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.
Executive/Leadership, Career Development, Overcoming Challenges, Communication, Networking
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
Video Highlights
1. The administrative field offers many possibilities and career paths beyond what one might initially assume.
2. Chandra's career trajectory demonstrates significant growth from an administrative assistant to a Chief Administrative Officer, showcasing the potential for advancement in this field.
3. The role provides opportunities to gain valuable experience and knowledge in various areas, including board governance, leading to opportunities to serve on multiple boards.
Transcript
What do you enjoy most about being in your industry?
I enjoy most the fact that there's so much possibility. I think I was very limited in my understanding as a young person of what administration looked like and what it could look like.
I thought I didn't want to be a secretary my whole life, and that there were caps and ceilings to my role or field. I didn't want to commit myself to that; I wanted to do something more fun, something that changed and looked different every day.
But I pretty much realized that there's actually so much possibility, and that was a surprise to me. I started as an admin person, then an assistant, then an Executive Administrative Assistant. At some point, I was a corporate administrator.
Finally, it shifted, and I got the chance to have the role I do now, Chief Administrative Officer. You have to challenge yourself to elevate and ask how you can make that better or how you can elevate yourself with what you do.
I think this industry definitely has possibilities that people don't really realize. I've also had the opportunity to sit on multiple boards, which is exciting and something I didn't realize my role or this industry would lead into.
As an admin person, you get to sit in a lot of meetings you're not necessarily a part of, but you're taking notes for. Doing that, you grasp these different things and learn a lot more about boards and high-level governance.
Now, I sit on the board for the Los Angeles Mission, for UCLA Anderson alumni, and for Saint The Movement, plus a couple of small startup boards. I think this is definitely because of the industry I came up in and through.