Our Virtual Assistant Spotlight Series focuses on members of Meadows Resources Virtual Assistant Team and how they came to decide a career in virtual administration was the best fit for them. Below we speak with Adrianna:
When did you decide you wanted to be a virtual assistant and what made you consider the change?
I worked as a regular administrative assistant multiple times in my career in college and after college. I was hired to run the United States business development for a company in Canada and began working virtually. I had the entire US in my territory, and this was my biggest position that was 100% virtual.
I met my co-workers, went to London, trained in New York, and after that, I was working from a home-office. I worked very well in a virtual capacity. Beyond the US development, I also supported a non-profit, but almost all I did was virtual work.
I have a lot of experience working remotely and the opportunity that came up to do assistant work, such as booking travel, spreadsheets, and a vast variety of tasks, I thought could be something great for me to do because to work with clients remotely allows me the flexibility to do what I do. I have a child now; it’s a lot easier for me if I wanted to travel to do it. Lifestyle change made me re-evaluate things, and I wanted to continue to do work virtually.
What were your first thoughts when researching the scope of work of a virtual assistant?
My first thoughts were that it would be something interesting for me just to have the variety of work available to me. What came to mind is that I could do a variety of things: update spreadsheets, lead generation, return emails, book travel. It appealed to me that every day I could be doing something different. I like working on projects and working with clients, and I love the flexibility and the opportunity to put hours in and expel good work.
I would say the variety is great in virtual work to keep my skills sharp. You do so many different things, often you do one position for a while, but with virtual work, it is nice to know you can keep sharp in a variety of different skills.
What ultimately made you decide this was the right career choice for you?
It was a mix of everything. Once I had been working remotely, and I was kind of used to the schedule and used to how I would get my work done and how my dad would start, it stuck. Once I was good at working remotely, then it just became more of a lifestyle situation. If the right opportunity came up, I would want to take the assignment. I was already used to telecommuting, so then it just came up in terms of the right opportunity.
How did Meadows Resources help with the entire process of becoming trained in virtual administration?
Lindsey knows I am experienced, but she still did give me some virtual training I plan to do. I am excited to do the training because I am curious to see what is in the training and additional skills and methods.
What advice would you give to anyone on the fence about switching their career or simply becoming a virtual assistant out of college?
To be perfectly honest, I wouldn’t recommend virtual work for someone right out of college. I think it’s important to have that experience working in a traditional office or working by not telecommuting to have that comparison and know the inner-workings of an office.
Even as a virtual, you need to know how to work as part of a team. It’s important to intern or work outside the virtual realm. Remote work is best for someone with experience already. It doesn’t have to be specific to the task, but someone who has experience in the workforce and have the discipline to work from home and has communication skills to work remotely that you do not use in a traditional office setting.
I think it is perfect for anyone looking to transition due to lifestyle. Virtual assistant work attracts people from all backgrounds with different experience, lifestyle, families, and location in which they live. Some locations may not have same opportunities, so virtual work allows clients to get a talent pool of individuals. You need to be organized and have a system on how you go about daily tasks. Sometimes you work harder remotely; I find that I work a lot harder since I started working virtually.
How could someone that is considering switching benefit from Meadows Resources?
Lindsey has this very great virtual training program. I know she has me looking at it even though I have experience, but it teaches virtuals what they need to know to get started. She is hands-on and helpful.
What makes Meadows Resources different is that Lindsey is committed to the training portion as well as the hiring and placement.
Bio:
Adrianna Allen is a consultant and virtual business professional. Adrianna is a graduate of New York University, where she received a B.A. from the Gallatin School of Individualized Study. Utilizing her significant experience in sales, marketing, fundraising, public relations and real estate, she supports various clients in all aspects of business development.
Her career has embodied an extensive spectrum of experience. She managed a full-service boutique public relations firm specializing in traditional and “green” PR and supported a global fintech company as Manager of U.S. Business Development. Adrianna’s social entrepreneurial endeavors include co-creating “Growing Sounds”, the concert division of Growing Power, fundraising for multiple initiatives including facilitating participation in several global events including the New York Times Building Sustainable Cities and Ted Talks.
Adrianna enjoys travel, the arts and spending time with her family.
To book Adrianna to work with your business please schedule a discover call HERE.
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