Advance your career in the professional services sector—an essential part of Tallahassee’s growing economy. From finance and marketing to legal and consulting roles, this industry offers diverse career pathways with opportunities for growth, skill development, and leadership. Explore the education, training, and employment resources that can help you build a successful career in professional services.
You don’t have to work at a specialty firm or agency to have a career in professional services. Many businesses—no matter the industry—have in-house roles for marketing, human resources, accounting, and administration. That means you can build a career in professional services while working in healthcare, education, tech, manufacturing, and more. These skills are essential to every organization, opening doors to opportunities in nearly every sector.
Professional services offer a wide range of career pathways that can start with entry-level roles and lead to leadership or specialized positions across industries. Whether you begin as a receptionist, administrative assistant, or customer service representative, there are clear opportunities to grow into roles like office manager, HR specialist, marketing manager, or financial analyst. Many professional services careers also offer lateral movement—allowing you to shift into areas like legal support, project management, or public administration with additional training or experience. With strong transferable skills and diverse job settings, this sector provides flexible, upwardly mobile career options for individuals at any stage of their professional journey.
Communication
Conflict Resolution
Research Skills
Time-Management Skills
Ethics
Organization
Administrative Assistants keep offices running smoothly by supporting managers and teams with organization, communication, and clerical tasks. They handle scheduling, correspondence, data entry, and often serve as a first point of contact for internal and external communications.
Manage calendars, answer phones, organize files, support daily office operations.
Offices in nearly every industry, including education, healthcare, legal, and government.
Fast-paced, multitasking environment with a mix of routine and varied tasks.
Organization, communication, time management, Microsoft Office, customer service.
High school diploma or associate degree; administrative certifications are a plus.
Office manager, executive assistant, project coordinator, operations support.
Bookkeepers maintain accurate financial records for businesses, tracking income, expenses, and transactions. They play a key role in ensuring financial health and regulatory compliance through detailed recordkeeping and reporting.
Record transactions, reconcile bank statements, manage accounts payable/receivable.
Small businesses, accounting firms, nonprofits, or remote freelance work.
Structured, detail-oriented work with regular deadlines.
Attention to detail, QuickBooks or similar software, basic accounting, math skills.
High school diploma or associate degree; bookkeeping certification helpful.
Accountant, payroll specialist, office manager, financial analyst.
Receptionists are the front-line representatives of businesses and organizations, responsible for greeting visitors, answering calls, and managing front-desk activities. They set the tone for customer or client interactions.
Welcome guests, answer phones, schedule appointments, manage front-desk operations.
Offices, medical facilities, salons, law firms, and nonprofits.
Face-to-face customer interaction, multitasking, and managing busy front desks.
Communication, friendliness, organization, computer literacy, professionalism.
High school diploma; on-the-job training typically provided.
Administrative assistant, office coordinator, customer service manager.
Bank Tellers handle routine financial transactions like deposits, withdrawals, and payments. They provide customer service, ensure accurate recordkeeping, and promote banking services.
Process financial transactions, verify identification, balance cash drawers, assist customers.
Banks, credit unions, and other financial institutions.
Customer-facing work with a strong focus on accuracy and service.
Attention to detail, math skills, customer service, cash handling, communication.
High school diploma; on-the-job training provided by employer.
Personal banker, loan officer, branch manager, financial services specialist.
Paralegals assist lawyers by conducting legal research, preparing documents, and organizing case files. They play a key role in law firms, government agencies, and corporate legal departments.
Draft legal documents, perform research, manage case files, assist in trial prep.
Law firms, courts, corporate legal teams, and government offices.
Structured, deadline-driven work with an emphasis on detail and accuracy.
Legal writing, research, organization, confidentiality, knowledge of legal procedures.
Associate or bachelor’s degree in paralegal studies or a related field; certification may boost job prospects.
Legal analyst, compliance officer, law office manager, eventually law school.
Accountants and auditors ensure that financial records are accurate and comply with regulations. They prepare financial statements, conduct audits, and advise businesses on financial strategy and tax compliance.
Prepare financial reports, file taxes, audit records, offer financial guidance.
Accounting firms, businesses, nonprofits, government agencies, or freelance.
Analytical, deadline-focused work requiring accuracy and integrity.
