Tier 2 _ CareerUp _ How Building Connections Helped Me Level Up in Admin Work

1. How Building Connections Helped Me Level Up in Admin Work If I could go back and talk to my younger self, just a few weeks into my first office administration jobs, I’d say this: Being excellent at your job won’t matter if no one knows you’re capable of more. I thought all I needed to grow was to follow instructions, double-check emails, and always say yes. But I was wrong. Real growth came when I started to connect with people. Colleagues, mentors, and fellow admin workers in and outside the office. Those relationships quietly opened doors that my resume alone couldn’t. I Didn’t Know “Being Seen” Mattered So Much In my first role, I kept to myself. I was afraid of doing something wrong or looking “too ambitious.” So, I stuck to my list: answer phones, book meetings, send reports. I thought that was enough. But one day, a new hire got invited to help lead a small internal project. I was surprised, and to be honest, a little hurt. I had been there longer. I worked just as hard. What I didn’t realize then was this. She talked to people. She asked questions. She attended mixers. She showed up. That’s when I began to understand that being visible does not mean being loud. It means connecting with purpose.

2. A Casual Invite That Changed the Game It started with a teammate who said, “Hey, want to come to this admin and HR meetup with me?” I almost said no. I was tired and shy. But I showed up. At that event, I met people with all kinds of admin job experiences. Front desk officers, executive assistants, logistics coordinators. They shared how they survived their first year and grew into leadership roles. I learned how they handled unspoken expectations, office politics, and demanding bosses. One woman shared how she automated her weekly reports with a simple spreadsheet trick. Another talked about how she negotiated for better tools to manage her department’s schedules. I realized then that admin work is not just support. It is strategic when done right. That event didn’t just teach me. It connected me. Forums, Group Chats, and Learning the Unwritten Rules After that, I started joining online spaces. Facebook groups for admins, LinkedIn forums, and even small Telegram circles. In those quiet corners of the internet, people talked about the real stuff. ● How to handle toxic office culture ● How to write polite but firm emails

3. ● How to manage last-minute requests without burning out These groups gave me the courage to speak up and try new approaches at work. When I once panicked over planning a department birthday surprise with two days’ notice, someone from the group messaged me a plug-and-play checklist. It was a lifesaver. I never felt alone again. If you’re reading this and unsure where to start, join just one group. Ask a question. Drop a thank-you comment. That is networking already. LinkedIn Helped Me Reach Outside the Office I used to treat LinkedIn like a digital resume. But when I started following local HR leaders and admin experts, I realized how powerful it could be for making connections and learning from others. I once messaged someone whose admin post really resonated with me. She replied. Weeks later, she sent me a job post. Something I never would’ve seen elsewhere. Because of her, I became aware of Clark job hiring opportunities that were not even listed yet. That showed me the value of building quiet but strong relationships online. Sometimes, one message can lead to your next big step. My First Mentor: A Quiet Force Who Changed Everything One of the best parts about networking is that you meet people who understand what you are going through. Because they have been there too. I met my first mentor through a forum. She had been an executive assistant for over a decade. When I asked her how to manage tasks from multiple bosses, she didn’t just give me generic advice. She taught me her real system. Color-coded calendars. Buffer times. A three-sentence email format to ask for clarifications without sounding rude. She also warned me about signs of burnout and shared how she negotiated a workload balance early in her career. Without her, I would’ve fumbled through those hard moments alone. Lessons I Live By (And Wish I Knew Earlier)

4. Here’s what I would tell any fresh grad or early-career admin today. These are lessons I picked up through trial, error, and from listening to people who had been where I was. ● Don’t wait to be invited: When I was starting out, I thought I had to earn the right to speak up or join certain conversations. But you grow faster when you take initiative. Attend an HR or admin event even if you feel like you don’t belong yet. Say yes to opportunities that stretch you. Whether it is volunteering for a small office committee or joining a free webinar, these moments build your confidence and visibility. ● Ask real questions. There were times I stayed quiet even though I was confused, just to avoid looking inexperienced. But whenever I asked sincere questions, people were willing to help. Most of the time, they were figuring things out too. Whether it is asking a coworker how they organize their inbox or reaching out to someone online about their admin career, asking is how you grow. ● Give, not just take. Networking goes both ways. Share what you’ve learned, even if you are still new. Someone out there is looking for what you just figured out. Comment on posts, recommend resources, or start a thread with helpful tips. Giving creates trust, and trust leads to opportunity. ● Use LinkedIn wisely. LinkedIn is not just for jobseekers. It is where you build your network, stay updated, and find your community. Follow people in your industry. Leave meaningful comments. Send a short message to someone who inspires you. A small connection can turn into something big. ● Look beyond your company. Sometimes, we think we can only grow where we are. But there is a much bigger world out there. Especially if you are based in Region 3, explore local opportunities. Jobs in Clark Pampanga are growing, and many companies are looking for admin professionals

5. who are not only efficient but also engaged in their industry. Employers notice those who show initiative and take part in the community. The sooner you learn that relationships are just as important as skills, the sooner you’ll build a real career, not just perform tasks. If You’re Just Starting Out… You don’t have to figure everything out on your own. There is a whole community of admin pros who have been in your shoes. Some are just one message, comment, or group chat away. So let me ask you. What’s one connection you’ve made recently that helped you in your admin journey? Or what’s stopping you from reaching out today? Let’s keep the conversation going. Someone out there may be ready to help—you just have to say hi.