Career path advice.

I am a very confused young man. I have a variety of career options open to me. I have offers from BAS and BT. In addition to this, my "curveball" option is a chance to become the "Enterprise Personal Management Assistance Executive" (essentially PA) for the CFO of a large listed software company.

To be honest, the latter position is fascinating. I have been told that I will be "in effect managing the entire finance department". I will be "the eyes and ears" of the CFO and will "keep the troops in line". The department will regard me as the de-facto boss. I am fresh out of uni but cannot quite believe the growth potential with this role. One step down from CFO!!!!

Should I go for this unique role or follow the slower, more conventional MC route to the top?? Help!!!

Is this post a joke?

The latter option is just that - you will be a PA/Glorified Secretary. It is not 'One step down from CFO' it is one step up from the secretarial pool.

Graham, milk and two sugars please mate, chop chop

hmmm,

hey, that's great. a valiant attempt at a joke. keep plugging away.

This is NOT A PA position. I have been assured that this is a position of true authority. consiglieri to the CFO is the best description that I can provide to the cynical luddites who can't resist a cheap shot.

Anyone out there with any genuine advice?

Imagine you were a recruiter. What would you think if you saw "Enterprise Personal Management Assistance Executive" on a CV?

Get rid of Enterprise - that's a meaningless filler word. Same for Executive. You're left with "Personal Management Assistance".

My view would be that you're Management's PA.

Hence the 'tea' comment.

If you're looking for credibility, try elsewhere.

Oh and who offers a fresh, inexperienced grad the opportunity to "in effect" manage the finance dept?

You've made the coffee; now wake up and smell it!

ok maybe you wont just make tea. Maybe you will also do some filing and if you are really lucky book his travel and fetch his dry cleaning. Its a common description tht the PA is the boss of a department, she isn't she just does the admin

I do hope you are trying a real lazy joke

Graham we are trying to disabuse you of your ignorance/rose tinted lenses. Be sensible for your own sake and take an offer with BT or BAS; also you said it yourself : 'my "curveball" option is a chance to become the "Enterprise Personal Management Assistance Executive" (essentially PA) for the CFO...'.

Unless you want to be a secretary don't go there. If you want to waste your time (and lose your credibility in the process, as you will have a hard time explaining this one away in a few years) go ahead.