Post 4.

A second aspect of my internship was assisting the Administrative Assistant. I learned that a lot goes into that position and it requires someone who has a range of technical, professional, and personal skills. It also demands that you are able to creatively problem solve and figure out your own system for doing various tasks (effectively). The woman I was working with had an amazingly efficient system for everything! She was incredibly organized and typically created her own procedures for many of the duties she was in charge of. Most of her systems were developed over time, mostly through trial and error. She continually thought up new and interesting ways to accomplish her daily tasks in the most time-effective ways. I really admired the relationship she held with the manager of my unit. They worked very closely on various projects and she always had great suggestions for how to streamline processes and make the overall experience better.

Not only was she a great Admin Assis. but she was an awesome person as well. My first day, she invited me to lunch and introduced me to several of her co-workers whom I instantly connected with. I was so grateful that she brought me into her lunch circle and made me part of the "group". The relationships you make with the people you work with are so important to the quality of your work and the quality of your work life. "Vibing" is critical to producing "best practices" and being able to come up with new ideas. I gained a lot of useful, practical knowledge from my time working with the Admin. Assis. and I am glad that I was afforded that opportunity.