Why Become an Administrative Professional

[msmarieh]

Last night I hosted a booth on Administrative Professionals at a career fair for high school students. I have done this the last several years and have also been a panelist on the profession to answer questions. Not surprisingly it is like pulling teeth to get them to consider that this can indeed be a profession with a career path. So many enter the field with the thought of doing something while they decide what they want to be when they grow up. I thought I would share with you the talking points that I use. Several people said that their eyes were opened by my comments as to the potential of the field (though I still doubt they are encouraging their children in this direction).



Why Become an Admin???



Because you will always be able to find work.



You are the glue that holds the company together.



Your skills are completely portable.



You can work in any department of any company of any size in any industry.



You are the first to learn new software as you are often expected to train your co-workers on it.



You can customize your job to include exactly what interests you.



You workday varies with computer work, travel arranging, meeting planning, event coordination, etc.



If you like Powerpoint, you can work in sales and marketing creating presentations and marketing materials.



If you like Word, you can work in business development creating contracts, proposals and other correspondence.



If you prefer numbers, you can work with budgeting and spreadsheets in Excel with the Financing department.



If you find yourself at the Executive Level you may be organizing shareholder meetings and company picnics.



You can specialize in certain industries to increase your earning potential: legal, medical, etc.



In many companies, particularly smaller ones, you may be required to wear many hats. This can give you the opportunity to do web page development, project management, training and other niche responsibilities.



It is one of the rare careers which you can enter with no experience or college education, although of course training and education will help you find success at the top levels.



You are the knowledge resource for the company - knowing who, what, where, when and why.



You are the first place your coworkers will turn for assistance.



You are the one who remains calm while all about you are losing it.



You can use this as a career path in itself or as a stepping stone to another career because you are building a solid foundation and understanding of how a company functions.



The origination of the word Secretary was "keeper of secrets" - trusted advisors to the highest officials in the towns and kingdoms.



In short, being an Administrative Professional encompasses a lot more responsibility than most people realize!



Happy Administrative Professionals Week everyone!



Marie



 

[icebreakerpenguin]

MsMarieH, I could go on and on about the opportunities in becoming an administrative professional, but I believe it comes down to the engraved stereotype of an administrative professional being a secretary.  And unfortunately young people looking at a career with more earning potential.  For admins, it's out there but many of the jobs that they see are low paying and that discourages them.  I agree with everything you say and I speak the same words myself whenever I talk about the profession whether it be to friends, family, potential employers, everyone!  That's what every admin needs to do to change the stereotype which no longer fits anymore!  Keep it going!  

[kknisley]

That was wonderful!  You hit the nail on the head. I'm working on getting our IAAP chapter members to go out into there local high schools and career centers to promote the admin profession.  May I use your comments?



One other thing to add - generally speaking, we can leave our work on the desk when we leave for the day.  Most of our boss's take home a ton of work when they leave.  

[Katie G]

Unfortunately, this society equates high pay with a job being important.  Professions like teaching, day-care, counseling, social work, etc. have the same problem -- the pay just isn't commensurate with the importance and responsibility of the job.  Loving what you do is great, but love won't pay for the mortgage, the heating bill or the groceries!



I also get tired of this scenario:  You meet a person outside of work.  You're having a pleasant, intelligent conversation until you get to the "what do you do?" bit.  You anaswer, "Secretary" and all of a sudden  they get this "look" on their face as if you've somehow just lost about 30 IQ points with that one word.  (Doesn't happen all the time but when it does, boy is it irritating.)  

[msmarieh]

Yes, feel free to use the comments and let me know any other suggestions for them.



I completely agree about the stereotypes and that's why I actively participate in these types of events. The only way to overcome stereotypes in my opinion is education.



As for the pay, generally speaking you are correct but I see changes and for myself, I make an obscene amount of money, so I know it is possible to do well.



As for the IQ points, my husband has convinced his company that they could fire their other four admins and just have me come in and take over for them! (I have pointed out to him that like most people he is probably completely clueless as to how much they actually do.) Good thing for me he didn't even consider the IQ when he met me...LOL



Marie

[ozbound]

...was the main reason I chose this Profession--it was handy, I have the skills, and I do enjoy it more or less.  (Not to say anything against teachers, but the only way I could really make a living using my degree would be teaching and I am definitely not cut out for that!)  I do like your post however. Being an admin is great if you work for a good company.

I'd like to know how to make an "obscene" amount of money as an admin, though! I do OK, but nothing to crow about. Maybe if I got some training as a Web designer or computer guru (but then, that's another profession altogether... unless your boss wants the admin to be his/her web designer/computer guru, in which case you know it's *not* because bossie wants to pay you more money!  )



Aside from the "secretary" stereotype, I like the little factoid about "Keeper of secrets" -- makes it sound almost mystical somehow...    

[queeperqueen]

I am a secretary.  My duty title is secretary.  As MsMarieH mentioned, the word originated from "keeper of secrets" we are, in fact, the ones our bosses can confide in.  



The thing that bothers me is why do people think another title such as Administrative Assistant, etc., better than "secretary."  I know its the mindset of the public, but I wish they would think for just a moment.  Consider the fact that we have a Secretary of Labor, a Secretary of Defense, etc., (...and no one thinks their IQ level dropped 30 points because of their title).



QueeperQueen (Secretary, and proud of it!)





 

[countrigal]

I for one am proud to have a job of any kind and am glad that I found my niche in this field.  As for what I give as a title... I always say "Secretary" in a strong voice, looking the person in the eye, and I've never had a negative reaction.  In fact, most of the time I get a response more like "Wow, so you know all the ins and outs of doing "x"."  My actual title is Administrative Support Assistant, but like I tell folks, that's just a glorified name for secretary (not for everyone, but for my position it's true).  If the job is the same, why not call it such??  I show that I'm proud to be a secretary and I think it reflects in how I get treated once someone hears that.