Admin Assistants - Do you like your job?

Question

I'm tired of being the gopher. I hate someone asking me to fax something, or mail something, or scan something. Its just boring now and very unfulfilling. I know I can do other things if given the chance, and with proper training. I understand that they are paying me to do these menial tasks, but it just feels like, they're saying, "...because I AM above it". It's really the only type of work I've done and I haven't had any luck with anyone giving me the chance to do anything else because of lack of experience. I HATE IT!!!!!!!!!!!! I hit snooze every morning at least 5 times. I'm tired of being treated as if I'm stupid, and people making condescending remarks to me. Whenever I ask my boss a question, he always responds like, "duh, well of course", like I'm supposed to just know what he means or know what the answer is. I dread every task now, and I've only been here 5 months.

Anyone have the same experiences, or something similar?

Answer 1

Your feelings are very valid, and your boss has no right (between us and the wall) to talk to you in such a condescending, belittling way.  Perhaps you can look for another job, if even applying at a few temp agencies.  The job environment can have a lot to do with how we feel at our places of employment.

General career info:  http://www.bls.gov/oco and can search 'administrative assistants and secretaries' or such.

If deciding to get more training, please forgo those private $$ schools and instead opt for the county vo-tech school or community college (perhaps non-credit course).

Please steer clear of those online, for-profit schools such as penn foster, us career, stratford career, university of phoenix, capella and others:  http://www.capellauniversitysucks.us

http://www.ripoffreport.com can can type into search.

Answer 2

i feel the same way... but you need make your situation a little better you can either go back to school to better yourself into a career that is fulfilling and pays better or find you a better job!! Good Luck :-)  

Answer 3

I am thinking of a career in this field but also feel as you do, I will become bored. So I'm undecided at the moment. You should apply for a school district in your area, most likely the pay is worth it and you also have benefits. You can slowly move up the ladder to a position you enjoy.

Answer 4

I'm an admin assistant also. I don't hate my job, but I don't love it either. What you are experiencing is true for anyone in this or any related position such as receptionist or secretary. For some reason everyone in the office automatically assumes that the receptionist, admin assistant, and secretary are brainless idiots.

My story:

During my 1st week on the job one of the managers from HQ came to visit our office one day. When he saw me he interrogated me like I was some sort of criminal. When he finally stopped grilling me I went out to my car to cry for a few min. I had never been treated so horribly at work in my life. I found out later everyone hated him because he was a major ****** to everyone, even the company prez. ...so I was reassured that it wasn't just me.

When I first started everyone around here had me doing their menial tasks, like faxing their paperwork. They all assumed that I was too stupid to be of real assistance, like helping them figure out how to do stuff in MS Office. I cured them of that before the end of my first week by jumping in to help before my boss could. Same thing goes for AutoCAD. After my first week noone questioned my level of computer literacy, especially after my boss ordered a few RAM cards and had me install them.

Answer 5

actually mine is just the opposite.  I am an admin and love it.  My position however required a bachelors degree because I do payroll, budgeting, accounting operations, along with the usual order supplies, fax, phones, and customer support.  In my opinion you shouldnt give up on the admin role until you check out admin positions with other companies.  I have been an admin at other companies where they treated me like I was stupid even though I had more experience and education than most.  Keep looking around until you find a company that will challenge you.  Stick with larger companies, they tend to require more from their admins at least where I live.  Don't give up on your search! Good Luck!  

Answer 6

I am an AA and I love it.  i think depending on the company you work for, an AA can be  a lot more then just a gopher.  I do SOOOO much more than that.  It sounds to me like you would be more like an Office Assistant.  I don't mind when people ask me to fax/file or small tasks.  If you want to pay me to do it... SURE!!! I'll do something that simple for good money!