In today’s professional landscape, career advancement is driven by proven skills, rather than tenure or outdated job titles. To evolve from an assisting role to a strategic business partner or leader, administrative professionals (APs) must prioritize business-critical skills to take charge of their career trajectory.
Highlighted in the American Society of Administrative Professionals’ (ASAP) sixth annual State of the Profession Report, there are four clear career stages to help mark the career progression for individuals in administrative roles. Categorized by years of experience, skillsets, and responsibilities, the stages in the ASAP Career Stages Framework include Assisting (typically less than five years’ experience), Supporting (typically over five years’ experience), Partnering (normally over five years’ experience), and Leading (typically over 10 years’ experience).
Research from the 2025 State of the Profession Report reveals that roles and responsibilities shift significantly across career stages, highlighting a clear evolution in the administrative profession. Upskilling and continuous learning are key drivers in this progression, enabling APs to advance toward more strategic business partnership roles.
How Roles Shift with Career Stage
APs experience a distinct progression in their roles across four core areas—Organizational Communication, Executive Support & Operations, Task & Project Management, and Processes & Procedures—with each stage of their career bringing notable shifts in responsibilities and scope.
As APs progress in their careers, their roles become increasingly complex and strategic, particularly in areas such as communication, executive support, and operations. While 80 percent of APs cite internal communication as a core responsibility, those in the Assisting stage focus on foundational tasks, such as managing mail and fielding inquiries. In contrast, Partnering and Leading APs are more involved in executive-level communications, presenting initiatives, and designing critical reports, with over 80 percent of Leading APs trusted with such tasks.
This advancement also brings increased involvement in executive support and strategic operations. APs in managing roles often take on vendor oversight, project tracking, and KPI reporting, underscoring their leadership within the organization. While clerical duties remain across all stages, Leading APs will often shift toward higher-level responsibilities such as training, system development, and procurement recommendations—highlighting their growing influence and value in the workplace.
Navigating Skills at Every Career Stage
APs must possess strong communication, technology, efficiency, and leadership skills to perform their roles effectively. Though strong communication skills are essential for all APs, strategic negotiation has become a growing proficiency among Leading APs. Public speaking is also emerging as a key area of interest across all career stages, signaling a growing desire among APs to strengthen their presence and influence in more visible, impactful roles.
Additionally, the importance of technical proficiency has increased in response to the evolving technologies in the workplace. Skills such as using Artificial Intelligence (AI) tools, data visualization, and workflow automation are frequently cited as areas of growth and development for APs.
Advancing Leadership and Operational Skills
Beyond technology, leadership and operational efficiency are at the forefront for APs, particularly in areas such as budgeting, project management, and people management.
For APs in the Supporting through Leading career stages, technology skills (especially AI tools) remain crucial, but leadership skills become increasingly important. These include executive-level systems thinking, project management, strategic planning, and presentation skills.
This increased focus on leadership skills from the Supporting stage onward is most apparent among APs working in government, nonprofit, and corporate organizations. For APs in education and academia, leadership skills become a significant focus only from the Partnering stage onward. For assisting APs, the emphasis tends to be on developing technology, efficiency, and communication skills.
Upskilling offers a clear and empowering roadmap for career advancement across every stage of the administrative profession. By continuously developing new competencies—from emerging technologies and strategic communication to project management and leadership—APs can not only adapt to the evolving demands of the workplace but also position themselves for greater responsibility and recognition. Embracing lifelong learning not only enhances individual performance but also drives broader organizational success, ensuring that APs remain indispensable partners in today’s dynamic business environment.
