When I decided to venture out into the workforce after my children started high school, I relied on job skills that I was comfortable with. I had worked as a secretary for an insurance company and advertising agency and a law firm while in college. With great typing, shorthand (a little rusty) and office skills, I quickly landed an Administrative Assistant position for a Real Estate Investment Company. This first job was a great place to practice and improve my skills, and I took advantage of every opportunity to learn new skills, equipment and office practices.
Using what I learned on that job, plus a good work record for two years, I was able to move up to a better position with a government agency. I landed an administrative position with The National Bureau of Standards in Gaithersburg, Maryland, and soon became aware of the great opportunities the government had to offer. They were introducing a new computer system, and I was sent for training for two weeks at their training facility in Washington, DC. They also offered college-credit courses at the worksite, so I was able to continue my education after work without leaving the building. I took computer programming, a new field in those days, and was able to add that to my resume along with other management and communications classes.
Now that I had four years of solid work experience and several new entries on my resume, I applied for a job at Marriott’s International Headquarters in Bethesda, Maryland and landed a job as an Executive Administrative Assistant to the Vice President of one of their divisions. A great salary, prestige, and a whole host of great benefits came with that job. I was able to finish my college degree with Marriott reimbursing my tuition. I was trained in Total Quality Management, a new management process at the time, that later became the basis for my consulting business. My training experience gave me opportunity to conduct training seminars and gain exposure across Marriott’s many divisions and organizations. Always adding each new experience and accomplishment to my resume, I was able to land my first management position, even though I hadn’t completed my degree at the time.
Administrative Assistant positions afford many opportunities, as long as you are aware of the opportunities and how you can leverage them to move up the ladder. You may need to change jobs or companies, but taking advantage of what a job has to offer can be just what you need to make you eligible for the next level. Admin Assistants have wide exposure to all levels of an organization and the opportunity to make a lasting impression that can make you memorable when there is an open position. Learn to leverage your position into opportunities for success.
Mary Nestor-Harper, SPHR, is a consultant, blogger, motivational speaker and freelance writer for Administrativejobs.com. Based in Savannah, GA, her work has appeared in Training magazine, Training & Development magazine, Supervision, BiS Magazine and The Savannah Morning News. When she’s not writing, she enjoys singing Alto II with the Savannah Philharmonic Chorus and helping clients discover what they love and spend their life on it. You can read more of her blogs at administrativejobsblog.com and view additional job postings on Nexxt.
Using what I learned on that job, plus a good work record for two years, I was able to move up to a better position with a government agency. I landed an administrative position with The National Bureau of Standards in Gaithersburg, Maryland, and soon became aware of the great opportunities the government had to offer. They were introducing a new computer system, and I was sent for training for two weeks at their training facility in Washington, DC. They also offered college-credit courses at the worksite, so I was able to continue my education after work without leaving the building. I took computer programming, a new field in those days, and was able to add that to my resume along with other management and communications classes.
Now that I had four years of solid work experience and several new entries on my resume, I applied for a job at Marriott’s International Headquarters in Bethesda, Maryland and landed a job as an Executive Administrative Assistant to the Vice President of one of their divisions. A great salary, prestige, and a whole host of great benefits came with that job. I was able to finish my college degree with Marriott reimbursing my tuition. I was trained in Total Quality Management, a new management process at the time, that later became the basis for my consulting business. My training experience gave me opportunity to conduct training seminars and gain exposure across Marriott’s many divisions and organizations. Always adding each new experience and accomplishment to my resume, I was able to land my first management position, even though I hadn’t completed my degree at the time.
Administrative Assistant positions afford many opportunities, as long as you are aware of the opportunities and how you can leverage them to move up the ladder. You may need to change jobs or companies, but taking advantage of what a job has to offer can be just what you need to make you eligible for the next level. Admin Assistants have wide exposure to all levels of an organization and the opportunity to make a lasting impression that can make you memorable when there is an open position. Learn to leverage your position into opportunities for success.
Mary Nestor-Harper, SPHR, is a consultant, blogger, motivational speaker and freelance writer for Administrativejobs.com. Based in Savannah, GA, her work has appeared in Training magazine, Training & Development magazine, Supervision, BiS Magazine and The Savannah Morning News. When she’s not writing, she enjoys singing Alto II with the Savannah Philharmonic Chorus and helping clients discover what they love and spend their life on it. You can read more of her blogs at administrativejobsblog.com and view additional job postings on Nexxt.
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