Assistants: Who Takes the Job and Why?

What type of assistant are you?

I’ve been working as an Executive Assistant for a little over five years now, and in that time, I’ve made some interesting observations. Much like any job, the role comes with its own set of highs and lows (some days, I feel like a superhero, other days I wonder how and why my boss hasn’t fired me yet).

But one question I often find myself asking is: Why would anyone willingly take on a job where their existence often feels entirely tied to another person?

I understand that most jobs do involve working for people in some capacity — a barista serves coffee, a farmer grows food, a lawyer advocates for clients — but their responsibilities are almost always tied to a product or service.

Being an Assistant, however, is different. It means working solely for a person’s needs — managing their schedule, decisions, and sometimes even their personal life. Their failure often reflects your own, but their success doesn’t automatically mean yours (as evident in an assistant’s perceived status and stagnant salary).

It’s a role unlike any other, and after reflecting on this, I’ve come to realize there are three types of people who take on the job of an Assistant. Here’s the breakdown, along with some examples from media that fellow assistants might relate to:

1. The Ambitious Learners

These young, bright-eyed assistants are driven and see their role as a stepping stone to something bigger. Some aspire to step into their boss’s shoes one day — often seeking mentorship, connections, and a strong reference from said boss— while others are deeply inspired by their boss and want to play a part in making them successful. For them, the assistant role is not just a job but an opportunity to learn, grow, and contribute.

They are willing to go above and beyond, often acting as trusted partners or protégés. However, this same drive can make them the most prone to burnout.

Examples in media:

Emily Charlton (The Devil Wears Prada) — A dedicated and hardworking assistant, Emily idolizes Miranda Priestly and is fiercely committed to a fault, seeing her role as Miranda’s assistant as the dream job “a million girls would kill for”.

Donna Paulsen (Suits) — A quintessential right-hand woman, Donna fully believes in Harvey Specter and goes to extraordinary lengths to ensure his success.

Harper Moore and Charlie Young (Set It Up) — Both are ambitious individuals who work tirelessly to support their difficult, high-profile bosses, with Harper aiming to become a sports writer and Charlie striving for corporate success.

2. The Side-Hustlers

These individuals take on the role as a means to an end, using the income to support another career goal or passion. They might be aspiring artists, university students, or entrepreneurs working on their side hustle. For them, being an assistant is similar to other transitional jobs like waitressing, bartending, or tutoring — a way to pay the bills while pursuing their real dreams.

They’ll fulfill their responsibilities, but rarely go beyond what’s required, and often approach the job with a sense of detachment or frustration.

Examples in media:

Gina Linetti (Brooklyn 99) — While Gina is competent when she wants to be, her primary focus isn’t on excelling in her job as Captain Holt’s assistant. She doesn’t hesitate to prioritize her personal projects over her work responsibilities, eventually leaving the role to become a social media influencer.

Andy Sachs (The Devil Wears Prada) — Though initially uninterested in fashion and purely taking the job as a stepping stone to journalism, Andy begrudgingly grows into the role but returns to pursuing her goal for a broader career in writing.

Peggy Olson (Mad Men) — Starting as Don Draper’s secretary, Peggy eventually transitions into a successful career in advertising. While she could arguably fit into Type 1, the distinction is that she doesn’t initially take the job at Sterling Cooper because she wants to one day become an executive in the company. Instead, she realises this desire only after Don promotes her to junior copywriter.

3. The “I-Don’t-Need-to-Work” Crew

This group doesn’t rely on the job for financial stability. They might include stay-at-home parents looking to fill their time, wealthy kids taking a gap year, or retirees seeking a productive way to stay engaged. While their reasons for working vary, their commitment to the role can range from genuinely competent to completely indifferent. For them, the job is optional, and the effort they put in reflects that.

Examples in media:

Ben Whittaker (The Intern) — A retired businessman in his 70s, Ben takes on the role of an intern at a fast-paced e-commerce startup, not because he needs the job but because he’s seeking fulfilment and a new sense of purpose after retirement. He enjoys the routine and sense of contribution that the job provides and even becomes an unwitting mentor to his co-workers and his much younger boss, Jules.

Tag Jones (Friends) — Rachel Green’s good-looking assistant comes across as someone who wasn’t desperate for the role but rather stumbled into it, possibly because it seemed easy, fun, or just something to occupy his time. There wasn’t any indication of any side hustle or career ambition (and with a face like his, he was coasting through life on easy mode anyway) so Type 3 it is.

April Ludgate (Parks and Recreation) — As an unpaid intern turned assistant to equally aloof Ron Swanson, April views her job as an excuse to be around people she finds interesting (though she wouldn’t admit it at first) and spends most of her time scheming, pursuing her unusual hobbies, and falling in love.

Ultimately, being an assistant isn’t for everyone — it’s a job that demands a lot and often gives little in return. Whether you see it as a stepping stone, a side hustle, or just something to pass the time, the role is what you make of it. Like it or not, someone has to do it.

So which type are you — or are you something else entirely?