How to avoid the 'secretary' label
Most companies don't use the word "secretary" anymore - companies have become more creative with terms like "administrative assistant", "client service representative", and my favorite, "project coordinator". I don't care what they call it, it means you're going to be answering calls, setting up meetings, doing paperwork, filing, and copying. If that's you're calling in life - great, we can't live without you. If the sound of doing that the rest of your professional life makes you cring, read on.
You know in college when they chanted the alumni phrase: "Once a [insert mascot here], always a [insert mascot here]." Now insert "secretary" into that blank. I received sound advice from a former employee who told me not to take a secretary job for the company just to get in. Big mistake, she said, because from that time forward everyone thought of her as the go-to person for completing the daily administrative duties regardless of what her job description said. She was even turned down for other jobs because of her perceived limited abilities.
Thankfully to her, I passed over the secretary jobs and waited for the right opportunity to come up. It took me interviewing for 4 positions before I was offered a job as a web specialist. It wasn't my ideal job (who's first job is?), but it was something related to my skills that would teach me a lot and open up more opportunities.
Unfortunately, I still had to fight the label as the secretary of the group. I don't know if it was because I was young, blonde, or sat in a cube outside a conference room, but people would ask me where the manager was, ask me to setup meetings, and assumed that I knew how to fix the copy machine. After feeling a little peeved at first, I would tactfully respond with the name of the actual secretary for the manager and send them on their way.
Luckily, over time, people took the hint, I focused on my real job, and did work above and beyond. Proving that I could handle project management, write well, and think outside the box were key in distinguishing me from any previous perceptions people had about me. My manager was also my champion, and would include me on projects that would give me greater exposure in the company. Now I feel that I have created a good persona for myself and it shows with the promotions and projects that I've been given.
Your first year or two in the company in crucial for developing your persona, and if you do it well you will be rewarded. Do yourself a favor and don't make secretarial duties the main focus of your job - let the real secretary do what he/she does best.
