Moving Up or Content Where You Are?

[mlm668]

I have only recently discovered this board and first off I want to say thanks to everyone for just being here to bounce ideas off of and give their opinion.  When I first discovered this board, I was going through a dilemma about whether to look for a new job or stay put.  Because of the small workload I have right now, my self-confidence was rapidly diminishing.  Reading all of the different articles and posts on this site has helped me to regain some of my self-confidence in my skills and abilities.  



Now I am wondering just how many other admins out there are like me.  I love being a "secretary".  I am not interested in becoming management and rather like working behind the scenes.  I have no problems with those who use this job as a stepping stone because I realize that not everyone is cut out to do this type of work day in and day out for year after year.  I am going back to school because I want to improve myself, my knowledge level and skills so I can do better at the job I have now and I am going to obtain my CPS for me.  The fact that it may improve job prospects in the future is only an advantage.  I am doing this to prove to myself I can.



I would love to hear from others who are happy being "just a secretary", but feel that we do deserve to be recognized (in person and in our paychecks) for the effort and time we put into our work.  And from anyone who has any ideas on how to eliminate the stigma of being "just the secretary" from this line of work.  We aren't ashamed of what we are or do, so why should we be treated as less when we are the ones who know "everything" that is going on and who management really can't live without.  

[winkiebear]

MLM - welcome to the Admin Authority!  And thanks for a great, thought-provoking thread this morning!



I am one of the people who knew that I would not stay in the Admin field forever.  Although I am good at it, I don't have the patience to be the Power Behind The Throne.  Because that's what Admins are, in my opinion.  Let's face it - we've all had the boss who couldn't wipe his nose without our help!  I've come to realize that it's not a "just a secretary" thing - it's an "I'm more than your secretary, I'm your assistant" mindset.  I know many women who love their jobs as Assistants, and who kick butt and take names!  



By starting my working career as an Admin, I've discovered how not to treat a person.  I also know that when the time comes, any Assistant that I work with will show me a thing or two.  



So basically, I've learned to not underestimate people.



 winkie

[kiki090963]

Hi, MLM,

greetings from Germany and thank you for sharing your thoughts ! I know exactly what you're talking about and on the German admin board where I do post and read we often discuss this matter !

Basically I also like my job very much because I'm good in organising and I like to be the center of information and I get a goog feeling from helping my boss to do his job by preparing things as good as possible - BUT it got clear to me that this also needs a boss (and co-workers) who are ready to accept my job as it is and thereby also see the necessity of it...Often just that is the problem and when it comes down to it I often would have liked to do something else, something  

[juspeachy]

Great topic!



I used to have aspirations of moving into a different field, but with only 10 years or so until I'm eligible to retire, I don't think it will happen.  



I took business courses (typing, accounting, shorthand, etc.) in high school on my dad's recommendation and have worked in some type of admin job for most of my working years.  I even spent four years in the Navy and most of that was behind a desk somewhere.



Anyway, currently my job title is Secretary (O/A/Steno).  It will be changed soon to Program Assistant.  I'm not sure if "steno" will remain part of the job title.  I never use my shorthand and have lost most of it, so it really doesn't matter much at this point.  Management's justification for the name change is to "more accurately portray" my job skills.  



I never thought of myself as "just a secretary."  Plus, I've been lucky to have worked for bosses who always made me feel appreciated and important.  They never refered to me as "just the secretary," but made me feel as if they couldn't accomplish their job without me.  



Since I don't expect to "change" job fields, the only thing I can hope to do is to be promoted to the General's Secretary when she retires.  I hope to take the CPS exam some day and hope that will help me in future promotions.  



JusPeachy in GA

[gennysmom]

I have been asked quite a few times by people I work with why I don't move on to the next level (whatever they may perceive that to be for me).  I always tell them the same thing - I love being in Administration.  I have everything I could ask for in my position.  I have the flexibility to try new things.  I am able to pitch in where needed.  I am able to speak for my boss when needed.  I have the voice of my boss, without the back-breaking responsibilities that go with his job.  I have a group of people who can count on me and have the faith that I can do just what they need me to do.



I don't begrudge people who want to move on to bigger and better things than being an Admin.  But for me, this is my bigger and better thing.  It's not settling for being an Admin, it's working up to being THE ADMIN .  For me, that is success in my career.  

[kknisley]

I, too, am proud and happy to be a secretary or administrative assistant.  Love it and not ashamed of it.  It still bugs me that IAAP changed the name to Administrative Professional.  



I've been asked many times over the 25+ years I've been a secretary why I don't move into management.  Why would I?  Money's not that great when you figure that most executives work 60-80 per week either traveling or bringing work home.  Stress is high.  Divorce is high.  No thank you.



