Recently, after doing some reading, listening to podcasts, and taking a Management course I found that the executive assistant (or equivalent) position is something that piqued my interest. It has structure, clearly defined tasks, and only one person that you answer to - which I like. You're not having to run circles within the business to get an answer either. You aren’t going to accounting to get an answer about shipping. Or shipping to get an answer about payment. Or sales to get an answer about accounting. The executive assistant role is pretty straightforward and yet, also challenging because you have to be really great at communication - something I want to get better at. And you have to work on your interpersonal skills as well as time management. Again, some other skills I'd like to get better at.
Forbes Advisor describes this position as, “An executive assistant helps the executive for whom they work with tasks such as scheduling; reviewing, prioritizing and responding to emails; answering and returning phone calls; organizing documents; maintaining records; taking notes at meetings and any other administrative tasks that help the executive perform their job.” So, you're in charge of helping one person with all of their daily needs, not having to keep up with everyone else in the office. While you may have to work with others - your main priority is the single person you are in charge of helping.
So, this is something I found interesting. It’s a job I would like to learn more about. A job I would like to be good at. And unfortunately, I will not have that opportunity at my current place of employment. I’ve tried to undertake some tasks but it’s hard to do your job when someone else is constantly trying to undermine it or take it on themselves. When you’re being told that you have to take on tasks that are not your responsibility but are “for the good of the team” - which usually just means someone else getting more down time. It’s also hard when the bulk of the workers tend to go to one person rather than going through the proper channels for each department. It can lead to a lot of confusion and chaos. And I have a hard time getting things accomplished in that type of environment. So, instead of being a place I enjoy coming to, it’s become a place that causes me the most stress. And it’s started to affect me physically.
While there are other things outside of work that cause me stress, my job causes me high stress about 3 out of 5 days each week. I’m talking about that overwhelming feeling you get when things are stacked up so high and you can’t balance them all. When you’re the first one to get to work and one of the last to leave, and yet you still haven’t finished the day's tasks. When you’re constantly having to double or triple-check your work because one mistake will cause others to target you. To speak badly about you to everyone in the office. I mean, imagine coming back from vacation only to find out that someone spoke really badly about you and how you do your job. And you weren’t even there to defend yourself? And while your boss did defend you - you still went back to retrace every little step from before you left just to prove what had happened. Otherwise, you'd continue to be bashed. Having to do this on a monthly basis really messes with your confidence and your mental health. It's gotten so bad that I’ve even had to start monitoring my blood pressure because the everyday stress is causing it to spike. As a result, I’ve developed headaches that last for days.
Now, I feel like all of this is something that I can eventually get under control and work through. I'm juggling a lot right now and I feel like once I'm done with school things will get better. Plus, workplaces are bound to have rough moments. You won't always click with your co-workers. Gossip happens. There will be times when you feel unproductive or burnt out. But the biggest issue for me is that I don’t feel like my work matters or that it’s valued. I don’t feel like I’m valued. If I were to put in my notice, no one would blink. There wouldn’t be any offers to ask me to stay. I’d get a handshake, a thank you, and then I'd probably have to publish the ad for my replacement. And I’ve been here 12 years.
So, that’s where I’m at presently. Not actively looking for something different, but trying to figure out what my next steps should be. Trying to figure out what life will look like after next summer. Though I feel like there might be some curves, and/or redirections - I know God will help me get through them. And I’m really looking forward to having my degree. Not sure if I’ll be walking on the stage because - ANXIETY. But I can’t wait to finally have my diploma in hand. I can’t wait to see what doors it will help me open. Whatever comes next, I have a feeling it's going to be great!
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