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Welcome to The Admin Avenues Podcast!
In each episode, I’ll be chatting with inspiring Australian admin professionals, expert advisors, and a few surprise guests you won’t want to miss.
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Episode 4: Sharmayne
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Candice: Hello and welcome back to the Admin Avenues podcast. I'm your host, Candace Bernham, and today I have special guest Charmaine Risely from the Brisbane Convention and Exhibition Center, which is very fondly known to us as the BCEC. And today we're gonna be talking to Charmaine about redefining longevity in the admin profession, which is a big, big part of my heart and topic for this, profession.
So Charmaine, first of all, welcome to the show. Thank you so much for chatting with us.
Sharmayne: Thanks for having me, Candace.
Candice: I'm very, very happy to be able to tell this story because throughout my career, people would always say to me, what are you gonna do next? And I was like, what do you mean? And they're like, well,, you're an ea so what's next?
So I'm like, no, this is it for me. I love it. ~This is, ~I'm making a career out of this. And I think for the longest time people didn't think that it was a career. It was always just a stepping stone. But you have just celebrated an incredible 28 years with the BCEC. I mean, that level of longevity is rare in this profession.
I mean, as I said to you at the AOP Brisbane event, I haven't even committed to a phone plan longer, the three months or three years. So how does it feel? Like what, like to reflect on that kind of milestone?
Sharmayne: Well, it feels a bit surreal actually. It, it doesn't feel like 28 years. It really doesn't, , but when I think of my daughter who's about to turn 29, then I think, oh yeah, it really has been that long.
it's been a really fun ride so far. I look, I dunno if I'll do another 28 years,
Candice: Fair, fair.
Sharmayne: but it's certainly far from over for me.
I'm, I'm sticking around for a while yet.
Candice: I love that. I love that. so you mentioned your daughter. Did you work in a member for your daughter or did you enter the workforce after? Yeah. Let's talk about career beginnings. Tell me, go back, tell me everything. Where'd it start?
Sharmayne: Well, it, really started, by accident. My three older sisters all went into a nursing profession. and I listened to their stories and thought, there's no way I'm doing that. Are you kidding? But I didn't have a clue what to do. , My dad worked as an engineer in a, of all things, a milk factory on the Gold Coast, and he got me a job doing data entry on a tape machine, which is as boring and repetitive as it sounds.
But I was in an office and I liked the office environment straight away. , So after that I worked in admin in lots of different industries, insurance architects. The architects actually had this really groovy office in Sydney in a closed graveyard, which was terrific fun. At lunchtime, I'd wander around and read all these incredible tombstones from like the 18 hundreds and early 19 hundreds.
It was great. Um, I kept trying to see if I'd trip over like Henry Lawson or something like that, but I never did. Um, and I've worked for global accounting companies, sports marketing companies, and a, um, a company who developed Australia's very first workplace childcare and we produced a book and all that kind of thing.
So lots of different things before finally finding my way back to Brisbane and to BCC.
Candice: So what, what took you to B, C, C
Sharmayne: Uh, well that was another accident. I
Candice: seems to be the way. With admins, we seem to accidentally fall into so many things.
Sharmayne: It does, but it's what we make of it too,
Candice: Yes.
Sharmayne: so I was back in Brisbane and a friend told me she'd seen a PA role advertised at BCEC,
but I'd missed the deadline by two weeks because I wasn't really looking to change positions
Candice: a young baby. Yeah.
Sharmayne: did have a young baby, , but I remember thinking, what a fabulous building.
I just loved that whole roost thing on the other side of the river, you know? So I figured, what do I have to lose? , So I sent my resume in and I followed up with a phone call. So I didn't wait for them to get in touch. And don't forget, this is back in early 1998, so the world was different.
Candice: Was the job in the newspaper?
Sharmayne: Oh, no, I didn't even see it.
A friend told me about it, and it was two weeks later, so I figured they'd employed someone. But anyway, they pulled me in for an interview and I was just amazed at the building. It was so beautiful inside. But the thing that really got me was the people, they, they all looked really, they're all really smartly dressed.
They looked professional and they looked friendly and were smiling, you know, they made eye contact and they smiled and I thought, they really wanna be here. , And I wanted to be part of that, , straight away. And luckily for me, the person that they did offer the role to two weeks earlier, slept for some reason or other, turned it down.
And I was in
Candice: Oh,
see, it was meant to be. Meant to be. And you know, they breed a few lifers there. Like, um, who was it that came and saw the room with us the other day that, um,
Sharmayne: It was Janet
Candice: it was Janice and she's been there for how many years.
