My career choice as an administrative professional began over twenty years ago, more by necessity than choice. I had left home on my 18th birthday in November 1990 without a business skill to my name - heck I could not even type. I went to school for a half day and worked in an office the other half. Back then colleges primarily offered day classes – in fact one school told me to quit my job, attend class during the day and waitress at night. Having a steady paycheck was of the utmost importance so sadly school was put on the back burner for what I thought would just be a few years. The local community college offered stenography (I regret losing this skill) and typing so I took both at night. I also taught myself the Microsoft suite of products and was blessed to be around some very smart people who were glad to answer my questions and mentor me. My first full-time job was working for a small family owned vending company in their office and I then moved on to a Fortune 500 company a couple years later. I loved being an administrative professional with each day being a challenge and always something new to learn. However, about 18 months after moving to the Fortune 500 company I realized that I was no longer being challenged as I once was and switched to a Human Resources role focusing on recruiting. I spent about 12 years in my HR recruiting role but realized how essential my administrative skills were in being successful - how I organized my emails, did event planning, travel arrangements for candidates, filing and the list goes on. I also realized that my personality didn't fit HR - I hated telling someone that didn't get the job and my personal life ceased to exist. I was laid off twice due to circumstances well beyond my control and decided to relocate from New Jersey to North Carolina. Unfortunately, I could not find an administrative position and accepted another recruiting role. After a personal tragedy (I lost everything I owned in an apartment fire), I relocated in late 2007 to South Carolina and began working as an Executive Assistant to the General Manager/CEO of a rural electric cooperative. I had never heard of the IAAP until I attended a conference in 2008 and stopped by their booth. The CAP was added to my list of career goals alongside a degree and Microsoft Office certification. My supervisor at that time was not supportive of my educational goals so I had to prioritize which to do first. I chose to get my Associates Degree in Administrative Science and began online classes in January 2010. I received my degree in May 2013 and graduated summa cum laude. I also chose to move back to North Carolina in March 2013 and now work for not for profit association supporting six executives in five different departments that enthusiastically support all my professional and educational goals. I completed my MOS certification in Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook and Word in 2016. My professional goal this year is to complete the CAP exam. My degree, MOS certification and hopefully the CAP exam serve several purposes – one it helps me in my day-to-day role as an administrative professional; two it keeps my skills fresh and marketable; three it assists me in helping others within my organization; and lastly it fulfills my desire to be the best administrative professional I can be for myself and those I support. I have shown many people during my 20 plus years as an administrative professional why my role is valuable and how it continually changes – gone are the days of dictation and coffee runs; today’s administrative professional has become a strategic partner to those they support. The IAAP is an invaluable resource for administrative professionals – the educational, networking and certification opportunities all encourage us to be better at what we do. The CAP exam was left as last because to me it is the crown jewel – the final step in a long journey to prove to myself and to others that being an administrative professional can be a rewarding and challenging lifelong career.

Thank you for sharing! Your story is inspiring!

Suzanne - Thank you for sharing your incredible journey! You are an inspiration to many. There are challenges when your employer doesn't support your educational goals, but prioritizing them is key to attaining your goals. Again, thank you for sharing.

Thanks for sharing such an amazing story. You will do great with the CAP exam.

That's definitely an unusual order of achievement, but how fantastic to see you embracing all this knowledge gathering. You've definitely had some ups and downs in your journey and it's a testament to your determination and discipline that you have reached this point.

Now let's go get that crown jewel for you!!!

Marie

Thank you for sharing this inspiring story! I can't wait to hear the successful ending.

Best of luck to you.

Sharon