Are You Happy as an Administrative Professional?

[eclecticone]

Hi all:

I'd like to give a bit of background before I pose my question.  I'm an administrative assistant for a global benefits consulting firm.  I love the company and I love the people I work with.  Been there for 2 years. However, I can't seem to find a level of contentment with my job.  75%+ of the time, I'm thinking about where this job is going to take me.  In other words, I don't think I want to be an administrative assistant for the span of my career. And I guess it really has nothing to do with the company or the work, but more about what I want or where I see myself.

With that said, I'd like to take an informal poll from the board's population. How many of you are happy in an administrative role? Its funny, but there are times when I feel content and can envision doing so much. Then, there are other times when I feel like "heck, I don't wanna be an AA for the rest of my life."

Question:  How many of you love what you do and aren't pursing any other career. On the flip side, how many of you view your role as a "stepping stone" to the job/career you want.

Thanks to all for your responses.

[mlm668]

I'd have to say that I am happy with my career.  I had this conversation with my psychiatrist yesterday when he asked me about my finances and he suggested my going to school to be an LPN.  While this career won't make me rich, it suits my personality.  Working directly with people the way a nurse with have to doesn't.  

I have access to 98% of the information that passes through our office and know many of the bosses' decisions before my direct supervisor which shows me I've earned their trust.  My opinion is sought on many issues which shows me I've earned their respect.  In essence, I feel that in many ways I can be the power behind the throne so to speak.  Without me and my knowledge there is a lot that wouldn't get done that needs to be done.  Because I have proven myself, I am relied upon to make sure that everything is done the way it should be and on time.

I know I sound like I'm bragging, but if I don't sing my own praises, no one else will.    Even when I have days that I can't stand to be at work or around my co-workers, I love what I do.  





Michelle

[chris68]

I echo what Michelle has written 100%.  I LOVE what I do even on the worst of days (and believe me there have been a few butes lately), but all in all its a great career and I love the people I work with as well.  I haven't been able to say that in the past and it has made a huge difference. It's part of the reason I have been with the same company for 5 years now.  I truly enjoy the boss I have (he's one of the best I've had in a long time).  Plus yes people do come and go but the core group of people are still there (even after our merge with another company).  These folks are wonderful to work for and with. They know they can rely on me under any circumstance.  If they need extra time from me I am more than willing to provide it to get the job done!  It's been a wonderful 5 years at this company and I have learnt alot along the way, which I guess is why I'm still at this position, I'm not bored yet.  I've been in other jobs that after a couple of years I'm bored to death, then its time to move on.  So far I've been able to get enough training to enhance the career I have and make myself more valuable to the company for it in the long run.  I would be happy to stay as long as my current employer will have me.

Chris68
Deskdemon Forum Board Staff

[chevygirl55]

I am happy with the title of "Administrative Professional" however, I have come to a point where because I am an AA, I can't get anymore training or any more responsibilities and I am bored out of my mind.  I would like to do website design.  Our company website has not been updated for over a year and a half.  I have offered to get the training on my own, no cost to the company.  I have presented this at least three times in the past 6 months.  But I am told that I am an AA.  That is a function for a marketing person and it doesn't matter one bit that our marketing person is not doing it or that I have the time and the desire.  I am an AA so I cannot be considered to do it.  I am not happy with the way others view my ability to take on more responsibilities, more training, or to be seen as someone in a supervisory role.  Our office staff (accounting clerk, AA's, receptionist) run themselves because the office manager is the office manager is that in title only.  He will take no responsibility in helping the staff guide who will cover phones when someone is out, seeing that the person gets the breaks she is entitled to, etc.  We have to do it ourselves.  I am not talking about knowing when you are going to be out and making arrangements to have your responsibilities covered.  I am talking emergency illnesses, etc.  When asked for input or help in covering, we get "it is not my job (translate - it is beneath me)."  I do not like being "stuck" setting at my desk because all I can handle is to fax, file, type, and mail.  

So it is a two way sword.  I do not like the way administrative support is viewed at my company.  I do like being an administrative professional.

chevygirl55

[movinonup]

My attitude is very close to that of Chevygirl's.  I enjoy being an admin because of the variety of work and added responsibilities given to me by my boss, who has learned to delegate more and more.  However, I am tired of having to leave these assignments and be forced to cover the front desk on a once-weekly basis, and for emergencies.  It's not something each of the admins where I work has time to do anymore, and we can't convince management to handle it in any other way.  I used to think this was the most aggravating thing about the job, but now...

