I'd be happy if he got a job with benefits that was a decent salary.

Anonymous wrote:I will say it here because it’s anonymous, it unless there’s some really special circumstance where the admin assistant role is crucial to having before you move up (haven’t seen one), I’d be disappointed if after college any one I know (myself included but including my daughter or son) chose this as their first professional role.

People tend to tell women to do this to get their foot in the door. They less often say it to men.

I think the admins at my work are smart. The good ones, I enjoy working with. I do not think it’s a post-college entry level role to aspire to, so for that alone I would be disappointed.

I'm in the entertainment and publishing sector. For decades, working in the mailroom at the William Morris Agency was the path to success in Hollywood - David Geffen, Barry Diller, and so on - future billionaires all delivering mail. In the magazine world, fact-checker at the New Yorker was the intro to that world. I'm thinking Jay McInerney and Bright Lights, Big City back in the day. Editorial Assistant at Random House was a golden ticket.

The people that started in those humble jobs 30/40 years ago are the people that are molding your minds today.

It really isn't any different now. Just somewhat different companies in a somewhat different entertainment environment. The critical thing is getting your foot in the door.

And if you are too snooty to do the groundwork, it's not happening for you as a career in entertainment or media generally. And I imagine it's the same in other industries.

There really aren't many 22 year olds that add value to anything. It's about seizing opportunities.

I will say it here because it’s anonymous, it unless there’s some really special circumstance where the admin assistant role is crucial to having before you move up (haven’t seen one), I’d be disappointed if after college any one I know (myself included but including my daughter or son) chose this as their first professional role.

People tend to tell women to do this to get their foot in the door. They less often say it to men.

I think the admins at my work are smart. The good ones, I enjoy working with. I do not think it’s a post-college entry level role to aspire to, so for that alone I would be disappointed.

I don’t know what the difference in my disappointment would be between my DC graduating from a public or private college and then becoming gainfully employed in an entry level job but the answer is no.

There is a problem when the workforce thinks they should be C-Suite after six months of experience. There is nothing wrong with starting in an entry level position.

My first job was an admin assistant in publishing. Those were days where if you were smart you got quickly promoted.

My first three jobs out of college (totally 3-4 years) had either “administrative assistant” or “program assistant” as job titles. Then I finally got to be a “coordinator.”

Fine with me! In this labor market, they are very lucky to find a job. They must be an excellent candidate.

No! got to start somewhere!

Anonymous wrote:Your DC finished a private college and chose to become an administrative assistant? Or would be satisfied that they were simply employed?

It wouldn't be an issue at all. In a lot of industries, that's how you get your foot in the door and make some contacts. I would appreciate the hustle. Do well and be reliable in that position - plus be smart, and a nice person - and good things usually follow.

As a parent, I'd be very pleased if they showed some hustle and discipline - and humility. They'll do fine as long as they keep their eye on larger goals.

I can think of several people younger than me who started out more junior on our teams as executive assistants and have far surpassed me career wise. They became:
- a gates foundation exec
- a key aide to Kamala Harris
- a marketing manager at Netflix
- digital director at vodaphone overseas

Why are you asking this, OP? Is this your child or are you judging someone else's child?