OFFICE ASSISTANT
Maria came to the United States from Cuba when she was eleven years old. As a child, she learned English quickly. Her fluency in English and Spanish is an asset at her worksite.
OFFICE ASSISTANT
Maria came to the United States from Cuba when she was eleven years old. As a child, she learned English quickly. Her fluency in English and Spanish is an asset at her worksite. |
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Students: What training did you need for your job? Maria: I attended an office skills training program for six months, 8:00 to 3:00, every day. I learned the Microsoft Office programs, some desktop publishing, and reviewed grammar and writing rules for business purposes. I had experience working in an office before, but I did not have computer skills. I felt that learning the computerized office applications would help me to get a better job. |
Students: How did you get your job? Maria: The teacher of the Integrated Office Skills program heard that they needed a secretary at the Workforce Center. She asked me if I was interested and then recommended me for the job. We wrote resumes in class, and I put together a portfolio of samples of office work that I was able to do. I interviewed with the program manager and then with the principal of the adult school. After they told me I was hired, I had to meet with the the director of personnel to discuss salary and benefits. |
Students: What are your duties? Maria: I am the secretary for the program manager, but I also work for the counselors in the department and the teachers in the literacy program. I do a lot of telephone work, letter writing, purchase orders, some spreadsheets, desktop publishing and whatever else the program manager needs me to do. |
Students: What do you like about your job? Maria: I have a wonderful boss! She is fair, patient, and all the things you want a boss to be. My job is close to my home. It only takes me between ten and fifteen minutes to commute. I have great benefits, hospitalization, vacation, and pension. My coworkers are nice. |
Students: What don't you like about your job? Maria: Sometimes I get a lot of work at once. But people are patient, and they understand that I am doing it as quickly as I can. |
| Students: Do you have any
advice for people looking for a job? Maria: I know that it is not easy to find a job, but speaking two languages is an advantage. I am often called upon to translate for people who come to our agency. |
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For information about this web page, contact kerval@bergen.org.
Kerren Vallone, Bergen County Technical School at Bergen Workforce Center,
Hackensack, New Jersey 07601
Last updated 9-6-99