Sharmayne: uh, I think she's been here 11 years, but we have, we have a number of staff that have reached the 30 years, so the building is 30 years and they've been here from the very beginning, which speaks volumes
Candice: Yeah. Clearly they're doing something right.
Sharmayne: yeah, for sure.
Candice: yeah, I mean,~ I was gonna say what initially attracted you to the opportunity, but obviously you've just explained that. But I think. What, like,~ did you have like a vibe to be like, yeah, I am ready to go back now. Like, um, it would've been a bit daunting after having a child.
Was it quite flexible back then? Like, I, I don't remember anything being flexible in the nineties.
Sharmayne: No, nothing really was, but this place was definitely, so, uh, the general manager, had daughters, you know, not that older than mine, but not that much older. They were still primary school. And, , they just really understood, you know, when you'd get that letter that you found in the school bag at 10 o'clock the night before saying there's a recorder concert on, really have to be here.
I'd go in and they were fabulous. They were like, oh, you can't miss that. You know, so
Candice: So good.
Sharmayne: I was really lucky it worked. They were very, very flexible long before, , most organizations were so,
Candice: And do you remember like, what the role was back then and like what those earlier days were like? Like , what kind of tech did you have when you first started?
Sharmayne: Oh, really it was, Word and Excel and that kind of thing, but that was it. You know, uh, desk phones, that kind of thing. Email was used as
well.
Candice: I was gonna say, we had the internet
late nineties, didn't we? yeah, not to the extent it is now. So my first role was pa to the events director and, um, oh God, Candace, I was so much outta my depth, like you've no idea. I knew less than nothing about the meanings industry. I didn't even know it existed. I had no idea of the work and the time and the investment that goes into winning conventions and the impact it has on hotels and restaurants and, and. The economic benefit to Brisbane and Queensland is incredible.
Sharmayne: And it just, yeah, I was fascinated right from the start. So, um, I just set out to learn everything I could.
Candice: And so you, how many different roles have you had while you've been in, in BCEC? Do you.
Sharmayne: That's, I officially too, to the events director, and then I moved over to be ea to the general manager who's like c, e and, that's where I,
Candice: That's amazing. Like that just speaks volumes of culture, of how well they treat their people. You've obviously stayed not only in the profession, but with the same organization, oh, and obviously your roles evolved during that time, , what are some of the bigger changes that you've seen in, in, in the role, but also in the profession over the, the past few decades?
Sharmayne: Yeah. Yeah. Well I think, I think the whole center, the whole of BCEC has evolved and does evolve constantly. Like, and that means every single role within it evolves as well. , Nothing stays the same or, you know, we wouldn't have won the best, the world's best convention center. So, you know, we're constantly reviewing and adapting and, and that's something I love.
we don't stand still. We keep going and everybody does the same. So I might sit, occasionally stand now that I've got standup desk,
But. I moved from project to project and challenge to challenge, and I'm surrounded by people ready to jump in and help. So it doesn't matter which department people officially work for, everyone's a team player.
So it's exciting and it's fast and rewarding.
Candice: And so many different things coming through, like
artist exhibitions, shows, musicals, conferences, like it just must be this ever changing tapestry of, and, and the renovations you would've been through over the years. Like the noise, the dust, the,
Sharmayne: Well, actually we do most of our building maintenance during our shutdown period, which is over December, January. So there's no events on and there's no staff, , or just minimal staff. , So that's when most of that is done, but it's a matter of keeping the building looking like it's.
Candice: Yeah. And it does it. Yeah, it does. It's so big.
Sharmayne: Yeah,
Candice: It's,
Sharmayne: it's big, but it does smaller things as well. So, you know, it can do from the very small to the ridiculously large. But yeah, you know, it's, it gets you a real sense of pride when you see people going into the spaces and making it their own. And, , and when you see the building full of people, you know, it's. And the changes there. And you know, there's been so, so many changes really, that I think there's much greater respect now for the role, which is brilliant. Definitely have a seat at the table now, thank goodness. , But I think also people take more responsibility for themselves now, for their own development.
And that's brilliant. That's how it should be. We don't sit in a corner quietly hoping someone will notice us now and, you know, give us a, a promotion or a pay rise or say,
Hey, would you like to lead that project? You know, we, people are, stepping up more now and saying, let me do that. Or, or even, oh, I've already started that project.
I've taken the lead on that. You know, and that, that's just a terrific change. I'm really happy to see that change.
Candice: Yeah. Anyone that I've spoken to that works at DCEC is like, Charmaine is the go-to person. Like Charmaine knows absolutely everything in everyone. It is well known that you are. The person of the BCEC, and I just think that's so lovely to be recognized over so many different parts of the BC that I've talked to.