Accounting software (e.g., QuickBooks, Excel), attention to detail, ethics, analytical thinking.
Bachelor’s degree in accounting or finance; CPA certification may be required.
Controller, CFO, tax advisor, forensic accountant, audit manager.
Graphic Designers create visual content for print and digital media, blending creativity and strategy to communicate messages effectively. They work on branding, advertising, social media, websites, and more.
Design logos, ads, layouts, and visual materials using digital tools.
Marketing agencies, corporate teams, nonprofits, or freelance.
Creative, deadline-oriented work that balances art and communication.
Adobe Creative Suite (Photoshop, Illustrator), creativity, typography, layout skills.
Associate or bachelor’s degree in graphic design or related field; portfolio essential.
Art director, UX/UI designer, brand strategist, creative manager.
HR Managers oversee the hiring process, employee relations, benefits, and compliance within organizations. They help shape workplace culture and ensure teams are supported and productive.
Recruit staff, manage benefits, enforce policies, resolve conflicts, ensure compliance.
Corporations, government, education, healthcare, nonprofits.
A mix of strategic planning and people management.
Communication, leadership, HR software, conflict resolution, organizational knowledge.
Bachelor’s degree in HR or business; certifications like SHRM-CP or PHR are valued.
Director of HR, chief people officer, organizational development leader.
Careers in public administration involve managing programs and services for government or nonprofit organizations. These professionals shape policy, oversee budgets, and ensure efficient service delivery.
Develop policies, manage programs, coordinate public services, oversee budgets.
Government agencies, nonprofits, universities, and community organizations.
Policy-focused, mission-driven work often involving complex systems.
Leadership, budgeting, public speaking, policy analysis, grant management.
Bachelor’s or master’s in public administration, public policy, or political science.
City manager, program director, nonprofit executive, policy analyst.
Payroll and Benefits Managers oversee employee compensation and benefits programs. They ensure timely and accurate pay, manage benefits enrollment, and maintain compliance with employment laws.
Process payroll, administer benefits, handle tax reporting, manage employee records.
HR departments in businesses, healthcare, government, and education.
Structured work with a focus on accuracy, confidentiality, and compliance.
Payroll systems (e.g., ADP), benefits knowledge, attention to detail, compliance skills.
Bachelor’s degree in HR, accounting, or business; certification (e.g., CPP) can help.
HR manager, compensation and benefits analyst, director of HR operations.
Marketing Strategists and Managers lead the planning, execution, and evaluation of marketing campaigns that drive brand awareness, customer engagement, and business growth. They analyze market trends, identify target audiences, and coordinate creative and digital efforts to deliver measurable results. This role blends creativity with analytics to shape how organizations connect with the public.
Develop marketing strategies, manage campaigns, oversee branding, analyze performance metrics, and collaborate with creative and sales teams.
Corporate offices, marketing agencies, nonprofits, government, or remote settings.
A fast-paced, project-based environment with tight deadlines and high collaboration.
Strategic thinking, data analysis, digital marketing, content creation, SEO/SEM, tools like Google Analytics, CRM platforms, and social media.
Bachelor’s degree in marketing, communications, or business; certifications (like HubSpot or Google Ads) can boost your skillset.
Director of Marketing, VP of Marketing, Brand Strategist, Chief Marketing Officer (CMO).
Insurance Agents help individuals and businesses choose insurance policies that protect their health, property, income, and assets. They explain coverage options, assess customer needs, and connect clients with the right plans—ranging from auto and home insurance to life, health, and business policies. This career blends sales, customer service, and financial knowledge.
Sell insurance policies, assess client needs, provide quotes, explain coverage, and assist with claims.
Insurance agencies, brokerages, financial institutions, or independent/remote work.
Goal-oriented work with a strong focus on customer service, relationship-building, and sales.
Communication, sales, negotiation, problem-solving, attention to detail, and knowledge of insurance products and regulations.
High school diploma or bachelor’s degree; must be licensed in the state of Florida (training and exam required).
Senior agent, agency manager, underwriter, insurance broker, or financial advisor.
Administrative Assistant
Teller
Receptionist
Bookkeeper
Paralegal
Paralegal
Graphic Designer
HR Manager
Public Administration
Payroll/Benefits Manager
Marketing Strategist
Insurance Agent
