Not exactly a male secretary

“the duties of executive secretaries and administrative assistants involve a great deal of personal interaction that cannot be automated”

U.S. Department of Labor, Bureau of Labor Statistics

You would think I’d be relieved to read the above, but in fact, it (only) served as reinforcement. You see, I already knew this on some level or other in my mind. In 2006, when I trained with AssistU to become a virtual assistant (VA), I was putting my instinct and money on the line. My time, energy, and everything else I invested to become a VA hinged on my thinking/feeling that I would have as lengthy a career ahead of me as I wanted or needed in this field. Several studies, from the U.S. Department of Labor and elsewhere, suggest the field of senior administration will continue to grow for the next several years. Oh yes, there was there was one other thing I considered (and resolved): would I be accepted and be able to find clients as one of very few male VA’s out there.

If you have read me before, you’ll know I have already talked about some of the differences between a VA, and say, an executive assistant (a career I’ve also had in the past). There are similarities (and differences) between the two roles. One of the key similarities is included in the quote above: “personal interaction”. I suppose I cut my teeth in that area while an executive assistant, and subsequently brought those skills into the VA field. In the VA field, personal interaction can (should?) be taken to mean “relationship”. Most anyone can pickup more technical skills, and in numerous ways. However, knowing how to effectively interact in a client-VA relationship, well, that takes considerably more dexterity.

Quite some time ago–and I’m going to exercise my male prerogative by not saying exactly how long–I picked up enough word processing skills to make a career out of them. The easiest way to do that, and a way that was in big demand at the time, was through temping. I did the usual pre-temping things: honed my skills, applied to various agencies, looked presentable, had my skills tested, and waited for assignments. And the assignments came. Most agencies at the time did not make a point of telling their clients that they were sending in a male temporary worker. Shouldn’t matter; right? But I was to find out that it did matter and make a difference, in both positive and negative ways.

On greeting me on day 1, most employers were surprised in a good way. It was novel at the time. It was refreshing, for both my employers and me. One employer was happy enough to take me on as a “floater”, and I worked in several departments for them. My time with them included a stint as the admin for the cosmetics department. As fate with have it, my floater job led to my getting my first gig as a software trainer and support person, in the same company. (For those of you who know me personally, I think it’s safe to say the rest is history!)

After I left that company, new temping assignments came up periodically that I was keenly interested in, and more than qualified to fulfill. Just as periodically, I was not even considered for those positions. Trying to find out ‘why’ had me running into many dead ends. Eventually, in confidence, someone I knew at one of the agencies revealed that on pitching me to one of her clients, she was instructed by them to *only* send in female candidates.

The thing that irked me about that kind of discrimination was that I could not fathom how my hard and soft skills could possibly be related to my gender. I enjoyed doing what I did. I knew what I was good at, proficient in, and I knew how I dealt with all stakeholders in a company, both internal and external. Here’s something: I also knew that my being a male admin did not bother me.

Fast-forward to today: I am still involved in core administrative work. And the future looks great for someone in my chosen profession.

Any woman or man–anyone with the requisite skills, experience, dedication and intelligence–can train for and become a successful VA if it is right for them. I am one of those ‘anyones’. In the short time I’ve been a VA, I have run into some interesting, and mostly positive experiences as being one of a handful of male virtual assistants. Guys, I would like to see more of us in this field!

Today, I wanted to introduce you to a field that is thriving, and growing, and that embraces all who hold the same values. While becoming a VA should be (and is) a genderless proposition, I feel compelled to say something about the field that does stem from gender.

I am working in a profession alongside mostly female colleagues. Hands down, this field is positively influenced by feminine principles, and guided by that wisdom, intelligence, and compassion. That doesn’t mean that I do not bring a few positive male attributes to my virtual office everyday: I do. But it does mean that both women and men in this field will benefit from working in a healthy environment, with sound and beneficial principles. And if we benefit from that, the most logical and helpful thing we can do is to share the wealth.

Comments

[Kathie Thomas, A Clayton's Secretary]

Did you know that women were not considered to have the 'constitution' to first start out in this industry? In those times secretaries were called 'typewriters' after the machinery they were using. Haven't we come a long way?

It's great to have you in the industry of VAs!

[Linda Melcher]

Here, here, Rob. I've encouraged a friend of mine to check out AssistU. He is a great administrative assistant, and has the skills and personality to be a great VA. I'm sending him this article. Thanks for writing it. :)

LM

[Rob Neilly]

Kathie, Linda~

Thank you for taking time to comment on my "male" remarks!

I can't say I've ever been called a "typewriter" (but have used some in my day).

But I can say, slightly off topic, that in my 'other' role as a teacher I feel very much like the "meat" some days; a talking head occupying a classroom. I'm very glad I *do not* feel that way in the VA field!

So share and send away! It's easy for me to be passionate about such a great field.

Rob