My boss has had to turn over from our headquarters facility the duty of data entry on the SAP system.  I am finding this extremely tedious and it makes me want to scream when HQ refuses to give me the instructions I need to get the job done.  They think I should be able to figure the system out on my own.  It rarely works the way it should, and even when it does, it's extremely cumbersome.

But on the whole, I like being in this type of job.  I like to help people keep their meetings and trips organized, make suggestions for presentation improvements, taking notes at meetings and following up on them.  I enjoy the added responsibilities of monitoring certain systems.  The varied duties are much more appealing than being stuck doing one thing all day long.  I have experience doing transcription work, supervisory work, and tediously strict data entry.  I've got to say that admin work beats them all, which is why I returned to this type of job after a break of many years--some of it as a SAHM.

Movinonup

[Jackie G]

First of all, welcome to the Hub.

Your post is interesting, as are the responses you've received so far.  I'm self employed which I love (despite the quiet days) so will refrain from answering your question.

However, I pose you another - you told us what your job was, what your company was, BUT what do you actually do there?  You haven't told us and some jobs have a lot more/lot less responsiblities/duties in them.

It does sound possibly like you're not being stretched sufficiently.  Whether that means you need to find that in your current role, or find a new role, within your current company or somewhere new, that will stretch and satisfy you.

If you are truly involved in everything that's going on within your company/department, you should be feeling satisfied or challenged - if you view it as humdrum, it's time to move on and find something new to do...

Jackie
www.iqps.org
DeskDemon Forum Board Staff

[superninjaadmin]

Hi and welcome to DeskDemon!

I've held a variety of administrative jobs over the past 22 years, and I really enjoy what I do.  I have read everyone's responses so far, and agree with all of them - especially Jackie's point about needing to stretch your job / role / responsibilities so that you are more challenged and satisfied.  

I'm not sure what your employer's culture/attitude is in developing and promoting their admins.  The opportunities may depend on how large or small your employer is.  For example, my employer requires that all the employees, including the admins, have a professional development plan for 5, 10, 15 and 20 years.  This plan is reviewed every year during our evaluations.  Perhaps you should speak with your supervisor about opportunities for growth within your company, then start developing a plan and working toward it - including education and degree programs.  Also, find someone in your company who you can have a mentoring relationship with.  

Get your name and face out there and establish some relationships with coworkers you wouldn't normally deal with on a regular daily basis - for example, get involved by volunteering time in one or two of your company's working committees, pilot programs, etc.  Not to toot my horn, but many times, my name pops up in conversation or I am sought out to help someone or somewhere because I have made myself known, and I have established a reputation of one who can do what's needed.  You might also consider volunteering in your community by representing yourself *and* your employer.  For example, join your local chamber of commece, and do some politicking all over the place, in and out of the office.  Get involved in what interests you, or where you see an opportunity for improving a process.  And, throughout all of this, keep your boss informed of all that you are doing on a regular basis.  A boss who sees someone who is self-motivated and self-directed will more likely give that person opportunities to learn and advance in the company.  And, don't forget about that old saying: "Ask and you shall recieve."  Use it because It does work!   Ask!!!  

And, to answer your last question:  I do love what I do, I am pursuing a career and I do view my role as an admin as a "stepping stone" to a career that I wish to continue on with my current employer through the next 20 years!  I only hope that I can stay here that long!!  

Best wishes for you!  

SNA in Alaska

[mnaeempk]

Hi,

Welcome on board. I like my profession and am not thinking at all for a career  change in the near future. Your question basically is related to job satisfaction which encompasses many elements such as nature of work, work load, stress, salary, rewards, organization, people, boss etc etc. The reason for me taking secretarial profession seriously is great due to the organization and the people I am working for. Moving from an ordinary office secretary, I am now Executive Secretary with provincial chief have access to all the information. But it is true that working on one position results in boredom. This also happened to me when I was office secretary. In the 3rd and last year (on this position), I was ready to resign due to boredom even though I had no other job in hand but luckily at that time I was promoted to Senior secretary and a year later as Executive Secretary. But now here it is a testing time. The only higher secretarial cadre is Sr. Executive Secretary (to country director) which I can get in a year or so but for that I would have to leave my home town


mnaeempk
Naeem in Pakistan

[patphi]

Welcome aboard!

I love being an Administrative Professional.  This is my career and I love it.  Yes, there are times that it gets tedious and/or boring.  But those times pass quickly enough.  As an AP you need to be self-motivated and a self-starter, it is one of the keys to getting over those tedious and boring times.

