Monday 30 March 2009

15 Minutes of Fame

On a weekly basis I am contacted by people who want to know how to become a Celebrity PA. The enquiry is made via email so it’s impossible to know the background of the person enquiring.

APA replies with the statement that we make no distinction between a PA to a business leader, and a PA to a well known personality.

Are we correct in this statement, is the work done as a PA the same regardless of who that person is whether well known or unknown?

Let me know your thoughts, Shelley

4 comments:

Gareth Osborne, APA said...

APA membership is becoming increasingly diverse; we now have PAs who work for great business leaders, world-beating sports stars and one or two celebs (if they are not already in the earlier categories) in membership. Our spead is becoming ever global with our first member enquiry yesterday from China.

I still believe we should apply no distiction to the sector, specialisation or fame of a PAs employer but should all learn from each others experience and work to ensure that the role of a PA is recognised as an essential management function in any environment.

TC said...

I am not a 'Celebrity' PA although my employer is quite often quoted in the national press and meets with government leaders on a regular basis. I think that the key management, organisational and other skills are the same in every PA role.

Sasha Holmes said...

I think there must be a difference, if only from the amount of press and media attention that celebs court and receive.

Sorry anonymous but APA Member said...

For 15 years I have been PA to a well known sportsperson and since her retirement, a celebrity. If managing someone's life, diary, priorities and travel are the key components of a PAs job, then mine is just the same. Maybe I get invited to some glamorous events and travel with my boss but I know many PAs who do the same.