Why Would I Wanna Do That?

Over the years the idea of being a secretary has made people think that the admin role is invisible and often unappreciated. In my years of working as an assistant, I have often felt part of the team, appreciated and respected. In life, if you respect yourself and your position whatever it may be, it makes it harder for people to put you in a position of disrespect without fear of offending you and destroying your professional relationship with them. So now here is why you might want to enter the Administrative Field:

1. JOB PORTABILITY - You can work just about anywhere. In a world of layoffs and relocations, its important to have skills that allow you to work in a variety of settings. I've never been out of a job more than 2 months and part of that was because I was picky about the type of job I wanted. While there are trends in the workplace, just about every type of industry needs someone to manage the staff. In reality that is what we do:, we manage data, people and things ("The copier is broken...") on a daily basis.

2. POSSIBILITIES OF EMPLOYMENT WITH OR WITHOUT A UNIVERSITY DEGREE - I have a H.S.D. - high school diploma. People assume I went to college, but uh, no. And it has never stopped me from getting interviews. Of course, my experiences listed on my resume have put me in the running for certain opportunities, but I still believe I could get my foot in the door even without all my experiences. Education is important, but the TYPE of education out there for administrative professionals is so vague, that many times it is Who You Know and What Skill You Have that makes the difference.

3. YOU GET YOUR FOOT IN THE DOOR - If you are a recent college graduate, this can be a way to get into a company and learn about it without committing to an actual department or industry right away. I've worked with non-profits, major accounting firms, and a oil giant. The experiences at each taught me what I was good at, what I hated, and what I was lousy at. I could easily use that information to determine my next step.

4. A COMFORTABLE LIVING - This is the most important of all. We all have to eat, keep a roof over our heads, etc. An administrative job can do that. The more experience and skill one has, the more comfort you can enjoy within this arena. No, we're not talking millionaire status here, but not many jobs actually offer that, do they? A good salary and benefits are possible if you do the legwork to make it happen by picking the right industry, engage yourself in the right skillset, and do some research for what is "hot" in your geographic location.