A. Glad to hear that you are taking inventory of your skills and brushing up on the areas that need some updating. Here are a few suggestions and some questions you’ll need to answer yourself before you begin your educational pursuits:

• Analyze why you are now doing this inventory. Are there things you can't do on the job now...as demands have increased or as tasks are moving more toward being done electronically? Did your exec point out some areas that need development in your last review? Are you seeing others in the company getting recognition for skills you don't have? That's the place to start.
• Where do you want to go with your career? Do you want to remain in the administrative field? Do you want to move into management? Would you like to specialize—such as focusing on HR or working with exclusively with desktop publishing? Depending on where you see yourself in three years, the skills you need may be very different, and therefore where you go to get them may change...as well as how long it will take.
• What are you good at? What do you enjoy? It's best if you can build on the talents you have, not force yourself to learn/do things you aren't really naturally good at or prefer to do (ask yourself "if I had the choice"...then remember that you do!).
• How much are you willing to invest in your future? If you move into technical areas, you'll constantly have to learn new skills and upgrade old ones. You'll never feel totally secure with your skill base since technology will continue to change at a rapid pace and you'll have to keep up or lose out. You'll also be working with (and taking instructions from) younger people. Ask yourself, "Is that a problem?"
• If you want to move up to management, you're almost guaranteed to work more hours and be more on the firing line. At that level, you are held responsible for the mistakes of everyone who reports to you. Is that a problem?
• Some skills/positions require long-term commitment (like a college degree or college courses of a semester or more). Others can be learned in a one-day seminar with determination to apply them back on the job. Some skills can be learned over the Internet on your own time, but require lots of discipline (many people start these courses but never finish them...they are like the old "correspondence courses" but more immediate). What's your time frame for developing these skills? Do you need them this month or can you add to them gradually, over the year?
• How do you learn best? Some people like face-to-face classes where they can interact with a "live" instructor and other learners. Some people can purchase a user manual or how-to-book, sit down and wade through it—and like doing it all themselves (it builds confidence, so the writers say—if you can pull it off—if not, it can destroy your self confidence).
• Do you like immediate feedback and individualization? Then maybe an online training program or CD-ROM tutorial would be perfect for you. Or do you learn best by watching someone, then trying the task yourself? (Sort of like having a private tutor that can tailor the info especially for your job/company.)
• Look first within your company. Is there anyone on site that can teach you what you need to learn? Is there a training department? Are there mentors? What about "clubs" or informal networks (like of techies or particular software users)?
• Ask other people who have the skills you want how they got them. They might be able to recommend a person, a tutorial, or a class that would work well.
• Get on the mailing list for local community colleges and voc tech schools. Each semester (or course period) see what is being offered and select the ones you could benefit from the most. Then sign up! Get on the mailing list of public seminar companies, like CareerTrack, National Seminars, etc. Find out the skills that are being most valued by employers (and ones they are willing to pay for).
• Read your local newspaper and specialty (usually free) newsletters that are available in your community. Look for user groups (to keep up your computer skills), support groups, library discussion groups, etc. It's a great way to meet new people whose interests are similar to your own. You may feel freer with people outside the company when you are talking about problems or asking how to get things done. But DON'T EVER bad-mouth your company to the public. It will get back - assuredly.
• Keep abreast of everything that IAAP can offer you. The IAAP Web site (www.iaap-hq.org) can provide you with educational events, seminars, and products that have been reviewed and developed especially for someone in an admin position. Even if you have to pay to get/attend them, it's a good investment. And after you show what you've learned on the job, most employers will support you at later dates.  Options include online training through Element K and Associate Degree Program/Online Training Courses through MATC.
• Look at certification programs. The Certified Professional Secretary (CPS) and Certified Administrative Professional (CAP) Exams will give you an excellent foundation in management and administrative skills. In addition, the Microsoft Office Specialist (MOS) certification will verify what you can do (and at what level of proficiency) with Microsoft Office programs. In many cases, certifications are as good as a degree and better than a seminar certificate.
• Of course, actively participate in a professional network, like IAAP (and there are other good ones too) so you'll be on top of the skills you need to get ahead and will have a caring support system to see you through to your goals.
• OfficePRO magazine and other publications can keep you up on the latest news and developments. They put you in the driver's seat...and more in charge of your own career.

There are many ways to go, depending on your needs, goals, time, money, and energy. But ANY additional learning will put you ahead. Good luck!

—IAAP Education & Professional Development Department