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Chandra, Chief Administrative Officer at Christ-Centered Ministries: Advize Career Interview
This interview with a Chief Administrative Officer at Christ-Centered Ministries reveals a unique and inspiring career journey.
Starting with volunteer work and leveraging a natural aptitude for administrative tasks, the individual built a multifaceted career without following a traditional path.
The role involves extensive communication, property management, and operational oversight within a 24/7 ministry, requiring strong organizational skills, adaptability, and tech savviness.
The greatest rewards are the ability to contribute directly to the organization's mission and the unexpected opportunities for growth within the nonprofit sector.
Advice for students includes pursuing diverse electives, seeking internships and volunteering, and embracing a proactive approach to networking.
The individual's experience highlights the value of starting at entry-level positions, the importance of work-life balance, and the significant contributions of women of color in leadership roles.
This career path showcases the possibility of significant impact and career fulfillment through a blend of administrative expertise and dedication to a meaningful mission.
Advizer Information
Name
Job Title
Company
Undergrad
Grad Programs
Majors
Industries
Job Functions
Traits
Chandra Williams
Chief Administrative Officer
Christ-Centered Ministries
El Camino then did UCLA Executive Education program - 2021
UCLA Executive Education- Business Management Cert
Business Management & Admin
Faith-Based Services
Operations and Project Management
Worked 20+ Hours in School
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Career Path Of A Chief Administrative Officer At Christ-Centered Ministries
Chandra's career path was unconventional, starting with volunteer work through their church and assisting their grandmother's business, where they discovered a "gift" for administrative tasks. This early experience, combined with a pragmatic approach to college coursework, led to a series of roles that built upon this talent, eventually culminating in their current position as Chief Administrative Officer without following a traditional career trajectory.
Chief Administrative Officer Responsibilities at Christ-Centered Ministries
As Chief Administrative Officer at Christ-Centered Ministries, Chandra's role is highly multifaceted, encompassing "a whole lot of paperwork" and acting as a central point of contact for all business-related communications, vendor management, and property oversight (managing "25-30 properties"). This includes representing the organization at events and liaising extensively with executives, the board of directors, and various departments to ensure smooth operational flow.
A Day In The Life Of A Chief Administrative Officer At Christ-Centered Ministries
Chandra's day as Chief Administrative Officer at Christ-Centered Ministries involves constant communication with leadership—"morning calls to see where we are"—and addressing urgent issues across their 24/7 operations, including transitional housing. A significant portion of the day is dedicated to internal processes, such as reviewing standard operating procedures and managing properties, reflecting the organization's growth and Chandra's role in building its foundational structures.
Most Important Skills For a Chief Administrative Officer at Christ-Centered Ministries
Chandra, a Chief Administrative Officer, emphasizes the crucial need for organizational skills and prioritization in handling "multiple crises," highlighting the importance of delegation to maximize efficiency. Further, adaptability, tech savviness, and resourcefulness—"just say hey, let me go figure out how to get it done"—are essential for success in this multifaceted role.
Favorite Parts of Being a Chief Administrative Officer at Christ-Centered Ministries
Chandra, Chief Administrative Officer at Christ-Centered Ministries, finds immense fulfillment in their role, connecting their administrative skills to the organization's core mission of helping people; this allows them to be a "huge part of the purpose" and "problem solver," even amidst challenges. The multifaceted nature of the administrative work, enabling collaboration and skill development across various organizational aspects, provides a consistently rewarding experience, punctuated by the satisfaction of "accomplishing something" daily.
Biggest Challenges Faced By A Chief Administrative Officer At Christ-Centered Ministries
Chandra, Chief Administrative Officer at Christ-Centered Ministries, identifies maintaining work-life balance as the biggest challenge in their role, emphasizing the importance of "keeping healthy and whole" to serve as a positive role model for others. This includes setting boundaries and prioritizing family time through scheduled vacations and regular evenings/weekends off, demonstrating a commitment to holistic well-being alongside professional success.
Favorite Parts Of Working In The Non-Profit Industry As A Chief Administrative Officer
Chandra, a Chief Administrative Officer, finds the greatest reward in their industry to be "so much possibility," a realization that evolved from initial perceptions of administrative work as limited. This unexpected career trajectory, from administrative assistant to board member positions at organizations like the Los Angeles Mission and UCLA Anderson alumni, showcases the unforeseen opportunities within the field.
What Type Of Person Thrives In The Non-Profit Industry, According To A Chief Administrative Officer At Christ-Centered Ministries
To thrive in this industry, resourcefulness is key; the ability to face challenges with a "quietly...start googling and using tools" approach is crucial, as demonstrated by a past experience where Chandra successfully navigated a demanding situation by independently learning new software, exceeding expectations. This proactive problem-solving approach, rather than expressing limitations, is highly valued.
What A Chief Administrative Officer At Christ-Centered Ministries Wishes They Had Known Before Entering The Nonprofit Industry
Chandra, a Chief Administrative Officer, learned that the nonprofit administrative sector offers "a lot more possibility" and career growth than initially anticipated. They wish someone had emphasized their inherent value and the significant contributions of their role, advising others to "not limit yourself" to a narrow view of career paths within the industry.
Entry-level positions for aspiring Chief Administrative Officers
Chandra, a Chief Administrative Officer, suggests entry-level positions like Administrative Assistant or data analyst roles as good starting points, emphasizing the value of "starting from the bottom and growing with an organization." The interviewee highlights the advantages of joining a smaller, growing ministry, allowing for varied experiences and career trajectory shifts, mentioning opportunities in human resources or operations as potential pathways.
Career Lesson from Chief Administrative Officer at Christ Centered Ministries
Chandra's undergraduate success stemmed from exploring diverse electives, "keeping options open," and actively seeking internships and volunteer opportunities, emphasizing the importance of networking and self-investment beyond academics. This proactive approach, including "just asking" for opportunities, laid a strong foundation for a successful career as a Chief Administrative Officer.
How Identity Has Influenced A Chief Administrative Officer's Career At Christ-Centered Ministries
Chandra, a Chief Administrative Officer, emphasizes the importance of "stay[ing] so connected" during undergraduate studies by exploring diverse elective classes and actively seeking internships and volunteer opportunities, even through informal means like asking "can I go to work with you one day?". This proactive approach, combined with self-compassion, allowed Chandra to build a strong foundation for their career, proving that success stems not just from academics but from actively investing in oneself.
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