Administrative Assistant's Update

APRIL 2017 6 6 Admin skills deployed in 20-year banking side-trip As an occasional series, AAU asks past and current administrative professionals to share the story of their career. Sherri Roberts is administrative assistant program learning manager at Holland College West Prince Campus in Alberton, PEI. By Sherri Roberts I am a lifelong learner who likes to work with people. Those qualities led me to earn my diploma as an administrative assistant and then to a second career in banking. Now I am back in the classroom for my third career: learning manager for the administrative assistant program at the Alberton campus of Holland College in Prince Edward Island. Office skills = versatility The skills I learned in my office studies program in the 1980s – com - munication skills, customer service, patience and organization – equipped me to pursue my career goals, includ- ing my desire to become an instructor for a new generation of AAs. In 1987, I graduated from Westisle Composite High School in Elmsdale, PEI, and enrolled in the Office Stud- ies (now renamed the Administrative Assistant) program at Holland College. I enjoy working with people and numbers so a career as an AA, with its wide-ranging responsibilities to en- sure the efficient day-to-day operation of an office, appealed to me. At that time, the course was largely designed to graduate secretaries skilled in ac- counting, transcribing, keyboarding and filing. The career of an AA has evolved a lot since 1987! I completed the Office Studies diploma course in 11 months, a little ahead of schedule. As a student, I real- ized that one day I would enjoy teach- ing this program as I enjoyed helping others with the course material. After graduating, I continued my studies at Holland College's Charlotte- town campus, enrolling in the Instruc- tor Training program for those who want to teach at a college. Along came the CIBC Then my career took a different turn. In 1992, having never considered a career in banking, I was hired by the Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce as a customer service representative in Alberton. Within nine months I was promoted to back office clerk and one year later took on a new position as a senior financial services representa - tive in the lending and investment department. My job called on many of the skills I learned as an AA as I engaged with clients to assist them with their personal and business banking needs; solicited new customers; and par- ticipated in marketing and business development activities. Branch management beckoned In my AA role, and at the bank, I had to meet tight deadlines, be account- able for my actions, pay attention to detail and develop customer service skills. I spent 20 years with CIBC, serving as a branch manager for the final four years of my banking career. Again, my AA experience proved invaluable. As branch manager – a challeng- ing but rewarding job – I developed strong, trusting relationships with clients and stayed current with new products and changes to existing ser- vices offered by the bank. There was no better feeling than to meet with clients, review their financial situation and develop a financial plan to help them achieve their goals. As a manager, I aimed to nurture a collaborative relationship with staff. When co-workers had an issue, I seemed to be the person they would contact for advice. While at the bank, I continued to educate myself by taking manager- training courses. As well, I earned financial planning and other creden - tials through the Canadian Securities Institute and related industry training organizations. An opportunity to teach other admins In 2011, when Holland College an- nounced the opening of a new campus in Alberton, I saw an opportunity to fulfil my dream of becoming a teacher. I loved the idea of being able to help students learn content and, in the process, prove to myself that I could still learn something new. When I learned that the adminis- trative assistant program would be offered, I successfully applied for the position of learning manager in May 2011. As the program was new, I had to select textbooks, develop lesson plans and create assignments to meet the course outline expectations of the col- lege. In my role as learning manager, I oversee the measurement of student outcomes, curriculum development, student assessment and course ef- ficiency, including the application of up-to-date classroom technology. Sherri Roberts Continued on page 7

• Cover