Copious use of IAAP news releases and resources in series of articles this week provided by Lamar State College-Orange (LSC-O) to the Orange Leader newspaper, Orange TX.

Time is right for career pursuits at LSC-O

Special to The Leader

The time has never been better to become an administrative assistant, executive secretary, information coordinator or any other type of administrative professional. During this annual observance of Administrative Professionals week, it is important to look at the advanced skills needed to excel in today's workplace and to review the new positions that will open in the future.

Because "admins" are taking on new roles in today's offices, the International Association of Administrative Professionals has compiled a list of those advanced skills:

Project manager

Software trainer - especially for executives and new hires

Software adapter -- adapting software to particular company needs

Web site maintenance - updater

Negotiator - with clients and vendors

On-line purchaser

Reviewer/evaluator of furniture and technology equipment -- includes phone systems, copiers, etc., both purchasing and leasing

Coordinator of mass mailings -- includes dealing with the printer and determining the most cost-efficient method

Storing and retrieval of information, along with interconnecting its significance - includes e-info, tapes, videos, paper, multi-formats

Scheduler and maintainer of calendars for self and others - mostly done electronically

Meeting planner - includes negotiating hotel contracts, scheduling catering, preparing for cyber-and video-conferencing

Travel planner - includes on-line research, booking, tracking, preparing the traveler, securing needed info, such as maps, phone numbers, alternatives, emergency numbers, etc.

Desktop publisher - brochures, flyers, annual reports and other things that are sent directly and electronically to the printer, Web design and postings.

Team leader dealing with virtual numbers - from other facilities, traveling execs or with outside business partners

According to the 2004 Office Team Salary Guide, employers are willingly paying more for skills such as desktop publishing and database management. Mid- to upper-level administrative staff salaries now range from $29,000 to $45,000 and up.

The number one skill sought by employers when hiring administrative professionals is computer expertise. Employers are seeking assistants who have mastered word processing, spreadsheet, database, graphics and desktop publishing. The very nature of secretarial work is changing drastically - managers are doing more clerical work, and secretaries are doing more professional work.

The IAAP Web site lists at least 13 new positions that will open for administrative professionals in the future. They include:

Telecommuting

Home-based administrative services businesses

Training for administrative support staff

Information management on the Internet

Personal computer troubleshooter

Creating customized software manuals for organizations, particular to department and/or industry needs

Secretarial/clerical recruiter for temporary/permanent placement agencies

Newsletter editor

Multimedia librarian/coordinator/information abstractor

Video and/or Web conferencing coordinator

Technology coordinator/facilities management

Graphics/desktop publishing coordinator

Support services consultant

With more businesses operating in a global economy, "admins" will have tremendous opportunities to interact with customers and associates from around the world. The winners will be those who master technology, use their interpersonal and communication skills, have the ability to track and organize and be creative in solving problems but - most importantly -- have the willingness to learn and grow and accept challenges.

Editor's Note: This is the fifth of a series of articles for Administrative Professionals Week, Administrative Professionals Day and the corresponding office technology programs currently being offered at Lamar State College-Orange.

Tomorrow: A review of the Office Technology Program at LSC-O.

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