They're all like, yep, Charmaine is, is the woman. She's the person that you talk to. I think having that respect within an organization and having that exposure that people go, yep, that's the person that knows everyone, everything. I mean, as you would after 28 years. But it's just nice to have that recognition that they, they know that you, you're not just sitting behind your desk hiding in the ivory tower, as I, I used to be called once that when we worked at Channel nine, we had a level where people weren't, they were allowed to come up, but it was very, you know, that old school packet era.
It had its own vibe, its own biscuits, its own everything like it. People were scared to come up. , And it's nice to know that, kind of gone in the admin, well, not even admin in businesses where everyone's allowed to come up and everyone's allowed to be involved. Tell me when you like go away and stuff, do you like swap, not swap roles, but like cover each other and whatnot as well,
so there's different
exposure?
Sharmayne: definitely, try to, it's not always possible and you, and you're always aware that people had their own workloads, so, tread carefully. But that help is always there. people are always saying, you know, what can I do? What can I take off you to do that?
Which is just brilliant. You know? It's,
Candice: Even if it's just they can help out by bringing the board packs in or doing, you know, just those small things that mean such a big difference of if you can't be in the office, someone else can do it for you. It makes all the difference. What about hybrid? Is that a thing
Sharmayne: Not
Candice: is it a bit hard with
Sharmayne: Yeah. Yeah, it probably is a bit hard. so
Candice: much coming and going, like I don't think people understand. Let's do a little debrief of the B cec For people that don't understand. It's the largest convention center that hosts events, conferences, anything, any type of event. Awards, nights, like everything
Sharmayne: School formals to, to international conferences, to public exhibitions, to concerts,, to boardroom lunches, to, yeah.
Candice: so you've got that part of it. Then you've got a massive parking. As well. Well, you've got the loading bay that's always running. You've got people coming and going. There is obviously the security aspect of that as well. There's the big reception down area. You've got the cafe on site, like it's a bigger business than I think what people understand.
Yeah,
Sharmayne: Yeah. It is a big business. And like I was saying before, it can take years to win a convention, , and see it. Come to fruition, you know, like literally years, like first of all, you have to win it for Australia and then for Brisbane, , and then for BCEC. So there's a lot of moving parts and a lot of people, lot of people involved.
We have over 200 full-time staff and we can go up to 600 casualty members, but, , more
Candice: it's all hands
on deck. yeah,
I can
Sharmayne: lots of different departments as well.
Candice: And as you said, all those businesses underneath you at, around you that must rely on your shows and events that they can, you know, have pre dinner drinks or pre-the drinks or, dinners. Like, it's, it's a little economy there. Like it's,
and it's
also just such a beautiful part of the world.
Like you've got the big, oversee the river, you've got the big, um, what is it like the Brisbane eye,
the merry-go-round. You've got, the new, what, what is it across the road? The glass one? Yeah. That's.
just been built like a year in a beautiful area.
I digress. I digress. This is not about that, that's about you. I'm so excited because we're coming up there, listeners, we're, we're hosting our, , conference and awards night there, so I've spent a bit of time there checking out every angle and every bit of how we can immerse ourselves in every part of the building.
So that's why I'm a little bit too excited about the VCEC.
But back to you, , what do you reckon have been some of like the biggest challenges you've had to see happen through the admin profession over the past time? Like, do you feel like it took a while for you to get your seat at the table? Do you feel like it took a while for people to understand that it's helpful to have admins in the room for big meetings and important meetings?
Like what do you feel is those kind of challenges that you're like, yep, we've nailed that now.
Sharmayne: Yeah, I do think it took a while. you know, when I look back on, my early years before BCEC, I loved reception. I love being a receptionist and I was
Candice: So did I.
Sharmayne: Yeah,
it's actually a good role, isn't it?, Because you, you really are central and, um, you know, and if you're worth your salt, you'll put your hand up and you'll find work to do.
So you're learning different industries that way. And, and it's really interesting. But I was, I was working for the architects and the CEO there saw that I was taking my phone messages or any notes in shorthand, , this a long time ago. and so he was super excited. So all of a sudden I was his PA and then I went, oh, this is, you know, I don't mind this.
So off I went on that trajectory. , but yeah, I think, I think it has taken people a, a long time. To realize, the importance of an admin professional and what they do for a company, you know? , But I think it's so much, so, so much better now. It really is. Yeah.
Candice: Yep. So being in a role for so long, how have you continued to grow and to challenge yourself and not get stagnant in the same environment?
