Great positive article featuring Patsy Pruett and Robin Cochran from the IAAP Spartanburg Chapter in South Carolina. Fantastic testimonial on the value of being a member of IAAP!

04/21/2004
Spartanburg Herald-Journal

Celebrating assistants
Byline: AMANDA RIDLEY, business writer

When Patsy Pruett went back to work 17 years ago, it was supposed to be only for a year so she could save some money for her children's college education.

But the satisfaction she received from working as an executive assistant at White Oak Manor Inc. kept her coming back.

And while her role in the company has changed significantly over the years, Pruett said her devotion is still just as strong.

Pruett and administrative professionals all over the world will be recognized for their dedication today with Administrative Professionals Day, which celebrates the increasing professional contributions of administrative support staff in the workplace.

"A lot has changed over the years, even myself," said Pruett, who is a certified professional secretary (CPS).

Some of those changes include advances in technology, which Pruett said has opened opportunities for more responsibility for administrative staff.

"You almost have to be at the forefront of a company's learning curve for new software," she said.

And to keep abreast of changing times, Pruett is actively involved in the International Association of Administrative Professionals, which sponsors monthly meetings, networking opportunities and training seminars for members.

Pruett has held every position from secretary to president of the association's Spartanburg chapter, as well as president of the state chapter. And she's also received Secretary of the Year in both chapters and the district president award.

"Everything I've learned from the association are skills that I've been able to bring back to them," she said. "I've also been able to bring those skills back to (White Oak Manor) to
benefit the business."

And her employers are grateful.

"What I hired Patsy for is not what she's doing today. Her role here goes far beyond the role of a secretary," said John Barber, White Oak's chief financial officer.

The same is true in offices across the country where administrative professionals play a vital role in facilitating the flow of information and communications in today's workplace, as well as serve as key frontline public relations ambassadors for managers and the organization.

"We are an integral part of the departments we work in," said Robin Cochran, CPS, who works as an administrative assistant for Henry Giles, Spartanburg Technical College's executive vice president.

Cochran, vice president of the IAAP's Spartanburg chapter, said -- like the more than 4 million administrative assistants worldwide --she's completely content with her career choice.

"I don't want my boss' job. I take pride in what I do as an administrative assistant," she said.

SIDEBAR
Helping Administrative Assistants
Here are some suggestions on building effective working relationships with administrative support staff.
* Delegate for results. Let your administrative assistant know what you need done, and let him or her figure out how to do it.
* Think of you and your administrative assistant as a team and act accordingly.
* Let your colleagues know that your administrative assistant speaks and acts for you.
* Offer training for your administrative assistant to achieve the level at which he or she contributes.
* Listen. Your administrative assistant may have a better feel for the pulse of your workplace than you.
* Communicate. Be sure your instructions are clear and precise and take an opportunity each day to review tasks and needs with your administrative assistant.
* Show your administrative assistant your appreciation for a job well done.
* Give your administrative assistant sufficient authority to fulfill his or her responsibilities.

Source: International Association of Administrative Professionals


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Note: One photo accompanied this story. Photo credit: Chris Winston/Staff