What type of company do you work for?

[claudiamag]

I don't mean what is your company, I mean what type of company is it.  My very first job was at an engineering company - construction engineering specifically.  I worked for the head engineer. 

My job was for a supermarket chain - short lived.  The next job was for a mattress manufacturing place.  There I worked for the COO, who had a master's in design engineering.  The next job after that (and my favorite job ever) was for another engineering company - environmental engineering.  There I worked for the Executive Vice President who has a doctorate in environmental engineering.

My job now - I work for a manufacturing plant in the automotive industry.  I work for the COO of the Latin America region who, you guessed it, has a doctorate in industrial engineering.

So I obviously gravitate towards engineers (my last two boyfriends - ALSO engineers).  I think that's how my mind works and that's how my mind works.  So I'm wondering if any of you have worked constantly in a same industry or if you have moved around between different type of industries?

[Atlanta Z3]

Last five years in Health Care (in house corporate legal department)
Prior industries:
Executive Recruiting (enjoyed this position, lots of challenges)
Insurance (hopefully never again)
Credit Union (supported president, interesting position)
Real Estate (project management: land acquisition through turn over building to owner)
Publishing (distribution and sales)

One my favorites facts about being an executive assistant (or legal assistant) is that we aren't tied to one field, our skills transfer to most industries.  That's not to say we don't specialize, learn business terminology or technology!

[jkavanagh]

First company - shorthand typist/clerk for a glazing company
Second company - shorthand typist for a bank
Third company - several positions as I worked there for 20 years. Started as shorthand/typist in office services/admin/co secretary department, with cover for MD's secretary. Eventually ended up in IT, as technical support/secretary/trainer. (Thoroughly enjoyed that one, and had a dishy boss  )
Fourth company - team secretary to surveyors for construction company - could do better, but too lazy to find a job which pays more, as I'd have to commute into London, this job is currently only a 10 min drive away.

[Cozwaz]

Starting with first company I worked for:-

Concert Hall - Director's Assistant
Car Auctioneers - Secretary
Recruitment as a Recruiter then bought the business and ran it myself.
Building & Design Company - PA to the MD
Private Individual - PA - Dream Job

with the odd bit of temping here and there for all sorts of businesses.

[Katie G]

I lasted two years as a teacher.
Then, five years with a warehouse doing customer service, shipping, credits, etc. 
Past fifteen years in higher education administration (at my alma mater, no less!). It's had its ups and downs, but overall a good place.  Recently got a new boss and I think we're on a path to working well together.

And, oh yeah, been away for a while -- hi everyone!

[diamondlady]

Welcome back Katie!!!

[tIvana]

This topic might be dead but I decided to include my input.
I came from a complaints department in our representative for a large telecommunications company. Had to do a course/certificates when came to the UK to prove that I can do any admin job. Whilst studding for an Exec PA I worked in a big oxford circus retail store for 7 months - hated it. Then obtained a college administrator job in the college I did my degree. It was a privatly held college for Secretarial/PA diplomas. Really enjoyed the private qualification filed, great colleagues, students and experience.
Moved for greater salary as corporate receptionist for a security company and after 3 months became the head receptionist. After two years joined the managment team as fm administrator in the same building and work for a the largest globaly property managing agent. Commercial properties. Enjoy it very much but still want to move as a PA/EA to only one individual as I currently support 4 members of the team and sometimes their opinions on the same toopic clash and confront.  Being on the edge all the time is a bit tiring.