Sharmayne: Uh, well I think, like initially it was about learning the, the industry here at BCEC, you know, the meetings industry, which I'd never even who'd heard of a meetings industry. , So I had to, I wanted to move outta that zero absolute, zero knowledge base as fast as I could. Um, so I spent the first few months arriving early and physically walking the building to learn the building.
And then lunch breaks, talking with people in the staff canteen to find out what they did and where they fit in the whole thing. But, uh, yeah, so just asking lots of questions and, you know, trying to soak it all up. And then, then I guess it's really about keeping up to speed with tech , but also seeing what other admin professionals are doing.
Like, I'm always inspired when I catch up with other exec assistants, , not just in this industry, anywhere, you know? Um, yeah, that's, I think, the best, the best way to continue to grow.
Candice: Yeah. Were there any moments where you considered leaving? Like, you know, maybe after COVID you were like, oh gosh, the events industry's gonna be finished. I might look at going back to something else.
Sharmayne: well, I had been approached a couple of times over the years, but, you know, I, Candace, I didn't need much thinking time to realize I'd landed in the right place for me.
I had a, great work culture and people around me, and I just knew I wouldn't find that anywhere else. Especially the people, like working in a, a venue like BCC is is really unique, , and very hard to give up obviously
Candice: yeah, yeah.
Sharmayne: 28 years later.
But, with COVID, even with COVID, our management team just handled it. so. Events, you know, dropped out. Of course everything dropped out. And, uh, something that none of no one had ever faced before. And, , they, management just gotta work straight away on developing a COVID safe plan.
And off we went. Uh, we worked closely with government and we, we got back really fast. It was impressive to be a part of, actually.
Candice: Yeah, I can only imagine what the planning of that was for you to open and be, especially with some social distancing, the QR codes, like I think people forget how much was in place for you to be able to go back to inverted comms normal.
Sharmayne: Our very first, function, we had a. Bant tables that normally have 10 people and we had three people at each
socially, you know
Candice: Oh my goodness.
Sharmayne: it,
Candice: That's intimate. I hope they all had speak.
Sharmayne: no one was allowed to stand up and walk around the room, or it was incredible when you think about it.
Yeah. But we got through.
Candice: did get it. Continues to thrive. But I can only imagine what the, the planning behind that to bring it, to be able to open your doors again in time. . Yeah, it would've been, there's just so many meetings about that, that, that, all right, what do we have to do to be able to be compliant, to make sure that our customers are safe, to make sure that they can, because everyone was so desperate for their old life back, you know, entertainment.
Uh, I remember I was in London when it happened and I was desperate young and cool back then, and I was desperate to go back to a nightclub. Like I wanted to go dancing. And so I remember we, like, we were allowed to go into this nightclub, but we all had to sit. So there was like all these tables and chairs and I was like, this is the weirdest thing in the world.
It's like, can imagine like in a place where people must get up and sing and cheer at the end of musicals and things like that. Like they had to stay in their seat, they had to comply. Like it just such a weird time. But we got through.
Sharmayne: We did.
Candice: We're back. We're back. on that note. what's, you are obviously privileged to see so many shows, so many.
Everything. Do you have a favorite and have you been able to meet anyone where you're like, oh my gosh, this is on my bucket list?
Sharmayne: Do you know everyone thinks that, but it's so not true. It's you. You don't go to that many shows, you know?
Candice: I would be like any show I wanted, I'd be like that sales call marketing, make sure I'm there.
Sharmayne: that's not how it works though. Like, um, we, we, we hire the space, you know, to, to somebody. And it's their space, it's their show. yeah, it totally belongs to them and we respect that a hundred percent. , So yeah, I have seen a few shows, but not, not necessarily as part of my role here at
Candice: yep.
Sharmayne: you know, I guess it's a bit like the electrician who never does his own house or whatever
that
Candice: When I worked in media, we used to always sneak into things that , weren't necessarily for us, but we would find a way to just be like, I remember a hundred years ago when I worked at Channel nine, and this is when back on the old site, . There was a few things. There was like, , one direction.
Do you remember them?
There was a little boy group and I didn't know, I, I must have known they were coming, but I must have just forgotten. And I was driving in 'cause we had parking and it was just crowded, like crazy young fans. And I was like, oh my goodness, what is going on? And I came in, I spoke to security.
I'm like, how do I get my car in? They're like, you gotta go in here. I'm like, what's going on? And they're like, well, one directions here. I'm like, oh my stars. And I remember like being like, my niece is like, can you get me in? I'm like, I can't on this one. I can't. This one I could have got you in on the footy show and you can meet an NRL player, but I can't get you into me one
Sharmayne: no. Well, it's funny you mention One Direction and to your listeners. This is, this truly is not set up. Candace does not know this story, but One Direction came here.
