No degree? No problem

The PA profession is providing a new source of hope for job seekers and school leavers across the pond. A recent report from American job portal Career Cast has rated the role of PA as one of the most well-paid jobs available in the US even if you don’t have a degree.

According to the survey, the vocation of administrative or executive assistant, with an average wage of $34,660 (£22,500), made it into the list of 14 top professions that 18-year-old American high school leavers could attain without higher education. The study, entitled Best Jobs Without a College Degree, used a variety of criteria to assess the quality of the careers, including salary, how physically demanding the positions are and emotional factors such as competitiveness, potential hazards and stress. Those with the lowest score received the highest ranking.

The jobs listed are skilled roles, some of which require additional training, including paralegal assistant, electrician and glazier. The highest-paying role of web developer offers an average salary of $77,000 (£50,000) a year.

With US unemployment levels at the beginning of the year standing at 11 per cent for those who hadn’t gone on to higher education, maybe more school leavers should take the savvy step of becoming a personal assistant.