In 1972, I was hired as a receptionist-secretary to work full-time in the Personnel Office in a small local hospital in St. Louis, Missouri. I was just completing requirements at a local junior college where I would receive my Associate in Applied Science Degree in Secretarial Procedures. I had worked part-time jobs to help pay for my tuition while attending school and I was still living at home with my parents. I felt that this was a great accomplishment and I would be satisfied for a long time with the occupation I chose. I would be able to get a job, as there would always be a need for someone who has secretarial skills. I had no future plans to go back to school to further my education.

While working in the Personnel Office, I became discontented. I wanted a job that would give me more status, responsibility, and more money. The first time I was interviewed by the Personnel Manager, he had alluded to the fact that I might be considered for an interviewer position in the Personnel Office at a later date. Here it was five years later and that never materialized. Eventually, I was told that my position would never be upgraded.

I decided to try to climb the ladder of success in this small hospital. I began applying for jobs within the hospital. My progress and promotion(s) were very slow. An opportunity did come along in 1975, when I was approached by the director of the school of nursing department to transfer to her department and become her administrative secretary. Two years later I still was not satisfied with my advancement.

I started thinking I needed more education. This would give me more creditability for better positions and higher paying jobs. In 1977, I was awarded a four-year woman’s career scholarship from Washington University. Here I am again, going back to school, trying to earn a Bachelor in Science Degree in Human Resources, and holding down a full-time job doing the day. During that time, I was promoted to administrative assistant. This position involved supervision of part-time-clerical-evening staff and student workers. This promotion came about because I had written a memo to the Executive Director of Human Resources, also, sending a revised copy of my job description, asking that my position be considered for upgrading. I had talked to the Director of the School of Nursing prior to this, but she did not see the need to pursue my request. A couple of months later, a new Director of Human Resources was appointed, and he decided to review my job description and I was promoted to Administrative Assistant. My websites are tiptopwebsite.com and
samsbiz.com.