The Amazing Staying Power of the American Secretary

The Amazing Staying Power of the American SecretaryThe world is a very different distributions-mix than it was nearly three-quarters of a century ago. From the cars we drive to the way we communicate, the landscape is completely changed. Well, not completely. One thing that remains the saatkorn? According to data from the U.S. Census, the most common job for women was secretary in 1950, and remains so today. Many of these jobs include data entry specialist jobs. Lets take a closer look at this phenomenon.A Look at the NumbersAccording to the U.S. Census Datas most recent American Community Survey Equal Employment Opportunity Tabulation, 3.8 mio women were employed as secretaries and administrative assistants during the 2006-2010 period. This accounts for a whopping 97 percent of the near four million secretaries currently working the U.S., according the Bureau of Labor Statistics.According to further Census data, cashiers claimed the number two spot for working women with 2.8 million women holding cashier positions around the country, while 2.7 million women elementary school and middle school teachers rounded out the top three.This doesnt mean that the job market hasnt changed for women in other ways, however. The Census data reveals significant increases in women veterinarians, physicians and surgeons, and dentists. In other words, while the times in some ways have stayed the same, they are also in the immortal words of Bob Dylan a-changin.The 21st Century SecretaryIn 1950, the Census defined the category as stenographers, typists or secretaries, Today, the category comprises secretaries and administrative assistants. While the nature of the tasks may have evolved, the overall job description remains the same to perform routine clerical and administrative tasks.And despite ongoing predictions that secretaries will be made obsolete by technology, the fact remains that they are an essential part of the American economy. In fact, secretary and administrative p ositions are available in nearly every industry from the financial sector and legal offices to schools, hospitals and the government. Growth is expected to remain consistent with the national average around 12 percent over the next decade or so. A large factor in this growth? The aging out due to retirement of a large portion of the workplace.One of the reasons secretary jobs remain popular is that they dont typically require a college degree, and can be learned on the job over the course of a few weeks or months, depending on the industry. However, as success in the workplace increasingly necessitate the acquisition of technological skills, aspiring secretaries with computer skills in addition to basic office skills will be in greater demand.Secretaries with certain specialized skill sets are also well-positioned for career growth, while others may see less interest in the years ahead. For example, while jobs for medical secretaries are expected to grow by a whopping 36 percent between 2012 and 2022 due to changes in the healthcare system, jobs for legal secretaries are expect to decline due to the rise of paralegals.Another reason secretary and administrative assistant jobs remain popular? Theres plenty of room for growth. While the average median pay is $35,330, it rises as high as $47,500 with top earners making nearly $60,000. Many of these are executive level assistants with advanced training and experience.Looking to join the ranks of secretaries the backbone of many American offices for the past 65 years? If so, basic office, computer, and English grammar schools are required. Many of these skills can be acquired at community colleges and technical schools. Additionally, the International Association of Administrative Professionals Certified Administrative Professional (CAP) certification further demonstrates initiative and competency to potential employers.From The Beverly Hillbillies Miss Hathaway to The Offices Pam Halpert ne Beesley, the Americ an secretary is not only an major part of popular culture, but also of the real world existence of many women and the workplaces which depend on them. Wondering whether a secretary or administrative job is right for you and/or what positions are out there? Visit TheJobNetwork to find a match from hundreds of job sites.

What Is A Management Training Program Is It Right For Me

What Is A Management Training Program Is It Right For MeManagement Training Programs Explained (And Why Theyre The Perfect Way To Start Your Career)We all know the catch-22 of getting your first job You need experience to get a job, but you need a job to get experience.Finding a company thats willing to break the vicious cycle and give you a chance can be hard. Thats why the smartest candidates look for companies that invest in their potential, rather than their resume. Its also why Management Training programs are perfect for grads.We know, though, that just the words training and program can be enough to send you into a spiral of questions. Are management training programs full-time jobs? Are you guaranteed a job after a management training program is over? Do you even get paid?To get the official lowdown on how these programs work and why theyre ideal, we spoke to a veteran of the Management Training program at Enterprise.What Is A Management Training Program?Kelly went through th e Management Training Program at Enterprise.Kelly, who has moved up a couple times at Enterprise, most recently to an Assistant Manager role, can confirm that the Management Training program is a full-time, paid job. However, that doesnt mean the stelle isnt focused on learning, development, andof coursemoving up the ladder ASAP.It is a training program, but theyre teaching you to run your own business, Kelly says. I majored in Business Management, so this was an ideal job where I got to apply everything that I learned in my classes.The program covers everything, from managing branch employees and sales, to working with insurance companies and vendors.Everything you learn you have to apply on the job, Kelly explains. When you look at spreadsheets, youre actually seeing the numbers for your business.Surprisingly, the analytics aspect is often one of her favorite parts of the job You see how well your branch is doing, so you feel invested, because those numbers reflect you.Taking On M anagement ResponsibilitiesWhile Youre Learning About ThemBecause its a training program and Enterprise is a company obsessed with investing in its employees development, youre constantly learningwhether from mentors, formal sessions, or just trial and error.At first, you go to orientation where you go over the different ordnungsprinzips that we use. Then you shadow people and get a gist of what the business is like, she says. Enterprise is very, very thorough. They give you all the resources you need from the very beginning, and when you go back to your branch, you start applying everything youve learned, Kelly says.So what do you actually do?When you return to the branch, its real responsibilities, right away. Youll assist with managing the branch, work with customers, build business-to-business relationships, and track performance metrics. But theres no reason to be overwhelmed.You have support from your manager and employees who have been around longer, Kelly adds. The kollektiv isnt just dedicated to the success of the business theyre dedicated to the success of each other.Moving Up The Ladder, TogetherTheyre training you to run a business by yourself, but youre never alone, says Kelly.You get one-on-one training with your manager, so they can see how well youre doing compared to your peers and develop you to make sure you can complete the goal to run your own branch.There are also a series of tests, the last of which asks you to apply the knowledge youve learned about management and the business in scenarios and hypotheticals.Thats the qualifying test to become an Assistant Manager. And once you successfully complete that, youre eligible for internal promotions.Thats the best part of the program, according to Kelly. Everybody can move upand one persons success always means the success of others. The result being you build a strong bond with your peers.You make a lot of friends. Its fun, but its also good networking. You build a brand for yourself, and the y keep you in mind for opportunities.That network means more than just promotions, though the friendships and emotional support system are just as valuable.Its the kind of environment where you feel that people actually care about you. The thing that keeps me tied to Enterprise is the people that I work with. I have built so many strong relationships, Kelly says.And The Perfect Candidate For The Management Training Program IsFired up about the program? Kelly suggests there are a few traits that can make someone a great fit.People who are dedicated, self-driven. People who are competitive. Im more competitive against myself than anyone else, explains Kelly. Its always about reaching my goals. How did I do compared to last month? How do I want to do better next month?And, of course, people who are just hungry to learn, Kelly notes. For me, my biggest motivator is learning. Ive been here a year and a half now, and Im still learning a lot, which is what keeps me interested and wanting t o be here as long as I can.As youre learning and growing in your role, youre also given plenty of autonomy.You have to make decisions on the spot, and they give you the freedom to make those decisions, says Kelly. And if its not the right decision, you can learn from it.Ready to start learningand doing more in your first full-time job? Check out opportunities from Enterprise on WayUp.