Kelly Byrnes

After almost a decade of being a high school history teacher, I have decided to transition into another career. Being an executive assistant always seemed like a great transition because I am able to use many of the skills I have acquired over the course of my teaching career into this new venture. I have explained some of those skills below.

1. Organizational Skills: Teachers are experts in managing their own time and resources, as well as coordinating the schedules and activities of students. This translates directly to the executive assistant role, where organization is paramount for managing schedules, travel, and various projects.

2. Time Management: Teachers are masters of time management, prioritizing tasks, meeting deadlines, and juggling multiple responsibilities. This skill is essential for an executive assistant who needs to keep the executive's schedule on track and ensure efficient workflow.

3. Communication Skills: Teachers are skilled communicators, adept at conveying information clearly and effectively to diverse audiences. This includes active listening, public speaking, and written communication, all of which are vital for an executive assistant who acts as a liaison between the executive and others.

4. Problem-Solving Skills: Teachers are constantly faced with challenges and must be able to think critically and creatively to find solutions. This ability to identify problems, analyze situations, and implement solutions is highly valuable in an executive assistant role, especially when dealing with unexpected issues or conflicts.

5. Adaptability: Teachers must be flexible and adaptable, able to adjust their teaching methods and approaches based on student needs and classroom dynamics. This adaptability is crucial for an executive assistant who must be able to adjust to changing priorities and work with different personalities and work styles.

6. Relationship Building: Teachers build strong relationships with students, parents, and colleagues. This ability to build rapport and connect with others is essential for an executive assistant who interacts with a variety of stakeholders, including executives, clients, and other staff members.

7. Emotional Intelligence: Teachers often need to manage their own emotions and the emotions of others in the classroom. This emotional intelligence is valuable for an executive assistant who needs to understand and respond to the needs of the executive and others in the workplace.

8. Tech Savvy: While not always emphasized in traditional teaching, teachers are increasingly using technology in the classroom. This means teachers are developing skills in using various software and platforms, which can be directly applied to the executive assistant role, which often requires proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite and other software.