Are you ready to grow in your career? Well, you’ve come to the right place to gain some career goals for an administrative assistant. . Today I’ll be sharing what the career path of an administrative assistant looks like, the benefits of the job, and some career goals you may want to have in this career.
Let’s start by discussing why career goals are important for any career field, especially for someone in an administrative assistant position.
Why Are Career Goals Important?
You wouldn’t set out for a road trip without knowing where you were going and how to get there, unless you are purposely choosing that adventure. Your career is much like a road trip. In order to get to that dream job you need to set some career goals to keep you headed in the right direction.
Career Masterclass also points out that making career goals can positively impact your future. When it comes to topics like investments and retirement, having career goals while you are young is a must.
Being in an administrative assistant role doesn’t have to be your present AND future. We’ll chat about options to grow in, and out of later in the post.
How To Set A Career Goal
There are a variety of different ways to do goal setting. I personally like to do a combination of two big techniques; SMART goals and Working Backward.
Here is a breakdown of those two. For more goal-setting advice and worksheets check out the GenTwenty resource library.
- Envision Where You Want To Be: Think about that dream career you are headed towards. What are you doing? What does a typical day look like? This is a good way to start thinking about your career objectives.
- Take Steps Back: Now think of what you’ll be doing to get to that dream career, but work backwards. Come up with as many smaller goals as you need to until you get to where you are now. You’ve just made your goals roadmap! I first got this idea from the book Girl Stop Apologizing by Rachel Hollis years ago.
- Make Each Goal You Set SMART: The most effective goals are SMART goals. Here at GenTwenty we’ve talked a lot about SMART goals. Here are a few past articles to help you create your own SMART goals and action plan.
- How to Set SMART Goals and Crush Them
- 4 Steps To Set Achievable Short-Term Goals
- 3 Questions For Reassessing Your Career Goals
What Does The Career Path For An Administrative Assistant Look Like?
When it comes to the business world, an admin assistant is a great place to be as you start to discover industries and skill sets that you enjoy. While you may not need a bachelor’s degree, most companies require their administrative support to obtain an associates degree – at least.
During your higher education you may want to decide to take on an internship. That way you can get some work experience in administrative tasks before you start your career. However, you don’t need many years of experience to get started!
Once you’ve got your diploma, it’s time to join the job seekers. Penn Foster has a great career guide for administrative assistants.
The Benefits Of A Job As An Administrative Assistant
Executive assistants have a great amount of benefits when it comes to finding a job. Two of those benefits contribute a lot to career growth. Let’s see what they are.
A Variety Of Jobs Available To You
Pretty much every business administration needs executive assistants to help with administrative duties. This means the job market is pretty open for you. You could be anything from a certified medical administrative assistant to an administrative assistant for your local high school.
Your Skills Are Highly Transferable
As an admin assistant you’ll need to know, or be willing to learn, a variety of skills. Some of them are, communication skills, excellent customer service skills, problem-solving skills, interpersonal skills, and even more!
The skills you need will depend on what it says in the job description of the different companies, so you’ll want to check the listings individually. If you’re in the position of writing a job listing for an administrative role, understanding the elements of a good job description is crucial.
23 Career Goals For An Administrative Assistant
The time has come to set your own goals. If you’re not sure where to start, here are a few that cover mostly all of a job’s lifespan.
1. Improve Soft Skills and Technical Skills
I’m a big advocate of being what I call a “forever student.” Whether you got your high school diploma, or went further, I believe we can still learn even after school is over.
The first career goal I’m talking about is improving your skills. I know that is incredibly vague. Your first step is to think of a promotion you are working towards, or maybe a new job opening at a different company.
Make a list of all the soft skills and technical skills needed to advance in this next step of your career. Pick one out of each category to practice until you master it. Keep going through the list and by the end you’ll be ready for whatever comes next.
2. Enroll In Certification or Training Programs
You’re most likely in an entry-level position wanting to move up if you are reading this. In the same spirit as the last tip, this one is also about improvement. Only this time it is more extensive, and you get some recognition after.
When you participate in training and take certifications on things like new software programs, people notice. Taking the time and investing in your professional development will always be a great idea if you are looking to advance your career. I love taking the HubSpot Academy Certifications when I want to improve my skills.
3. Go For That Promotion
If you work at a big company, there may be better chances for more career opportunities at your current place of work. I know it can be scary to put yourself out there like that, but if you don’t try you’ll never know! Go get that promotion! You deserve it.
4. Enhance Administrative Skills
Continuously improve your administrative skills, including organization, time management, communication, problem-solving, and technology proficiency. Seek out training programs or workshops to develop these skills further.
5. Expand Knowledge and Expertise
Aim to expand your knowledge in areas relevant to your industry or organization. This could include learning about new software or technologies, staying updated on industry trends, or gaining expertise in specific areas like project management or human resources.
6. Develop Leadership Abilities
Take on additional responsibilities that demonstrate your leadership potential. Seek opportunities to manage projects, coordinate teams, or mentor junior colleagues. This will help you showcase your ability to take charge and handle greater responsibilities.
7. Pursue Professional Certifications
Explore professional certifications that are relevant to your field or industry. Certifications can enhance your credibility and demonstrate your commitment to continuous learning. For example, you may consider certifications such as Certified Administrative Professional (CAP) or Microsoft Office Specialist (MOS).
