What Do You Do?

[chevygirl55]

The times, they are a-changing!

Ten years ago, my job was a lot different than it is now.  Used to be that I typed correspondence, either from tape or scribbled notes, researched subjects, maintained the bosses calendar, made travel arrangements, etc. and so forth.   As we hire new managers in, I am finding that they type their own correspondence, do most of their own research, maintain their own calendars, and make their own travel arrangements.  Most of my job now is just to be ready if someone needs to have something picked up, the receptionist needs a break from the phones, etc.  I honestly am doing 1 - 2 hours of work per day, the rest of the time is literally wasted time.  I supervise a staff of two part time and one full time support staff but, bless their hearts, they are the greatest.  They show up every day, on time, cooperate with the managers as well as each other and leave me with very little supervision to do.  About the only thing I need to do is help with a computer or procedure question once in awhile.  This is a relatively small company so there isn't anyplace to move up to and most of the people who are here have been here a very long time.

I have much too much talent to be wasted like this!!!  So I am using the downtime to brush up my rusty skills, while at the same time looking at what positions might be availble to someone with over 20 years experience, a great attitude, and a lot of talent.

So much for that, my question is what do you do in your job?  What are the softwares that are most in demand?  Are you working in a large company or a small company?  Professional office or service environment?  Do I have to plan starting at the bottom again?  I really don't want to start in an entry level position with 20+ years experience but if that is what I have to do....

chevygirl55

[ozbound]

I hear you. I'm a Word Processor, and love what I do. But thanks to the increased ease of computer usage (which is lovely, really) the workload is feast or famine, and the famines have been more frequent as people type their own stuff, etc. Hence, the string of layoffs/temp jobs that didn't last for me. I'm working for a small company right now. Out of 60-some employees, there are 2 that will not touch a computer, and the rest are pretty savvy. Many still dictate documents on tape or handwrite them, though, since as they say, I type much faster than they do! (BTW you're lucky you can use the downtime to brush up your skills--at this company they really want you to "look busy" - and that doesn't mean playing around with Pagemaker even!)

I'm looking to go into Desktop publishing, myself, as I want to do something that is more creative and perhaps pays a bit more. I think it is to an Admin's benefit to learn programs that are still beyond the average user's reach, such as Pagemaker and Photoshop.  I'd say if you can get into a class or learn those programs on your own, go for it.

Good luck, hope you find something that is worthy of your skills!

[spitfire78]

Oh, chevygirl, I hear you.  My job has deteriorated to that point as well. Boring, isn't it?  I live in a semirural area, and the only places that offer the kind of benefits I get here would be a bit of a drive.  I'm not really willing to do that, so I feel sort of stuck.  We just got a new supervisor about a month or so ago.  I have a meeting with him tomorrow morning, and this is one of the things I plan on bringing up.  I don't know if he can do anything about it or not.  But if he can eventually change the admin structure here so that someone with more ambition would have someplace to go, I think I would fall at his feet!!!

[officewiz]

ChevyGirl, I work for a non-profit association, with about 40 employees, for the president and senior vice president of communication (two people).  However, it was not always this way.  (With the now-retired president--gone two years now, I felt as though I was going brain dead, and from all appearances, I was in a dead-end position.)  However, I discovered what really interested me—the written word.  

By bringing the quality of the punctuation of one of our publications to the attention of the SVP of communications, I got that task added to my job.  Soon proofing and editing became official tasks, I was shepherding group emails through the communications process, given responsibility for projects with sister associations, etc.  For a while I was tremendously loaded down with work, but I was so happy to have the challenges and to feel as though I was growing.  (Serving as an assistant, making travel arrangements, scheduling appointments, working with the board of directors, and other responsibilities brought, and still bring me, a great deal of personal satisfaction, but I needed more.)  With the additional communication responsibilities, I just received a fantastic raise, a promotion, and a yet-to be-announced title change.  

Most companies want people to be proficient in Word, PowerPoint, and Excel software.  I am presently working on proficiency in PowerPoint and Excel.  

You don’t have to start at the bottom.  Discover what it is that makes you happy and see if there is some undiscovered territory that you can demonstrate expertise in -- it may have the potential to lead to increased responsibility, satisfaction, and reward at your present company.

~in pursuit of excellence~

[spitfire78]

Well, I had my meeting with my new supervisor.  First impression is that I like him.  He was quiet and easy to talk to - a good listener.  He spent over an hour just talking to 2 of us with no sense of having to hurry through anything.  We talked about a lot of different things, but the main thing I wanted to bring up is about the boredom of the job here, how we are not permitted to use our brains, and how there are very little opportunities to expand for people who want to.  He was very understanding.  He has only been here about 3 to 4 weeks, so I realize he can't do anything about it now and I told him that.  What he is doing right now is going to each of the departments and spending time with the people he supervises and with the bosses to try to get a feel for the people and how the place operates.  He said that one of his jobs is to try to find ways to keep us interested and challenged.  We talked about how there are some admins here who just want to keep their heads down, come in each day, plod along doing the same thing, and go home at the end of the day.  And, as I told him, there's nothing wrong with that.  But it would be nice if there was some way to challenge those of us who want to be challenged. He promised me that as he learns more about the place he would keep this in mind and eventually he may be able to find ways to do that. So, who knows what will happen, if anything, but at least I threw it out there.  Meanwhile, I think I'll put a little thought into some of it and see if I can come up with anything.