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. |
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