There's no escaping it. People are working in different office environments. You hear about it on television, in the newspaper, and in business journals. But is it really an option for administrative staff.

To find out the answer, we sent a query over the Internet. Is there any better place to get information about current work practices? What we found was a new type of working professional performing administrative tasks in their own homes. The call themselves "virtual assistants." To discover more about this new option, we spoke with Lora Davidek of Westminster, Colorado, and Stacy Brice, of Baltimore, Maryland, two women who are successful in the field.

When asked what the greatest reward was in being a virtual assistant, both women agreed, being your own boss. Davidek said that while technically the client is her boss, she is in control of what she does, when she does it. "You do the work when you want, early morning, late night, whatever your body clock is.

"Being able to structure my own time," is a big plus for Brice, who says she enjoys assisting several, diverse clients. She also appreciates the challenge of getting everything done, and using all of her talents with a variety of clients.

Important for Brice is the opportunity to "work in a setting created with only me in mind." Working in her most comfortable clothes is another benefit that ranks high on her list.

"For so long, I hunted for the 'perfect' position in the corporate world," admits Davidek. "It wasn't until I found the avenue of virtual assistance that I found that position. It balanced the home, family, and career aspects of my life so perfectly that it alleviated a lot of stress." She adds, "Regardless of what some people might say, I find working out of my home more relaxing and energizing at the same time."

Working at home, Davidek finds she makes better use of down time. "So many times in working a 9 to 5 office job, I found myself in a down time at work. I thought, 'there is so much more I could be doing if I were at home.'' Now that I am working from home, I find more time for those things, and not worrying about who was going to 'catch' me not working."

"Since your clients could be hundreds of miles away, the situation makes you use the wonderful information media that helps you be in contact with your client, no matter the time of day." says Davidek, in praise of the advances of modern office equipment.

Brice, who too enjoys using technology, also suggests this as one of the biggest challenges for virtual assistants. "From E-mail to fax machines to voice mail and a telephone system, it takes a little while to become accustomed to using all this to be efficient. If you are a novice and do not already know this media, it will be a hard row to how to join the world of virtual assistance." However, if you can incorporate these tools in your business, Brice says, "you will be successful."

As with any office professional, virtual assistants often find themselves juggling their schedules. Brice says that "staying calm when clients all want something at the same time" is one of the challenges she faces. She adds that anyone considering this option should structure their time and keep regular work hours. This is especially important for people who work from their home and could have the tendency to be all work and no play.

Some practical advice comes from Davidek who recommends getting and keeping quality office equipment and support. You don't have the corporate system you did in a traditional office, she says, most notably, computer support.

"Your virtuality is dependent on your equipment and so many of us are used to having support only a telephone call away. However, working on your own, this support is limited and expensive. When your telephone is out or your computer is not doing what it is supposed to, this results in loss of work, time and money."

Reconciling the long distance bill for each client can cause headaches for Brice who tries to provide the lowest per minute rate available without having 600 phone lines and "without making myself crazy when I look at the bill." Also, to cover small expenses, she suggests her clients have a petty cash fund so that she doesn't have to outlay a lot of money.