CHANGING FROM ADMINISTRATION JOBS

Behind every successful company is a highly organised administrative team. If you’re working in an admin role, you’ve likely developed some essential skills for admin work that are valuable across a range of careers. In this guide, we list transferable admin skills, provide admin career path ideas, and give tips on how you can transition into a different role.

What are administrative skills?

Administrative jobs can vary across industries but generally involve ensuring an organisation’s operations are seamless. Typical admin tasks may include:

• handling emails and phone calls,
• making travel arrangements for employees,
• record keeping,
• and managing schedules.

Skills for admin work create a solid foundation for any career. Here are five administrative skills that are transferable across different industries:

• Attention to detail – Through entering data and proofreading important emails, working in admin arms you with excellent attention to detail. Producing accurate and high-quality work will show your professionalism and reliability in any job.
• Problem-solving – Admin assistants often face problems like sudden schedule changes and dealing with difficult individuals. Knowing how to think critically and creatively proves that you can handle unexpected situations.
• Teamwork – A career path in administration requires coordinating and collaborating with colleagues effectively. Teamwork is valuable in any workplace, as it increases efficiency across the team and drives innovation.
• Communication – Through handling countless phone calls and email exchanges, admin professionals master the skill of clearly articulating information. Effective communication is crucial for building trust in any work relationship.
• Organisation – Admin professionals rely on their organisation skills to juggle tasks and meet tight deadlines. Managing tasks effectively enables you to maximise your time and improve your productivity.

What are career paths for administrative assistants?

While there are a variety of career paths in administration, it’s also possible to pursue jobs and careers in other fields. Here are eight admin career path ideas you could consider:

• HR Coordinator – With some overlaps between the two roles, human resources can be a great admin assistant career path. HR coordinators are responsible for all things related to employees, including recruitment, training and handling employee relations.
• Logistics and Supply Chain Management – Professionals in logistics and supply chain management typically coordinate the transportation of goods between different points in the supply chain. Studying a Bachelor of Business – Logistics & Supply Chain Management is a great way to get your foot in the door.
• Accountant – If you’re already tasked with financial data entry in your current role, accounting could be the business admin career path for you. Some typical tasks include budgeting, tax planning and preparing financial statements. Study a Bachelor of Business – Accounting to learn the essentials that will prepare you for the workplace.
• Data Analyst – Data analysts are responsible for gathering and interpreting data, and finding ways to use the results to solve business problems. Consider studying a Graduate Certificate of Professional Data Analytics to take your admin data entry skills to the next level.
• Legal Assistant – Legal assistants support legal teams and handle tasks including research, preparing documents and communicating with clients. While legal assistants don’t require a qualification, you’ll gain valuable foundational knowledge by studying a Bachelor of Laws degree.
• Project Manager – The strong organisational and multitasking skills of admin assistants are a perfect match for project management. Project managers plan, coordinate and execute projects, considering factors such as schedules and budgets. Studying a Bachelor of Business – Management will ensure you’re job ready.
• Event Planner – The attention to detail developed in admin roles is highly valuable for event planning. Event planners are responsible for organising and coordinating events, including weddings, conferences and parties.
• Operations Coordinator – Operations coordinators typically manage and oversee the production of goods and services. For example, in a hotel setting, this could mean managing supplier relationships or improving the guest experience. Study a Bachelor of Business – Business Administration to develop generalist business skills that are highly sought after.

How can I progress from my admin role?

If you’re interested in progressing from your career path in administration, here are five tips to help you transition into a new role:

• Reach out to your network – If you have a role that interests you at your current company, see if one of your colleagues would be happy to grab a coffee and chat about what they do in more depth. They may be able to give you tips on how to get your foot in the door.
• Choose an area to specialise in – If there are crossovers between your skills for admin work and your dream career, specialising in this specific area of administration will be beneficial. Whether that’s accounting or project management, seek opportunities both within and outside your work environment to develop your skills and knowledge in the area.
• Consider further study – To build your skillset and explore professional development opportunities, you could consider studying a relevant online degree. This will help you to formalise your experience and make your transition to another role smoother. By studying with Swinburne Online, you can keep working in your current position and move into another job title when you’re ready.
• Take on additional responsibilities – If you have the capacity, you could take on additional tasks for a department that you’re interested in. For example if you’re aiming to transition into HR, reach out and ask if there are any projects you could support them with.
• Ask your manager for guidance – After you’ve identified your admin career path goals and planned how you’ll develop the skills needed, ask your manager for feedback and guidance. They may have helpful advice, as well as knowledge about internal opportunities that are opening up.

If you’d like further guidance, our friendly Course Consultants are here to help you on 1300 069 765, or you can contact us here.