What is a Personal Assistant?

In a business world sense, a personal assistant is a trusted junior employee who assumes the role of an executive's chief-of-staff. Many of the everyday tasks necessary for an effective workday fall on the personal assistant, from scheduling meetings to arranging transportation. A personal assistant is also expected to screen incoming calls and messages, assign tasks to other junior employees and prioritize his or her employer's schedule. Running personal errands or setting appointments may also be part of a personal assistant's duties.