April 21, 2010

Administrative Professionals Week


Working in an office environment is great. There is fresh brewed coffee in the break room, your calls get transferred directly to your desk, your mail gets sent out promptly by simply dropping it in the Outgoing box, and you always have fresh pens and notepads at your disposal. It’s like magic. These little cohesive consistencies are what can keep each day from completely going up in flames, when chaos has engulfed everything else.

But it’s not magic. Well, it’s not wand-waving, spell enchanting magic, but it’s definitely something special. And it doesn’t just materialize on it’s own. There are a lot of hardworking individuals who are behind these seemingly simple tasks. But there is nothing simple, or easy, about being an administrative assistant. They, for lack of a better expression, are the glue, well for fun, let’s call them the super glue, that keeps an office and an office environment efficient.

This year, Aprils 18th to April 24th marks the National Administrative Professionals Appreciation Week, with Administrative Professionals Day landing on April 21st. Though you should always appreciate the hard work of your colleagues, especially your admins, this week is especially set aside for you to outwardly express your admiration and gratitude towards them for what they do.

Formally known as Professional Secretaries Week, before America got all politically correct in 2000 and updated the name/title, this evolving holiday was first created back in 1952 through the work of Harry F. Klemfuss, a New York publicist. He wanted to encourage more people, especially women, to consider careers in the secretarial field.

Fast-forward half a century, through civil rights and the bra burning years, the role of secretary as well as the gender has changed drastically. Administrative professionals are no longer Aquanet wearing, note-taking women, but serious business professionals. In fact, some prominent executive administrators are some of the highest paid people in corporate America. And they aren’t all women. Can we say Mark from Ugly Betty?

But whatever role they play in your particular office environment, they are the smile that greets you at the door and the ‘Have a nice day!’, as you leave. They are your organizational outlook and your personal reminder. They make your job easier.

So show your appreciation this week for one of largest workplace observances in any way you can. Flowers, candies, gift cards, etc. … and who doesn’t like to be taken out to lunch?? I’m just saying …

How do you plan to thank your administrative professionals? Leave your thoughts below.

Contributed by: Keri Lynch

4 Comments

  1. Avelyn   April 21, 2010 9:12 am / Reply

    It’s true Keri, everyone loves to be taken out to lunch. I hear that some restaurants are even having deals for the often overlooked Administrative Professional’s Day! So I recommend checking out local restaurants around the area.

  2. Tara   April 21, 2010 9:36 am / Reply

    Ohh I love Mark from Ugly Betty! Seriously, thanks for writing this. I would have totally forgotten! Off to CVS for a candy run ; )

  3. Lauren   April 21, 2010 3:55 pm / Reply

    I think my life would improve ten fold if Mark from Ugly Betty was my assistant, but either way there is no way I would remember where I am going or who I am supposed to be calling back every day without the help of our admin. Total life savers these folks!

  4. mitch   April 21, 2010 4:59 pm / Reply

    I feel as though it’s people like our administrative assistants that helps us get through the tough days. I am not sure what they are putting in their coffee, but the ones in our office are always in a great mood even when I am not. That is something that you have to value, especially when we are living through the hardships of today’s economy. The free candy that is always on their desk can help a brother out when he is trying to cut lunch out to free up the budget!

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