Sekretæren

Sekretären is the definite form of the Swedish noun sekreterare, used to refer to a person who holds the secretary position. The term reflects the role as a professional who provides administrative support in offices, organizations, and institutions. The word sekretär originates from Latin secretarius, with cognates in many European languages, such as French secretaire and English secretary.

The core function of a sekretär typically includes handling correspondence, managing calendars and meetings, organizing travel, maintaining records and files, preparing documents, and offering general administrative support to managers, teams, or organizations. Duties can also involve coordinating with other departments, processing confidential information, arranging events, and using office software for communication and record-keeping. The scope of responsibility often depends on the work setting, with secretaries in larger organizations sometimes taking on more specialized or senior tasks within a “sekretariat” or administrative unit.

Education and career pathways vary. Many sekretärer complete vocational or administrative programs, obtain on-the-job training, or gain experience through entry-level clerical roles. In some sectors, a bachelor’s degree in business administration, office management, or a related field may be preferred. Professional development, such as courses in project management, correspondence, or digital office tools, is common.

Terminology and usage. In Swedish, sekretären denotes a specific individual, whereas sekreterare is the general term for the occupation. Related titles include generalsekreterare (Secretary-General) for the head of an organization. The concept has equivalents in other languages (secretary, Sekretär, secrétaire) and appears in historical, governmental, and organizational contexts.