Administrative Assistants

Formal Description

“Professions in advertising, marketing, and public relations focus on analyzing, developing, and promoting communication strategies and information programs. Professionals in these fields assess advertising needs, create effective marketing plans, publicize activities and events, and manage media relations for businesses, governments, organizations, and individuals such as performers and athletes. They are employed by marketing and consulting firms, advertising agencies, corporations, associations, government offices, social agencies, museums, galleries, public interest groups, and cultural organizations, or they may be self-employed. Agents such as entertainment, literary and sports agents are included in this unit group” (NOC 2021).

Sample Job Titles

This category includes a variety of job titles that may not necessarily be reflected by the category title. For a full index of job titles, see the category entry on the ESDC site. Example job titles include:

Executive Secretary

Finance Secretary

Human Resources Administrator

Sales Secretary

Typical Employment and Education Requirements

The requirements listed for each occupational category will tend to vary across particular roles, job titles, and contexts.

The following typical requirements are listed on the ESDC’s 2021 entry for this occupational category:

“A university degree or college diploma in business marketing, public relations, communications, journalism, museology or a discipline related to a particular subject matter is usually required.”
“Practitioners in public relations may require an APR (Accredited in Public Relations)”

Success with a Social Sciences Undergraduate Degree and Beyond

When reviewing typical requirements, please remember:

Degree and diploma listings often end with a purposefully open-ended phrase (“or a related field”, “or a similar discipline”) that acknowledges the variety and applicability of social sciences and liberal arts degrees.
Employers often focus less on the name or title of a candidate’s degree, and more on how they articulate their transferable skills and experiences.
Many qualifications and certifications are available as post-graduate certificates aimed at recent university graduates; these can make an excellent further education option for a social sciences or liberal arts degree.

Explore related or other relevant avenues for further education.

Learn More

Related Categories

Here are a few other categories that might interest you:

Administrative Officers

Paralegals and Legal Occupations

Human Resources Professionals

Related Sectors

Whereas Economic and Social Development Canada’s ‘occupational’ categories tend to focus more on the duties and functions that people play in specific roles, exploring careers by ‘sectors’ helps us to sort by employer type, industry, or general field of work. Here are just a few of the sectors that may be relevant to this category:

Careers in Organizations

Careers in Cultural Resources Management

Careers In Municipalities

Browse More Options by Sector

Academic Program Connections

As you select your program of study and the courses you will take, you can chart a path towards success in this sector from any one of our social sciences departments and programs. Here are just a few examples of academic disciplines that have connections with this sector:

Indigenous Studies Learn More

Indigenous Studies emphasizes cultural competency, policy understanding, and community engagement. Graduates gain skills in navigating government regulations, supporting Indigenous initiatives, and fostering inclusive workplaces, making them well-suited for administrative roles in government agencies, non-profits, and organizations serving Indigenous communities.

Society, Culture & Religion Learn More

Society, Culture & Religion enhances the understanding of diverse perspectives, critical thinking, and organizational skills. This program prepares students to manage communications, coordinate events, and support institutional operations in education, cultural institutions, and social service organizations.

Work & Labour Studies Learn More

Work & Labour Studies focuses on employment law, workplace policies, and human resources. Students develop expertise in labour relations, organizational structures, and workforce management, which are essential for administrative roles in business, unions, and HR departments.

Political Science Learn More

Political Science sharpens analytical thinking, research abilities, and communication skills. Graduates are equipped to handle policy analysis, document preparation, and organizational coordination, making them ideal candidates for administrative positions in government, corporate offices, and advocacy organizations.

Browse More Options by Program