Get-ahead advice: "Stay on top of your game. If you want to become an administrator, be a strong leader, manage your time well, be personable, and be visible in your school."--Marion A. Bolden, superintendent, Newark Public Schools, Newark, New Jersey

ADMINISTRATIVE ASSISTANT

Must-have attitude: From managing calendars to managing clients, be a problem solver.

Career bible: The New Office Professional's Handbook: How to Survive and Thrive in Today's Office Environment by the editors of The American Heritage Dictionaries (Houghton Mifflin).

Work accessory: Take your projects on the go and stay in touch with this DualCor cPC 400 Megahertz Mobile Processor with Web surfing and Windows XP.

Get-ahead advice: "Respond quickly to your manager's inquiries and develop a good rapport to discuss any issue openly."--MaShawnda Graham, executive assistant; member, National Association of Executive Secretaries and Administrative Assistants

BUSINESS OWNER

Must-have attitude: Be self-motivated, think creatively, and be flexible to changing competitive pressures or client needs.

Career bible: Tapping Your Inner Entrepreneur by Diane Sears (National Association of Women Business Owners).

Work accessory: With the Palm Treo 700w Smartphone, you won't miss deals. It keeps you connected with clients via voice and E-mail and uses one of the fastest networks available.

Get-ahead advice: "Financial preparation is key--have enough reserves so that losing a big client won't cripple your operations. And reinvest in your business."--Gayle Watson, president, National Association of Women Business Owners; president, Performance Solutions, Inc.

NURSE

Must-have attitude: Concerned and compassionate with an empathetic demeanor.

Career bible: The American Nurses Association publishes several books on nursing, such as Nursing: Scope & Standards of Practice.

Work accessory: Traveling and in-house nurses spend hours on their feet every day, so try Reebok for lady Foot Locker Driving Evolution Shoe to keep your engines going.

Get-ahead advice: "There is a critical shortage of nurses, so this is a wonderful opportunity for someone who is fresh out of high school or transitioning. Do your research. Some programs will pay for your education or even forgive your student loans if you agree to work in need-based communities."--Mary Maryland, nurse practitioner, Jackson Park Hospital and Medical Center, Chicago

SALES PROFESSIONAL

Must-have attitude: It's all about setting goals and removing obstacles to achieve them. Your new alias: Polly Positive, a critical mind-set for any sales pro.

Career bible: The Little Red Book of Selling: 12.5 Principles of Sales Greatness by Jeffrey Gitomer (Bard Press).

Work accessory: Whether you're on the sales floor assisting customers or jumping from office to office peddling products, your feet will thank you for these footbed-padded, slip-resistant Enzo Angiolini Zabrina pumps.

Get-ahead advice: "Create a list of common deal breakers, then be prepared to rebut them. Know your product and share positive testimonials from current clients with your prospective customers."--Aaron Bare, president and CEO, National Association of Sales Professionals

CORPORATE CLIMBER

Must-have attitude: The confidence and creativity to brand yourself. Know where it is you want to go within the company, and identify the way to get there through mentors and role models.

Career bible: Corporate America: Surviving Your Journey Towards Success by Nichel Anderson (Writer's Showcase Press).

Work accessory: Your ideas are your most valuable commodity; keep your intellectual property close to the vest with the DiskGo! USB 2.0 Flash Drive Plus Ink Pen. Save from 32 megabytes to 1 gigabyte of PowerPoint presentations, important spreadsheets and corporate secrets.

Get-ahead advice: "Make sure your work is more valuable than the salary you make. Become the person who generates ideas and solutions that give your company a competitive edge."--Vanessa Enoch, president, National Black MBA Association, Cincinnati chapter