I want to know about career aspirations in the field of administrative & clerical support.

:)
Regards,
Azie

Well, some of the qualifications are that you must be very good in spoken and written English, like lots of detail, be organized, and be a self-starter. You can work in non-profits, corporations, church or school offices, any kind of library, colleges or universities, banks, funeral homes, hospitals, nursing homes--in other words, just about anywhere.

I would think that what you would aspire to do might be tailored around some things that you will find in the following job description for a position like that.

The job description is from job descriptions (http://www.iaap-hq.org/researchtrends/JobDescriptions.htm)



Job Description
Professional Secretary/Executive Assistant/Administrative Assistant
Priorities

Relieve management of administrative detail, all projects
Coordinate work flow
Update and chase delegated tasks to ensure progress to deadlines
Take initiative in manager’s absence
Keep projects on schedule
Maintain procedures manual to ensure consistent performance of routinesCommunication

Compose correspondence/reports for own or manager’s signature
Arrange essential mail in priority action order for boss
Check deadlines on incoming requests and put preliminary work in play
Process replies on own initiative or from bosses’ dictation or notes
Research, draft or abstract reportsPhone

Handle all inquiries within my capacity
Arrange "callbacks" to protect boss’s time
Provide back-up materials for callbacks
Route calls elsewhere as needed
Do phone surveys/inquiries as neededAppointments/Meetings

Maintain calendar; ascertain which events require boss’s presence
Fix commitments to maximize boss’s time efficiency; Allow decision/desk time
When boss chairs meetings: -Prepare agenda in advance
-Arrange meeting facilities
-Act as recording secretary; prepare action minutes
Confidentiality

Perform to earn boss’s full confidence
Assure discreet handling of all businessVisitors

Screen to control interruptions
Provide back-up data as needed
Arrange amenities as needed
As arranged, "rescue" boss from laggards
Schedule visits away from boss’s area to protect priority/private tasksTravel

Arrange travel through internal or outside agents
Arrange travel cash in advance
Prepare itinerary, trip file and supplies
Prepare expense report tools for boss
Complete expense reports after tripData Management

Improve/tighten storage/retrieval systems
Update and manage indexRoutines

Update secretarial/clerical desk manual
Set up "tickler" system
Set up "exception reporting" system to handle routines without supervision
Routinely re-order department supplies
Update mail/phone directories
Make these available to traineesProjects

Handle administrative detail, all projects
Seek greater role in projects within administrative and other areas of competence
Seek training on projects outside my rangeSupervision

As required, recruit, hire, train and supervise part-time or full-time, paid, or unpaid/volunteer secretarial or clerical staffAt the advanced levels, office administration is about METHODS for handling work; it requires a constant audit of the way a company does things, and willingness to rock the boat for greater economy and efficiency in getting work done. Here are some typical tasks:

Study and review company or department procedures
Recommend management action to improve standard operating procedures. Present comparisons on costs, risks, and benefits
Develop and test new procedures
Take part in any administrative meetings to assure secretarial follow-through
Take initiative on requests and inquiries of administrative nature, especially when bosses’ specialty is not administrative
Prepare and control administrative budgetsSome Administrative Assistants perform only the duties listed above. Others perform them along with their secretarial duties. Still others specialize in Finance, Marketing, Personnel, or Engineering, for example, and their title should clearly express their special area of concentration.
The more clearly your title informs callers and correspondents about what you actually DO and CAN DO for your team, the better.
Source: International Association of Administrative Professionals (IAAP)