8. Seek Advancement Opportunities:
Set a goal to advance within your organization or industry. This could involve working towards a promotion to a higher-level administrative role or transitioning into a managerial position. Speak with your supervisor about your career aspirations and seek their guidance on how to progress.
9. Network and Build Relationships
Actively network within your industry to expand your professional connections. Attend conferences, join professional associations, and engage in online communities. Building a strong network can lead to new opportunities, job leads, and valuable insights.
10. Embrace Continuing Education
Stay updated on the latest trends, tools, and techniques within the administrative field. Attend webinars, workshops, or online courses to deepen your knowledge and stay current with industry best practices.
11. Improve Communication and Interpersonal Skills
Focus on enhancing your written and verbal communication skills. This includes being proficient in professional email etiquette, active listening, effective presentation skills, and fostering positive working relationships with colleagues and clients.
12. Explore Specialization Options
Consider specializing in a particular area of administration that aligns with your interests or strengths. This could be human resources, event planning, project management, or finance. Specialization can help you become an expert in a specific domain and increase your value as an administrative professional.
13. Set Long-Term Career Goals
Define your long-term career goals and create a roadmap to achieve them. This might include seeking higher-level positions such as executive assistant or office manager, transitioning into a different department, or even starting your own administrative consulting business.
14. Implement Process Improvement Initiatives
Take the initiative to identify inefficiencies in existing administrative processes and propose and implement solutions to streamline workflows and enhance productivity.
15. Develop Multilingual Skills
Set a goal to learn a new language or improve your proficiency in a language that is valuable to your organization or industry. Being multilingual can open doors to working with international clients or collaborating with global teams.
16. Become a Subject Matter Expert
Focus on becoming an expert in a specific area relevant to your organization’s operations. This could be mastering a specific software system, understanding complex regulatory requirements, or becoming a go-to resource for a particular department or project.
17. Build a Personal Brand
Develop and promote your personal brand as an administrative professional. Establish an online presence through social media, blogging, or creating a professional website to showcase your skills, expertise, and achievements.
18. Lead Training and Development Initiatives
Take charge of organizing and delivering training programs or workshops for your colleagues or other administrative staff within your organization. Sharing your knowledge and expertise can enhance your reputation and contribute to your professional growth.
19. Drive Sustainability Initiatives
Set a goal to integrate sustainability practices into your organization’s administrative operations. This could involve implementing paperless processes, reducing waste, or promoting eco-friendly practices within the workplace.
20. Explore Virtual Administration
Expand your skillset to excel in a virtual work environment. Learn to navigate virtual collaboration tools, manage remote teams, and adapt administrative processes to support remote work setups.
21. Become a Project Management Specialist
Develop your project management skills and work towards becoming a project management expert within your organization. This could involve obtaining project management certifications, managing cross-functional projects, or collaborating with project managers.
22. Cultivate Cultural Competence
Aim to develop cultural competence and enhance your ability to work effectively with colleagues, clients, and stakeholders from diverse backgrounds. This includes understanding cultural nuances, practicing inclusivity, and adapting your communication style accordingly.
23. Mentor and Coach Junior Administrative Professionals
Take on a mentorship role and support the growth and development of junior administrative professionals. Share your knowledge, provide guidance, and help them navigate their career paths within the administrative field.
Final Reminders About Career Goals as An Administrative Assistant
Setting a new career goal can be exciting and motivating. When that motivation runs out that’s when you have to remember the tips and lessons we talked about here today.
Here are some final reminders:
Voice Your Goals:
Be clear with yourself and your superiors about what you are wanting to achieve. This helps make the goal more real in your mind, and your boss may even have some fresh insight for you.
Stay fixated on your goal, while also maintaining to do a great job in your current position.
Remember that motivation is fleeting. If you really want this, you have to work for it on the days you don’t feel like it (I’m talking to myself here as well).
While you are working towards your goal it’s also important to not abandon your current job in the process. You’ll want those positive results and reviews later.
Meet with a mentor
Meeting with someone regularly to discuss your progress, where you want to be, and how you’ll get there is a great way to help you achieve your career goals as well. Don’t underestimate the impact having a mentor can have on your career.
Have you been considering a career as an administrative assistant? I hope this article gave you an idea for what your future can look like.
What administrative assistant goals do you think you’ll want to achieve first? Let me know in the comments.
About the Author
Kelly graduated from Liberty University with a degree in Advertising and Public Relations and a minor in Journalism. Even though it took her a little while to find her career path, she was always meant to be in Communications. She remembers writing poems and songs when she was a little girl and pitching to my parents the reasons why I should have a cell phone when I was a teenager. She currently has a blog (budding-joy.com) where she talks about her weight-loss journey, mental health and personal development. Her hope is to encourage and inspire readers and let them know they are not alone. Reading blog posts like that are what helped her in tough times and she wants to pay it forward. She loves dance fitness, listening to music, and creating layouts in her bullet journal. She's a big fan of planning, especially when cute notebooks and pens are involved. Her dream job has changed so much over the years; right now she'd love to co-own a dance studio.
Website: budding-joy.com