Help! I need Ideas!!

[curioust]

I need your help.  Recently, my job has been eliminated, but I still work for the company in another capacity.  I'm bored out of my mind!!! (It now takes 8 people to do the job I used to do--talk about cost effective?!)  



I wanted to stay with the company--finding out that might not be possible as an Admin.  Hate the new job, can do all of my work in under an hour.  My Team Leader is wonderful--former Admin and understands my frustration.  My current work isn't suffering because of my boredom.



It boils down to this:  Where would an experienced Admin, with above average computer (Word, Excel, PowerPoint) skills find a job that's not at entry level?  I've tried monster.com, hotjobs.com, newspapers.  I'm close enough to a Major city for them to look at my skills, but finding they want someone "local".



Sorry for the long post.  I desperately need ideas--can anyone help?

[winkiebear]

I had the same problem about a year ago ... have you thought about changing fields?  A lot of companies are now searching for Presentation Specialists - people to work on PowerPoint alone.  There's no administrative stuff to do - it's all PC work.

[ssc1208]

Winkie, could you elaborate more on what a "Presentation Specialist" is? It sounds intriguing. I like working with Power Point, it's one of my most favorite things to do.



Thanks

[winkiebear]

Sure - I love PowerPoint also!



A presentation specialist ONLY works in PowerPoint.  It's not administrative - I think it's similar to a Desktop Publisher.  The position I had (and turned down) was creating high-quality, high-tech PowerPoint presentations, used as a marketing strategy for the company.



There is NO admin work.  And several graphic arts companies lately are looking for Presentation Specs.  (ssc, you're near Chicago - watch MonsterBoard and CareerPath for them).



To find one, go to a jobsearch site and use the keyword 'PowerPoint', nothing else.  For fields, look under computer and/or graphic arts.  The position is still 'growing' ... but I think it's well worth it.

[ssc1208]

Yeah, I'm in the northern suburbs. I'm going to check that out when I get home. Sounds interesting. My mom worked in desktop publishing and she really liked it. I've thought about doing it as well as I do like to design things and be creative. Thanks for the tips!

[winkiebear]

ssc - the job that I referred to was in Buffalo Grove!

[ssc1208]

Oh, wow. I work in Lincolnshire, but I live in Antioch. So depending on where in Buffalo Grove, that would have been OK. Some parts of BG are kind of far of a drive since the town is so spread out. Well, we'll see. Maybe they'll have something similar right here at my current company.



Winkie, do you work in the city?



Sabrina

[curioust]

I have considered it.  My personality is such that I enjoy mentally "bouncing off the walls" which is why Admin work suits me so well.  



I'm trying to narrow it down to the pieces that fit both my creativity requirements and my personality.  I'm also

e x t r e m e l y responsible--so making a good fit for myself AND the people I work with is important to me.



The 1st Interest Survey I took (in college) narrowed the field to 288 interests.  The 2nd (a few years ago) has narrowed it to 81.  That's part of the problem.  Computers have been the only "link" to the majority of the fields.



I haven't heard of a "Presentation Specialist", but I do enjoy putting together presentations very much.

[winkiebear]

CuriousT, look into desktop publishing - it allows for a creative outlet that I think you may enjoy.  



ssc, I work in Schaumburg.

[ssc1208]

Oh, so you're just down the road from me. I had an interview at a company in Schaumburg a couple of years ago. But it was entirely too hard to get there during rush hour. (took me two hours for the interview, it's normally less than an hour drive) I'm not holding my breath on 53 ever going through either. Well, anyway, thanks for the info!  

[msmarieh]

Not sure how big your company is or what potential there is for growth outside admin, but here are some additional possibilities to consider:



If you have really strong computer skills:

Help Desk

Training (Can you set up classes to teach others in your company?)

Web Design



If you have strong people/organizational skills:

Events Planning

Wedding Consultant



If you are very disciplined:

Virtual Assistant



Marie



 

[curioust]

MsMarieH -

Company just went international, but we have our "side" of the corporate offices in the town I work from.  The "other side" is in Canada--not willing to go that far right now.  



My youngest (15 1/2) is in a decent high school, really good friend base--all good kids, not troublemakers; making good grades.  I can't move her again.  Have moved 3 times in the last 3 yrs.--most recently in Feb. because of a flood buyout.



My company doesn't give a lot of credit for experience--only on education.  We already have a Web Master and all computer training is handled by the local Community Colleges.



I'm trying to figure out how to make VA work for me, still have a lot of answers to get.  I am an execellent Events Planner--can party-plan for 130 with less than 2 hours notice.

[curioust]

Should I consider a "head hunter" or temping again?