The position of secretary or personal assistant used to be the preserve of women, but now men are making their way in. The change is due partly to the highest rate of graduate unemployment and the growing awareness that salaries for PAs can reach £75,000 a year.

Joshua Watson, 25, has been an executive (行政的) assistant to a female senior director at Barclays for 18 months, having previously worked as a PA. He does not see himself as working in a woman’s role. “I don’t feel that I’m treated any differently just because I’m male,” he said. “I don’t think that is an issue for people from my generation. It’s a good job for me because I am fond of organizing. I have good exposure to see the top people in the company and I want to climb the ladder.”

Recruitment(招聘) consultants are seeing an ever-increasing number of men interested in PA or secretarial posts. “Out of the 1,000 candidates we’ve registered in the past 12 months, around 200 are male,” said David Morel, managing director of Tiger Recruitment. “It is increasing the whole time. Since 2011, the numbers have been doubling each year, and most of them are ambitious graduates.”

Susanna Tait, managing director of Tay Associates, agrees. She said she had seen a “huge” increase in numbers of male applicants. “It’s an obvious career choice for ambitious individuals keen to operate at the centre of the business field.”

Quest Professional, which offers training courses for companies and organizations, said this was the first year that men had attended its executive PA program and that “more and more” men were doing related course.

Top PAs in the City now earn between £35,000 and £75,000, plus benefits—in some cases even more. Morel thinks this is the primary reason why more men are coming into the market.

Barclays encourages male applicants for PA and similar roles. “We will offer everyone—regardless of their gender—the same opportunities to be successful,” said a spokesperson.

When people introduce themselves, I always hear them say “I’m just a housewife”. I don’t understand why their introduction is always filled with regret and self-pity. Is it really a crime to be a housewife? Is it really embarrassing (令人尴尬的) when you choose not to work outside and instead choose to work in your home? Is income the only mark of being proud of what you are doing and how you are spending your life?

How could you be “you are just a housewife” when the basic social unit of society depends on you and your service? Isn’t it surprising that even if your day starts before everyone and ends after everyone, you still don’t feel that you have accomplished (实现) anything? A housewife works for the longest hour, shelling out every responsibility of the house, supporting your husband, child studies, caring for elders, managing finances, paying bills, grocery shopping, cooking according to individual taste, cleaning, entertaining family and friends, maintaining a pleasant environment at home, remembering things that others have forgotten, looking after each and every requirement of the family members, etc. A housewife could be anyone: daughter, wife, mother, teacher, financial advisor, fashion designer and consultant, nurse, gardener, driver, cook, and so on. Don’t think you are not being paid for it. You get the reward that no money can offer — the love and affection (挚爱) of your family, their trust in you, a happy home and your own satisfaction.

It is you who choose to be in this occupation, willingly or for any other reason. After a busy day, all wait to return to the comfortable home set by you. They know you will be there to absorb all their stress and tiredness and relax them. Would the life have been the same had you been working outside to earn some money? Would you along with your family have been able to buy all the content in life that you are enjoying now with that money?

Respect yourself for what you are. Introduce yourself to the world with the same dignity. The world understands the importance of your job; it’s time to make them accept it. Introduce yourself with pride and with twinkle in your eyes “I am a housewife”. Kick that “just” out.

Community Development Projects Overseas

The aim of Community Development projects abroad in Temple Conservation, DIY and more is to improve poorer local communities. You can do them as part of your work experience, gap year or career break. Or just as a volunteering holiday.

Time: 1st, March-31st, May 2022

Registration fee: $65

Maintenance/Handyman/DIY skills, this project would love to have you! The project is truly unique... you will assist an Animal Rehabilitation Center that desperately needs any help it can get and you will be benefiting the animals at the same time! And, of course, the location is very unusual.

Time: 1st, May-31st, July 2022

Registration fee: Free

Buddhist Temple Repair and Construction Project in Kand. Rebuild and repair Buddhist temple in and around Kandy. This unique and fascinating project offers an opportunity to learn about Sri Lanka n construction using traditional manual methods, without using modern machines. Work includes construction, repairing temples, cleaning in and around temples, interacting with children and villagers and helping the temples arrange Community Centers for the village youths. You will also assist with the repair of paintings and sculptures inside the temples.

Time: 1st, October-31st, December, 2022

Registration fee: $120

Community Healthcare and Medical Project in Gweru gain basic medical experience in local clinics and play a role in HIV/AIDS education and awareness. You will be able to get involved in not only this clinic but others in the nearby areas. as well. You do not need to be qualified in any particular area. You will work with children from the ages of 3 to 6 years. It is a very worthwhile, enjoyable placement.