Present Career, Career Interest And The Value Of A College Education

Present Career, Career Interest and The Value of a College Education

Currently I am what some would call a receptionist, but at MD Anderson Cancer Center, my title is Senior Secretary. I am responsible for handling the front desk operations. I receive all the incoming calls for the administrative office. I take messages (paper and e-mail), distribute messages, page staff members when appropriate and assist callers in reaching the appropriate department when necessary. I greet, screen, and announce visitors and guests and direct them to the appropriate areas.

I also provide administrative support to the department. I am responsible for preparing outgoing mail and taking it to Mail Services as well as picking up and distributing incoming mail. I fax outgoing documents and deliver incoming faxes. I assist with scheduling meetings, including scheduling conference rooms, ordering food and equipment as needed. I maintain the conference room schedule; assist in resolving scheduling conflicts when they arise. I assist with the distribution of meeting notices, reminders and agendas as appropriate (paper and e-mail).

I am the primary timekeeper for the department. I am in charge of maintaining leave and travel records for the entire department. I ensure Kronos, our timekeeping system, is accurate with regard to leave taken and holiday time earned. I maintain departmental files for timesheets, travel and leave requests. I maintain and distribute a departmental travel schedule (e-mail and fax).

I am also in charge of ordering specific items for the department such as Office Depot orders, lab coats, business cards, keys coffee and water. In addition, I receive and stock deliveries and maintains inventory. I also process catering orders for special department events.

I provide clerical support to the department also. I am responsible for typing and preparing documents as requested. I keep current licensure information on each physician. I assist the executive assistant and office manager with miscellaneous projects, such as donor letters, room/key log and doctor's monthly telephone consult schedule.

I have been in this position and with the company for four years. I enjoy the responsibility of my present career, but I would like new challenges and new opportunities. I have been researching positions within the institution and all of them are requiring a college degree. I have come to the realization that individuals with a college degree have better job opportunities and with the proper credentials land the higher-level jobs.

A college education is one of the most important endeavors a person can pursue in today's time. There are many reasons to value a college education. Some reasons are to enhance knowledge or better job opportunities. Others reasons may be just for the satisfaction of completing a college degree or to be a positive role model for your children.

Having a college education is a positive achievement and gives you a great sense of self-satisfaction. I am not finished with my degree plan as of yet, but I just have a great feeling inside while I am attending college. I am striving for the feeling of having accomplished a major goal. I will be the first in my family to graduate from college. I am having my struggles with being a single mother, working full time and attending school full time, but I am not giving up. I am aware that I have to be determined and dedicated. Attending colleges helps develop maturity. You learn time management. That is very important when you are an adult student. You have to learn to balance all of your priorities if you want to be successful and accomplish your goal.

Trying to obtain a college degree, requires a