Don Firth, Speaking only from personal experience, Administrative Assistants are what secretaries became when their responsibilities were increased. The title change was in lieu of a pay raise because who wouldn't be proud to parade around a new title rather than trouser a bit more cash. Some of us have gone on to be Executive Assistants, running entire departments and being quite amazed by it all. What a title! And to think, all this at no extra cost to the corporation.