Vanessa Hudgens turned secretary for a day

High School Musical star Vanessa Hudgens turned secretary for a day in the name of charity.

The teenage actress and singer stopped off at Miami's South Beach to promote the programme Best Buddies. She shadowed an office assistant to help raise awareness about the scheme, which provides employment opportunities for people with disabilities.

"Best Buddies is an amazing organization that helps support people with mental disabilities," Hudgens said. "Today, it actually put them in jobs, which is why I'm here at Ocean Drive."

Hudgens shot to fame as one of the stars of Disney's smash hit made-for-TV-musicals High School Musical and High School Musical 2.

When she's not singing and dancing, the 18-year-old - currently dating co-star Zac Efron - said she enjoys giving back to the community by touching the lives of those in need. "It's really neat to reach out to people who are fans, too. Just to be able to be a part of their lives is really neat."

When Hudgens was asked about High School Musical 3, she said she was eager to get started and that production was being built into her schedule.