I have done many things in my life from being a waitress (hash house, fine dining, and cocktail) to being an Executor Auditor for a major corporation.  I have found none of these jobs as satisfying as being an AP.

This is my soapbox.  So long as there are those in the profession who still view it as a stepping stone to bigger and better things, we will continue to have the challenge of our profession being given the recognition and creditability it so deserves.  I feel that all those who have taken a position as a secretary, executive secretary, administrative assistant, or administrative professional and plan on using it as a stepping stone for other positions is doing every one of us who view this as our career a disservice.

So much for my venting.  Thank you for listening.

Pat in Orlando

[spitfire78]

I would be very happy being an administrative professional for the rest of my career.  That said, I am not real happy in the position I am in right now.  I really love part of my job.  However, the other part has grown old for me.  Over the last 5 years or so I have been slowly taking on more and more responsibilities for the part of the job that I like.  I just had a meeting with the business administrator on Friday, and it turns out that she wants me for a job that would be completely and totally the "good" part of the job!  I am so excited.  Of course, there is no money for this job right now, so I have to stay where I am for the moment.  But at least I know that her goals for me and my goals for myself are the same, and as soon as there is money in the budget, I am hopeful that I will get what I want.

Even if I get this new job I will still be an administrative professional, which is what I probably always will be and at this point will always want to be.

Hope this makes sense - it's been a bugger of a morning and I'm not sure my brain cells and my fingers are connecting!

[bethanial]

My answer would be yes and no . .. I love my boss, I'm happy with the work I do as it's varied in nature.  Since I work for a small business, it's safe to say that I AM the office -- A/P, A/R, HR, phone answerer, copy girl, fax operator, etc.

However, as the mother of a wonderful 14-month old boy, it is my greatest desire to change my job description to stay-at-home mom.  I've taken on a "part-time" job in direct sales in addition to this job in hopes to get our debt taken care of.  Once that's occured, hubby and I should be able to live on just one income.  So I guess that's where I'm at right now.

Deskdemon Forum Board Staff

[derekdhammaloka]

I am happy to be an Administrative Professional.  I have been an associate member of the Institute of Qualified Private Secretaries since February 2002.  It is a fun institution, with networking, conferences and parties.  I may go to a Christmas Party at Wolverhampton Racecourse.  I have enjoyed the National Conference in October 2002, with Gala Dinner, Free Goody Bags and a photo session.

I am happy with IQPS.  I am currently seeking to set up a small business (mainly computing, although I may do some Audio/Shorthand Transcriptions).

If the business does not materialise, I may do a course in Software Development at Lambeth College.  But, I will still enjoy IQPS with exhibitions, networking, parties, etc.

Derek

[countrigal]

I'll step out and say that I love being an Administrative Professional but see it only as a stepping stone in my career and not the entirety of my career.  My goal is to become a Director/Associate Director for a facility like the one I work in before I retire (in 24+ years).  To be honest, I'm technically not in an Admin position anymore at my current facility, but because of some of the duties and support that I provide I still see myself fulfilling some of the role of an Admin and don't regret it at all.  I feel that my time as an Admin is put to good use, because where else in the company can you learn as much about as many of the responsibilities and duties of the company as a whole?  Managers are too busy dealing with their corner to see much more of the company, but the admin deals with folks the manager doesnt' have time to while fulfilling their role of support and therefore can know more about the company as a whole than the managers.  Working up from this level I feel gives a person perspectives they would not other wise have and can make them better managers, potentially.  I'm taking my time, learning all that I can, so that when I get the opportunity to be a manager or be in that type of position, I'm ready for it with as much knowledge at my fingertips as possible.

CountriGal
Deskdemon Editorial Board Member

[execsec]

I've been an administrative professional now for 29 years. I've had 3 jobs that I have dearly loved and loved the people I worked with.  I've had other jobs that I was so bored I thought I would die.  I know I am suited for this type of work. I have previously owned my own secretarial service (before VA's were popular), am president of my IAAP chapter; hold the CPS/CAP certification,  and I have SECRTRY on my car tag.At my present job, I'm not treated as an Admin Pro but as a clerical person who answers the phone, orders catering, and makes travel reservations. In other words I don't have to use my brain!!!!!  But for now, the hours, flexibility, salary, and proximity to my home are what's keeping me here.  My dream job used  to be to work in a foreign country or be a personal assistant to a celebrity. Alas, I have children and a husband, so I don't think this is going to happen in this lifetime.  It's crossed my mind lately to check into another line of work. Maybe one day I will........