I remember one time when a couple of execs in the office were making fun of the secretaries, calling us the "office dummies" because we didn't have a college degree (yet these people could not spell or punctuate).  Boss heard them and came flying out and called them in her office.  I can still hear her screaming at them.  They forgot she was once a secretary before moving up the ranks to deputy director and their boss.  



I agree that all execs should at one time be an admin.    I once taught an intern how to make copies, type, answer the phones, collate, etc. when he wasn't working on other projects.  You name it, he did it.  He asked me once why I kept assigning him to do such mundante projects.  My reply was, "So you will learn to appreciate and respect your secretary once day."  A few years ago I ran into him and he told me that he has never, ever forgotten what I said and treats his secretary like gold.

[chris68]

I'd have to say I am happy being a Secretary only because it is basically what I went to school for and I found a position that I can be happy and good at.  I've been here at the same place for four years now, so must be doing something right   , and it's the longest I have stayed anywhere.          



I worked at a variety of companies as Receptionist for many years and finally got the chance at doing Secretarial work, which is what I had initially trained for and I think that the Reception workload is much much more and more stressful in some cases than the Secretary role, at least here I find it is.



I don't think I would want to move up for a while, at least to get my training and time here for a few more years (boss keeps threatening he wants to retire in a few years, and I always say NO--like I have any say in the matter).  But I do like the company I work for and the people I work with, and if you can say that, then you have alot more going for you than many many people out there who may or may not be in their field and enjoy what they do.



Eventually I would like to continue on for my Bachelors Degree at some point, I'm not in any kind of rush for that right now, cause I am just happy to be where I am at and working with the people I work with.



Enjoying every minute of being a "Secretary."



Chris68

[ozbound]

Life is what happens while you're waiting for other things! Is that how the saying goes? I love my job, but there's really no room to move up here (unless I want to be Office Manager someday, which I do not!) I don't really think of myself as "just a secretary" - my title is Word Processor, which is a bit more specialized. I like that. Meanwhile I'm working on a music career and who knows what direction that will go or when it'll really take off? I could be at this job for another six months or another five years.  In which case it is not a bad place to be--after all, when you've been here 10 years they give you $3,000 and an extra week off for a vacation!    

[Katie G]

My case is a little different.  We're unionized here and as such, we have very strict guideline regarding what we "can" and "can't" do.  (I bend the rules a lot, though...sssssh! ) You also can't get a raise until everybody gets a raise.   The only way to OFFICIALLY get any kind of growth is to "move up" to what's called "administrative" (as opposed to "secretarial") positions here.  I would like to get into a position where I can some decision making authority.  I would think that jobs in this field are a lot less frustrating when you can make some decisions on your own instead of going through 5 layers of "mother may I?". (I had a suggestion for improving the lunch coverage schedule and we ended up having to have an OFFICIAL MEETING with the department head and the office manager over it!)  I'd really like to get away from that nonsense and be freed up to actually DO my job.  

[officewiz]

I am an executive assistant but think of myself as a secretary. The use of the term secretary has no negative connotations for me.  I thorougly enjoy and take great pride in my work and am not seeking to "move up."  I have worked with people who had a low estimation of secretaries.  I found that their opinions were formed by secretaries who did not value their jobs or the work associated with it.  I combated this attitude by holding myself to superior standards.  Those standards paid off monetarily and professionally. This, I believe, is the best approach; it will be an asset to you whether you choose to move on or remain in this field.

[nici]

Hi MLM



Greetings form sunny Germany

I love to be "just the secretary", even if I know that the secretary-job is much more than typing letters or answering the phone. Unfortunatly there are a lot of people in my surroundings who think that secretary is not a proper job.

But I love it, and I'd like to stay here. In my case, I'm alone in the office, so there is a large scope for development for me.

Of course I take part on courses like business English or business economics to improve my skills.

Don't know what the future brings, but right know I'm really happy to be an admin.

 

[barbri]

I love what I do and the school I work for. I started in this field as a part-time receptionist. I moved up to different positions in the same company and on to other companies, always in the administrative area but usually at a higher level with more responsibility. I'm currently administrative assistant to the principal/administrator here. I find that I personally like to have some decision-making authority, but appreciate being able to leave work at work when I go home. I have supervised a clerical staff and really didn't like it. I'm just not the "boss" type.



I do feel that an administrative position can be a good stepping stone for someone interested in moving into other areas of business. One of the bank vice presidents I worked with had started as a part-time secretary. She knew what she wanted and was willing to work hard and advance her education to get it. More power to her and those like her! Unfortunately, it's just as common to get "trapped" and stereotyped as "just a secretary", which can make it very hard to move up if that's your ambition.



I think it's important to realize that being content in the field and hoping and working for something different are both valid viewpoints. This isn't a situation where there is only one right or wrong, but one where right or wrong really do depend on the person. If you're like me and are happy doing this type of work - congratulations! If you're are someone looking for advancement - give it your all and good luck!



Barb