To ask how how you got out of admin jobs?

[Paperscall]

I've always only ever worked in admin support roles. Current job is managing diaries, organising meetings, minuting and I really don't enjoy it. I don't have any other skills except the usual admin/ computer skills.

I've been stuck in these type of jobs as they've been convenient fitting around kids and also part time. But now the kids are getting older I am able to possibly work full time.

I want a change. I want to work on my own work, not looking after other people's diaries and organising things for them!

Has anyone else moved to other areas from admin. If so, how did you do it? What was the organisation? Thanks

How about moving into a specific department of larger company but in admin - such as HR, Finance, sales or customer service (or something specialist in an organisation you’re interested in), then undertaking relevant training and qualifications in order to move into the specialist roles? I know a lot of people who have got into different roles this way.

I see a lot of people in my (NHS)
workplace moving into project management roles from admin roles.

I just "hustled" for increased responsibility within the same company. Someone retired, and I took over some of her work, I increased my hours, spotted things that weren't being resourced properly and asked to take them on, spoke to my boss and directors about increasing my role etc. etc.

thedevilinablackdress Is that in a hospital or more like a CCG type organisation?

Freixene yes that's what I want to do. Get into a niche of some sort. Don't like HR and finance though! So not sure what to do!

Perhaps start with finding the industry that interests you? Could be anything, insurance, events, health, tech. Apply for the admin jobs then once you’re in, work out the specialism within that that you want to be in - projects, design. Make it known what your goals are, volunteer for additional work, show interest, and work out what you need to do to get there- what courses, who can help you. It won’t be a short process but if you really want to do something different then that’s the way. Give it some thought and write down your ideas of what your perfect job would include and work back from there

What is it you want to do, and what kind of area do you work in? Working in admin in a sector you enjoy is a good way to build some skills. You’ll pick up elements of the work whilst providing admin support.

Volunteer for everything going. Any time a project comes up and needs support, ask if you can be involved. It doesn’t really matter what it is but you’ll build skills and show initiative.

Have a chat with your manager about your development - do you have any problems for job shadowing or training programmes you can get involved with?

I did what @thedevilinablackdress said and moved into Project Management. I was very lucky with that first move as it was a previous manager I had worked with who approached me, she felt I'd be a good fit and it was a temporary role. I subsequently paid for PRINCE2.

I work for a local council in communications (press releases, social media, newsletters etc) a colleague was a PA and moved across to us. Our Admin assistant does lots of similar work to others but at a less difficult level.

What about continuous improvement/change work? We’ve had people in my team start as business support in this area before moving up into supporting projects with change and then into project management.

I’m in Civil Service.

I moved into a project role, at a council. I like it as there is more responsibility and decision making (and it is paid better). It wasn't an area I thought I would even find interesting but I actually love it.

Hi not hospital based OP but in Scotland so don't have CCGs.

What department are you in? Bassettgirl

My boss's wife was a SAHM for several years whilst their children were young. She had done a bit of shop work and some private music teaching and obviously managed a busy household. They were struggling financially so she decided to return to the workplace and got a receptionist job p/t at a GP surgery. Within a very short time, she took on more hours, then was promoted to Assistant Practice Manager, then moved to a surgery which is literally across the road from their house as Practice Manager.

Think about the skills you have, both from the workplace and home. This lady was able to show how her experience running the house & coordinating her teaching around everything would make her a good fit. She is currently recruiting a new receptionist/medical records clerk and has been inundated with applications.

I moved into more senior support roles that included wider things such as communications. Then got a communications job. Loads of my friends started with admin jobs. I think universities and local government are good areas for developing into other careers via admin.

I started off as an administrator and ended up working in marketing at the same company. I just showed an interest and they needed someone junior to help out so I moved sideways. They have since promoted me twice and have paid for me to do some marketing qualifications.

Within environment dept OP. Tried for ages to get something not-admin in children's services which I found interesting, but found it difficult to progress without a related qualification (which I don't have time/money to do).

Oh I feel your pain, it's a tricky slump to get out of.

I tried and failed the PM route. I got my PRINCE2 certificate but could never get a job.

I did take on mini projects at work for experience for a couple of years and then applied for a quality assurance manager role. I didn't get it, but I was offered the quality assurance assistant instead. I accepted on the condition that i don't have to manage anyone's diary but my own! this is a public sector organisation with a strong emphasis on career progression.

I studied alongside my full time job. I did a masters in project management with a view to moving into more project-based roles but I ended up loving research so much I’m now doing a full-time PhD. Extreme, but it got me out of my admin rut

That's great amused, and did the job Can I ask, as I am never sure - do you get paid for doing a PhD though? I realise that probably sounds quite ignorant but I have never been able to work out how I would afford further study!

Are there any jobs internally you'd be interested in (whether they are open for applications at the moment or not)? Can you talk to people in those departments and say you're interested in career development into that area and what do they think you should be focusing on to get there?
I moved internally from an admin role that way - kept offering to help the other team and make sure they knew I was interested in moving that direction and they ended up hiring me when they had a vacancy because by then I was much more attractive to them than the unknown of an outside hire even though I didn't strictly have the right background

@Bassettgirl

That's great amused, and did the job Can I ask, as I am never sure - do you get paid for doing a PhD though? I realise that probably sounds quite ignorant but I have never been able to work out how I would afford further study!

Yes, I get a tax-free stipend of £15000 per year, which works out at £1250 per month. I also get a council tax reduction so while it was a step down in terms of salary (I was previously on £1750 per month working full time), it hasn’t been as drastic as I expected. I’m also wfh for the foreseeable and even when campus reopens, I’ll only need to be there one or two days a week so my commuting costs will be lower.

I’ll also be able to pick up some extra cash teaching undergrad classes further down the line. I didn’t think I’d ever be able to afford to do a PhD full-time but I’m by no means destitute!

That's great and v interesting! What is your PhD in out of interest? Sorry to derail thread

I did recently realise I could get some funding for a masters. What to it in is another matter...

By accident/luck really.

I started out as a receptionist in my late teens, then went into office admin and became a senior administrator by mid-twenties. I was happy doing that but wanted to move companies for a slightly larger salary, so I applied for an “accounts assistant” job (there was not much more in the job description than this) as I’d done invoicing and a bit of payroll as part of my previous admin experience.

Turned up for the interview and realised I was under-qualified for the job. The other candidates were all AAT qualified and the company was an accountancy firm where the duties would be bookkeeping, producing company accounts, preparing tax returns for wealthy clients etc. I was honest at the interview and said I didn’t have experience doing those things and outlined what I’d previously done as an administrator. I ended up getting the job because I came across better at interview and seemed more organised than the qualified graduates with no office experience.

I’ve been there 5 years now and I’ve learned loads on the job, including some really complex accountancy stuff. I would eventually like to get qualified in case I ever need to look for another job (small company and boss is near retirement age = possible redundancy in future) and I get that most firms won’t employ someone without the AAT behind them. But I love my small company and have had generous pay rises every year so far, so I hope I can stay there for a very long time.

I was a civil servant for many years. Took early retirement then worked in NHS admin. That was grim. I got a job in a local tourist attraction. Less money but so much more variety and a lovely working environment.