life of a secretary

So, one of my top 5 goals on my 24 before 24 list is to find a job that challenges me. I've been in an administrative job for about a year and a half now, and I am READY FOR A CHANGE!!! I've always had these romantic notions about the 1950's and how I think it would be fun to dress in cute skirts and heels and pearls for my husband when he gets home from work and I'm putting his dinner on the table, and along with that, I had this idea that being a secretary might be kind of fun, just for a while. Well... it is most definitely NOT the job for me!!!

I took this job because I love the organization and know that it is where I want my career to be, and when I was looking for a job after college, it was a very last minute thing because I had a very sudden change of plans--and this is what was open. I love the people I work with, I love the work we do... I love everything about it EXCEPT for my job! I cringe every time the phone rings and I have to answer it with a happy voice, entering data in the computer puts me to sleep, and alphabetizing and filing papers not only drives me crazy, it also leaves me with lots of painful papercuts! Plus, I spend A LOT of time alone in the office, which is not my favorite thing.

But because I have an emotional connection to this place, it has been hard for me to figure out if I should just stick around and wait for a better job to open up, or if I should look into applying elsewhere in the organization (there are about 15 other branches in my area--all much bigger). In the past month or two, I have decided that looking for a non-administrative job is DEFINITELY what I need to be doing. So far, I've applied for two and I have one interview set up.

I'm keeping my fingers crossed that one of these jobs works out, and SOON, because I went on quite the rant to Patagonia last night about the ridiculous phone calls I get on a daily basis. Apparently, even though it is 2010, people don't understand how to use a website so I have to sit on the phone with them while I give them a basic website tutorial. Reading directions is something else that seems to be quite difficult for our customers, and so I have to spend hours calling them and telling them that they've filled out a form wrong, and need to re-send it in. Fax machines are the bane of my existence, and the only thing I detest more than them is when someone repeatedly tries to fax something to our phone line. Making copies, opening mail, stuffing envelopes... these are all things that are slowly sucking the life out of me.

But... despite all of that, I'm COMFORTABLE at my job. And transition is hard for me. So because of those two things, I have spent a lot longer than I should sitting around answering the phone. But now... I am DESPERATE for a change! So it's resumes and cover letters and interviews until something works out... and I'm keeping my fingers crossed that it works out soon!

--Pearls