For more than six decades, businesses across the country have celebrated the efforts of Administrative Professionals. Beginning in 1952 with what was once called National Secretaries Week.
The day serves as a time to thank the people who provide the layered support and coordination that make businesses successful. It also is a time to reflect on the changes in the profession, changes in attitudes in the workplace, and to celebrate the individual achievements of the Administrative Professional(s) in your office.
In 1952 many of the people in support roles where women. But as women worked towards equality in the workplace, there were calls for women to receive more credit and recognition for their work. As recognition of their contributions increased, so did opportunities to develop their skill set and their role. Today, men and women both commonly function as both support staff and executives and the scope of work performed by admins has expanded greatly.
Office automation, computers, and telecommuting changed and continue to develop the landscape for today’s assistant. While many workers feared technology developments would make them obsolete, these developments created new opportunities for expertise. In the eighties, offices witnessed great advances in automated office equipment (fax machines and word processors); the nineties brought about changes in how we share information (the advent of the internet); and the 2000’s forward have changed the ways we connect to businesses and each other (advances in telecommunications). Today’s support staff can be involved in tasks as traditional as sorting mail and as current as managing company social media accounts.
If you are looking for an administrative professional job, you have a wide range of positions to choose from. Areas of responsibility and titles in this field include clerk, office assistant, office manager, customer service representative, data entry, scheduler, biller, and receptionist. Common requirements for these types of roles include strong communication and customer service skills, familiarity with common office software, flexibility, and the ability to multi-task. Some industries, such as healthcare have niche opportunities for specialized knowledge (such as medical billing and medical scheduling).
Training for a role as an administrative professional can include office software classes, bookkeeping courses, and customer service training. Education requirements usually include a high school diploma or GED, but can include additional school and training depending upon the specific role.
As with any professional’s day, recognition can be as simple as a small gift, a lunch out, or a more formal presentation or show of appreciation from a full team. Administrative Professionals Day is celebrated on April 27, 2016. Mark your calendar and remember to say “thanks.” To make your thanks more meaningful, relate a specific way or ways that the recipient’s work has impacted you and others. Also remember to thank the customer service and administrative professionals you encounter at the businesses you frequent.