administrative assistants are being relied upon increasingly as the key source for online searches that yield industry news of value to their departments.

The survey was conducted by an independent research firm and includes responses from 150 executives with the nation's 1,000 largest companies. *