Administrative Professionals are detail-oriented, organized, proactive, independent, adaptive, diligent, and maybe most importantly, they know how to handle a good amount of stress.
As Engineering and Construction Administrative Specialist Tami Jacobs put it, “Without this one person, a whole lot of things do not, and would not get done, period.”
We appreciate them daily, but today (April 27, 2022) is the designated “National Administrative Professionals’ Day!” So, please make sure you thank your admin pro a few more times than you usually would (like, 20 times more, at least).
The Memphis District currently employs more than 20 administrative professionals, and we are grateful for each and every one. And while their job title is “Administrative Professional” (or a title within that category), they do so much more than what many might expect.
For example, Ensley Engineer Yard Office Support Assistant Kathy Allen is responsible for, “Financial management processing for payroll, purchase requests for labor and training, and travel coordination and payments.”
Adding to that, many also serve as: Training Officer, Budget Analyst, Collateral Duty Safety Officer, Train-the Trainer, and alternate timekeeper.
These knowledgeable employees have one-of-a-kind skills, and they can juggle tasks like no one’s business. So we wondered, what drives them? Why do they love what they do?
“I was inspired to join this career field as a way to contribute positively to society,” said Paralegal Specialist Evelyn McLaurin. “It is a natural trait of mine to help people. I am committed to making a difference in my community.”
Caruthersville Area Office Administrative Support Assistant Jennifer “Jen” Brooks shared a similar sentiment, saying, “I love knowing that my job serves those who are working hard to provide for the community in which I live. I also love those I work with on a daily basis. We have a family-like mentality in Caruthersville. Pre-Covid, most of us ate lunch together on a daily basis and it was at that time we would talk about our families and share our personal lives with each other. The best thing about this job is, it’s not a job when you love what you do… and I truly do.”
Adding another reason why they love this job, Ensley Engineer Yard Office Support Assistant Lekendra Douglas said she likes “…having the opportunity to learn about the employees we support. It is interesting to see the different missions that everyone accomplishes and how everything ties in.”
At the end of the day, they (obviously) love what they do because they love helping and being around other people. But another key reason they love it is because of those who took the time to mentor, support, and teach them the ways of the trade.
For W.G. Huxtable Pumping Plant Administrative Assistant Nichelle Terry, her mentors are, “All my coworkers; past, present and future. As humans, we should always be trying to better ourselves. I am forever seeking the points at which l fall short… and furthermore, how to make my shortcomings better. I cannot do any of that without my coworkers. As the saying goes: ‘When you know better, you can do better’”.
And as a mentee, Ensley Engineer Yard Office Support Assistant Tonya Lee absolutely recognizes the value of having a mentor, saying her mentor is, “Cherrie Smith. I call her “My Saving Grace”, because she took the time to not only show me things I didn’t know, but to also explain and go into detail about whatever it was that I was learning -- without me asking her to. She is a “One of a Kind” individual who will go the extra mile to help anyone if they are willing and wanting to learn, regardless of how busy she is. I’m grateful for her ‘Teamwork makes the dream work attitude!”
We think Tami Jacobs said it best: “Without this one person, a whole lot of things do not, and would not get done, period.”
With that said, always know the Memphis District is beyond grateful for all the administrative specialists employed within this district. Thank you for all you do for the district, the division, and the nation, not just today, but every day. Again, Happy Administrative Professionals’ Day! We hope you all know how much you're appreciated.