Everywhere? California never asked me to. There was a box on my forms, but it was not checked for me.

In NY, I had to physically go into the office every two or three weeks and talk to them. It was supposedly a random checking system, but it was very regular for me.

I looked at the article -- not so sure he should have turned down the job, but more because it sounds like he needs some experience. Not just work experience , but work wold experience.

My first years of employment were not anything that directly gave me experience in my chosen field, but they helped me develop a lot of professional skills and a basic idea of how the working world works.

My first years of employment were not anything that directly gave me experience in my chosen field, but they helped me develop a lot of professional skills and a basic idea of how the working world works.

Exactly this.

You know, I was thinking that it is unusual for a person to work themselves up from admin to something else at my uni, but I forgot that I had several years working in theatre before that, so I was not a shiny new grad with possibilities, I was lucky to get a job as an admin, what with my experience being in theatre and retail.

In higher education, I have had a lot of problems climbing out of the admin assistant field- there's a stigma there. I was at MIT for 6 years and promotions were not happening. Even with a Masters degree.

I feel somewhat toolish for giving up a soul sucking yet well paying job without something in hand, because that goes against everything I have believed, but... the soul sucking had reached a tipping point. Also, I had some unexpected money come into my life, which sort of helped make up my mind.

Also, NEW ORLEANS BAYBEE!!!

Yeah, Nora, I do think it matters what industry you're in. I could see academia is being very different.

I have to say that the anecdotal evidence I have at my University of people "working their way up" are either people who started in the early 70's or men. THey don't leave a man with a title of "secretary" or "admin assistant" for long.

THey don't leave a man with a title of "secretary" or "admin assistant" for long.

Yes.

Oh, and, for example, "Academic Counselor," "Admissions Counselor" and "FInancial Aid Counselor" are all them same level/grade as "Admin Asst" and both require the same qualifications, so you have to know to go into one of those if you eventually want to be a higher level staff member.

I guess I only have anecdotal evidence to go on, but when I come across an admin who has brains, ambition and a good attitude, I snag them for other roles as soon as I can. There are also people in that role who really love their role as is, and I leave them be. I've come across a few who relish the 9-5 it gives them; they want to be able to leave their jobs at the office.

One of my direct reports, who is now a senior manager, started here as a publishing assistant.