Yesterday I had the privilege of sitting alongside Jeremy Burrows, April Stallworth, and Tony Crawford (Elijah C.)on the State of the Profession panel at Administrative Professionals Conference 2025. The conversation, and the data behind it, painted a very clear picture of both the progress we’ve made and the challenges that remain.
1. AI adoption is transforming the landscape
Just twelve months ago, only a quarter of assistants said they were using AI in their daily work. This year’s State of the Profession report showed that number had jumped to just over 50%. Then, when we asked the audience live, 81% raised their hands.
That is an extraordinary acceleration. And it tells us something critical. Assistants are no longer waiting to be invited into the AI conversation. They are testing, learning, and moving fast. As I said yesterday, this isn’t about the technology itself, it’s about impact. AI may well be the catalyst that finally moves the profession from being perceived as “help” to being recognised as a strategic function.
2. Career advancement comes from responsibility, not title
The data shows a consistent pattern. Compensation rises with strategic responsibility, regardless of whether the job title has caught up. Too many assistants are still working at senior levels while carrying an outdated title that fails to reflect their scope. Titles will change eventually, but what drives careers forward is taking on work that shapes outcomes, not just processes.
April spoke powerfully about the human skills that paved her way to Chief of Staff – emotional intelligence, communication, and resilience. These are the skills that will remain indispensable, even as AI takes on more of the transactional load.
3. Professional development is the lever for influence and pay
Tony reminded us how career growth often comes down to taking ownership of your own development. The data backs that up. Those who received raises in the past year were also more likely to have completed training. Certification is also climbing – nearly 60% of assistants now hold one, and at senior levels it’s 72%.
Jeremy made the point that we must learn to articulate the ROI of our development to our executives, showing not just what training costs, but what it delivers back into the business.
The bigger picture
When you put these insights together, a clear roadmap emerges. The assistants who will thrive are those who:
• Harness AI with intent, using it to step out of transactional work and into strategy.
• Take on responsibilities that add value and move the business forward.
• Invest in their own growth and make the case for their value with confidence.
The profession is moving. Fast. The question is no longer whether assistants can become strategic partners. The question is: will you step forward and claim it?
