What's it like to work as an assistant to the CEO in a nonprofit? Is this a stressful job, a good way to pay the bills and accumulate karma at the same time? We will find out for you in this interview with someone who knows the answers! What is your job title and what industry do you work in? How many years of experience do you have in that field? I am the Administrative Assistant to the CEO in a non-profit organization that works with homeless and near homeless veterans in our state.
I've been in the administrative field for over 15 years but have worked in this current position for 5.
Would you describe the things you do on a typical day? I take care of all the CEO's correspondence, set up any meetings that he needs to go to and see to it that any visitors that he has are promptly taken care of.
I manage and supervise the other administrative staff for the organization.
I accept and log any donations that come in and audit each of the homes at a rate of one per day once a week to make sure they are running smoothly and the clients living there are all ok.
On a scale of 1 to 10 how would you rate your job satisfaction? What would it take to unleash your full enthusiasm, talent and productivity? My job satisfaction is actually at a 9.
The only thing that would unleash my full enthusiasm would be for my job to not be needed anymore.
I know that may sound odd but I will not be completely satisfied until every homeless veteran in our country is no longer homeless.
I believe that my productivity and talent could benefit from a vacation! It's been a while.
What did you learn the hard way in this job and how did that happen? I learned that not all homeless veterans are homeless because of circumstances.
The first time a homeless veteran told me that he didn't want the other help that we offered, it was an eye opener for me.
I still don't really understand it but know that you can't help a person if they don't want you to help them.
What don't they teach in school that would've been helpful to you? Compassion and understanding are the two things that they don't teach in school that are helpful to me in this job.
How did you get started in this line of work? If you could go back and do it differently, what would you change? When I originally went into the administrative field, I thought there was really no other field that was a good fit for me at the time.
If I could have changed anything I think I would have gotten a better education.
School is so important and really does make a difference in your earning power as you grow in any profession.
What's the strangest thing that ever happened to you in this job? When I was asked to set cat traps in the warehouse because a few stray cats had somehow gotten in.
On a good day when things are going well, can you give an example of something that really makes you feel good? When one of the veterans has completed the program and returns to say thank you.
When nothing seems to go right, what kind of snafus do you handle and what do you dislike the most? If the CEO is having a bad day, I'm having a bad day! I dislike having to go back and correct other people's mistakes because it creates havoc for the rest of the day.
How stressful is your job? Are you able to maintain a comfortable or healthy work-life balance? I wouldn't say it is stressful at all.
When I'm away from work, I'm away from work and am able to enjoy my off time with my family.
What's a rough salary range for the position you hold? Are you paid enough and/or happy living within your means? For someone in my position in a non-profit setting, the salary range is $30,000 to $45,000 per year.
I am happy with it because I don't frivolously spend money.
I live within my means and I enjoy my life.
What's the most rewarding moment you've experienced in this position? Of all the things you've done at work, what are you most proud of? Being able to computerize the organization to make it run more efficiently and save time that can be spent doing other things was very rewarding and I'm extremely proud of that accomplishment.
What's the most challenging moment you've experienced? What would you prefer to forget? Getting items for the food pantry are always the most challenging moments.
When it is empty, we can't help the veterans.
I would love to forget the statistics that stare me in the face every day of how many of these men and women are out there.
What education and skills do you need to get hired and succeed in this field? A high school level education is sufficient for the majority of what I do.
The rest can be learned with personal experience or college.
What would you tell a friend considering your line of work? You really have to want to help others to be able to do administrative work in a non-profit organization.
Administrative work can be boring and repetitive at times and it can be a thankless job if you aren't working for the right company.
How much vacation do you take? Is it enough? I'm able to take 3 weeks a year but usually I take about a week off every year.
No, it really isn't enough but finding the perfect window for vacations can sometimes be tricky with what I do.
When I returned from my last vacation it took me almost 3 weeks to catch up so sometimes I wonder if it is worth it.
Are there any common misunderstandings you want to correct about what you do? I don't sit behind a desk with a phone headset attached to my head! Does this job move your heart? Feel like you found your calling or sweet spot in life? If not, what might do it for you? It does.
I feel lucky to have found this job.
I am the type of person that always wants to help others and this job was the perfect opportunity for me to do just that while at the same time providing a steady income that allows me to take care of my family and pay the bills.
It's a wonderful feeling to see one of the veterans again a couple years after they have exited the programs and they are happy, healthy and back to living a full life.
If you could write your own ticket, what would you like to be doing in five years? In five years I hope to have completed my college education and be a volunteer at the organization that I currently work for.
I want to start my own company although I'm not exactly sure what that company will do yet.
I have been leaning toward a virtual assistant or temporary administrative service.
Is there anything unique about your situation that readers should know when considering your experiences or accomplishments? I've always felt the need to help others as much as I possibly can.
This combined with my administrative skills led me to the job that I have today.