Exploring a career as a virtual assistant

I'm interested in learning more about becoming a virtual assistant after high school. What do they typically do, and what skills are essential for someone starting out in this field? Wondering if it's a viable option for me.

A Virtual Assistant (VA) is someone who provides administrative, technical, or creative assistance to clients remotely. The tasks primarily depend on the client and the VA's expertise, but they may include managing calendars, scheduling appointments, responding to emails, maintaining databases, invoicing, conducting research, creating presentations, managing social media accounts, and editorial services.

The critical skills for a VA encompass a range of administrative and technical abilities. Here are some revered skills:

1. Strong organizational skills and time management: Virtual assistants handle a wide variety of tasks, often for multiple clients simultaneously, making these skills essential.

2. Communication skills: VAs often serve as a point of contact, communicate with clients daily, and need to draft clear, professional emails. They also need to communicate well on phone calls or video conferences, where context and tone can sometimes get lost.

3. Basic tech skills: While advanced tech skills are a plus, it is important at least to know how to use programs like MS Office Suite (Word, Excel, PowerPoint), Google Workplace (Google Docs, Sheets), and communication tools like Slack, Zoom, or Teams.

4. Ability to work independently: As a VA, you're usually left to complete tasks on your own, so being a self-starter is crucial. Being able to problem-solve on your own is equally helpful.

Becoming a VA could be a viable option if you're organized, can manage your time effectively, and are comfortable with technology. It offers a flexible schedule and the ability to work from home, or anywhere with a proper internet connection.

It's essential to consider your comfort level with these aspects before plunging into this profession. A good next step would be to seek out established VAs or virtual assistant companies to learn more about the industry and potential training opportunities to boost the required skills set. Remember, chat forums, social media groups of VAs, or internships can also be a great way to gain insights and exposure.