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| Tell us about your role and the organisation you work for. |
My current role is Executive Assistant (EA) to the Group General Manager of IT Managed Services (GGM IT MS) at Qantas Airways Limited. Qantas is Australia's leading airline, employing approximately 33,000 staff worldwide.
| How did you get here, we’d love to know about your career so far? |
Straight out of the Metropolitan Business College I worked for various diverse industries in the capacity of Secretary (the EA title didn't exist way back then!). Each role was exciting, enhancing my career and enabling me to achieve what I have so far. Some of my most exciting roles were held at: The NSW Institute of Technology, Trimex Australia, Stacks Sports Warehouse, Australian Defence Industries and of course Qantas Airways Limited.
I had originally accepted an Administration Assistant role 9 years ago within the Qantas Internal Audit Department where I stayed for 2 years before accepting a role as EA to the Chief Information Officer (CIO). I held this position for 6 years before taking on my current EA role.
| What do you like most about your role? |
I love working in my current EA role as my manager is cheerful, he trusts my judgement, he's very flexible and appreciative of everything I do for him AND he's a great mentor.
| What do you find most challenging about your role? |
Keeping two steps ahead of my manager to ensure his diary is always up to date (giving him time to focus on more crucial matters) and coordinating international and domestic travel.
| Do you have any tricks/tips or have you discovered a new “can’t live without” gadget that you would like to share with your fellow PA Pages members? |
The EA role is an extremely demanding one, but when taken seriously, dedication and loyalty pays off in the long run.....people do notice your efforts.
I LOVE my Blackberry.....!!! It gives me flexibility and enables me to handle situations as they arise...rather than coming into the office in the morning only to be greeted by a sea of red emails, last minute requests and panic.
| PA Pages gets a lot of enquiries from people who would like to become PA’s but don’t know which steps to take. Do you have any advice for these people? |
Believe in yourself and take the opportunity to enhance your skills by doing a course specifically designed for PAs, probably at TAFE. Establish and maintain a good network. Don't be afraid to step out of your comfort zone and be prepared to start at the bottom - every bit of experience counts!.
| And finally … do you have a favourite lunch spot? |
Absolutely....Tony's at La Perouse - fresh food and excellent service, every time! | 
