PAs are pivotal says former Clinton adviser

PAs are an asset to their company and their bosses should definitely know it, asserts former White House Director of Events, Laura Schwarz (pictured).

Given that nearly three quarters of respondents (72%) to last year’s annual National PA Survey said that they felt being a PA was undervalued as a professional career choice, Schwartz, who worked for the Clinton administration throughout its eight-year term, is keen to address (and redress) this perceived lack of recognition.

“I believe that PAs are pivotal, because without PAs a company would not be able to orchestrate a message, or conduct its business,” says the former Special Assistant to the President. “Good PAs benefit not just the boss, but the bottom line of the business.”

She is a firm advocate of the powerful position PAs hold and the tangible impact that they can have on all aspects of any business, helping not just their boss and fellow employees “but the consumers of their [company’s] product or services as well.

“If you do work for a boss that doesn’t recognise the power of a PA, then you might have to take a moment to outline to them everything that you actually do. I think a great leader of a company, or a country, knows the value of their staff no matter their salary or title.” 

Schwartz’s illustrious career was kick-started at the age of just 19 when she became the youngest female Presidential Appointee in history and rose through the ranks as a Staff Assistant, Midwest Press Secretary, Director Of Television and ultimately White House Director of Events.

She will be appearing in a live Q&A at the Office show hosted by international trainer Sue France, offering a rare opportunity for a UK audience to hear a perspective on the PA profession from someone who has worked with and among some of the world’s most powerful people. She will also be hosting a book signing of Eat, Drink & Succeed: Climb your way to the top using the networking power of social events on the EUMA stand directly afterwards.