Getting stuck in a rut in a dead-end career is something many people fear, so thinking about ways to get out of such a situation is always worthwhile.

One woman believes the answer is to turn to secretarial work, which she suggested is varied, challenging and satisfying.

Sherri Eckworth, 45, won the PA Of The Year award in London earlier this month and she has told the Daily Mirror how her career has been turned on its head by a move into this line of work.

She is executive assistant at digital marketing agency TMW in Soho, where her responsibilities include organising the schedules of the managing director, chief operating officer and chief services director so that they are all in the right places at the right times.

"I love the work. It's satisfying to use my organisational skills to keep things running efficiently," Ms Eckworth explained.

It is a far cry from her previous life in and out of part-time jobs and taking on cleaning duties in order to make ends meet. At no point did Ms Eckworth ever believe she would have a successful career in London on her CV.

"Ever since I started out, my career has meandered. I've worked hard, grabbed opportunities and progressed naturally," she stated.

The birth of her son Sean saw her continue in part-time and low-paid roles, but when he was two-and-a-half she decided she wanted to do something more prestigious, so she found a job in Romford as a receptionist.

Ms Eckworth said this was the obvious starting point for a career as a secretary or a PA, and before long she was moving to London to pick up a better job and a higher salary.

Now, she enjoys a challenging daily routine where she can put her skills to the test and achieve great results. Not only has secretarial work changed her life, it has allowed her success to be recognised at the recent awards ceremony.

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