And Yeah. And I can remember like, it was just crazy. There were young girls everywhere and they were trying to get into the building any way they could, any way they could.
, We found them in fire escapes and, you know,
Candice: It was wild.
Sharmayne: anywhere. And I remember getting this phone call from a girl and she was, she was obviously like a 13, 14-year-old girl, but she put on this really tried to put on this really deep masculine voice and said, oh, I'm the driver for one direction and can you just tell me where to pick them up?
I
Candice: No, good try, but no,
Sharmayne: Yeah.
So, so there have been like really fun things like that. And G 20 of course was just awesome and, you know, so yeah. So yeah, there, there have been fun things definitely along the way.
Candice: Well, you've gotta have fun because,
you know, well, how can you stay in a job if you're not interested and engaging with all these fun things? How important do you think the organizational culture is? Obviously for longevity? It must be a, a big, big thing.
Sharmayne: Yeah. Oh, look, it's critically extremely important, like communication at every level is, needs to be open and approachable and everyone needs to really feel that. And that makes all the difference. It's all about connecting with people and being a big picture team player, you know, not just your little area and not just your little box or department, but willing to, reach out and, and help anybody in any way.
And I think that's, I think that's part of the culture that's encouraged here, and, and I think it really works.
Candice: You know, from what I've seen, the, the, the BCEC admins are very cliquey as well. Like they've got a great group , of women that I've met. Sorry, if there's any men there,
Sharmayne: No. Is it?
Candice: that, that come to things that support the, like they're real advocates.
Sharmayne: Yes. Yeah. And yeah, great support team for each other. Like, just incredible,
Candice: That's so good.
Sharmayne: lucky. Yeah.
Candice: Really, really lucky to have that in a in a company. So what advice would you give to someone who feels like they need to move on to.
Sharmayne: really, I think just give yourself some time, some time to think about it and really think about it without the emotion. , 'Cause you don't wanna jump from the frying pan into the fire, you know, do the homework,
be responsible for your career. It's your career after all. you know, be super clear on what you want and think about how the company.
You're currently with might be able to help you achieve that. And then take that forward step and have a conversation. Like you might be really surprised, , because look after all companies want to see you satisfied in your role and working well, why wouldn't they? It costs them money to lose you.
They don't wanna lose you. So, yeah, I'd, you know, I'd start there like, be clear in yourself what it is you want, and then see if that's achievable where you are.
You don't necessarily have to have to job hop.
Candice: And I think that's a really good point is if you don't speak up, they're not responsible for your career growth. You are, you need to speak up and say, okay, there's something that I'm interested in doing, or, you know, I'm, I would like to try some event stuff. Can I sit in on the project with x can? Like, if you don't speak up and look for these opportunities to grow in your role or in your company, they're not gonna be like, oh, it's review time.
Let's reassess everybody's role. No, they, they want you to be happy, but they also want you to be being the cog in the business that keeps it going. Like, that's 0.1. And 0.2 is I was told all my career that you have to move on. Like you have to do something next. And I was like, but then you don't understand the career.
Because this, this, like, it was the best job I ever, ever had and I was so proud to be an executive assistant. I loved the work, I loved the title. Even calling myself an executive assistant, I proudly made it a career choice whenever everyone was saying it's a stepping stone. And I think, you know, there's a many of us that have done over 20 years, uh, in the profession to be like, pretty sure we've got a stronghold here that says this can be a career.
And most of us fell into it by accident and made a career out of it.
Sharmayne: Yeah, that's right. Definitely.
Candice: can make a career out of it. Stay in your company, stay in your roles. It's up to you what you wanna do in your career. It's almost like you have avenues in admin.
Sharmayne: yeah. Now that's, but you're absolutely right. You know, it can be a stepping stone if you want it be. That's, that's fine. But look, it, it's been a career for me and it still is. , I think it, it should never be made less, never belittled. , Being an admin professional is a totally fulfilling, challenging, interesting. . And fun career, you it can be frustrating and hard, but so can every career, every job can be, , it's hard to be a carpenter.
It's hard to be a school teacher or a police officer. But, it all comes down to attitude. , You know, there, there are tough times in everything, but you hang on to a little bit of positive self-talk if you can. , And keep that belief that you will get through and, you know, you usually do. But yeah, if it's, if it's a stepping stone for someone, that's perfectly fine.
They may not be in the right place yet, or the role may not be what they wanna do. . Really if you love it the way you have loved it and the way I love it, , it's something to be immensely proud of and excited about. Like we do so much really interesting work. , We're part of a company's structure, it's leadership team.
Sometimes it's decision making., You know, that's really a terrific place to be. , So yeah, I think it's a really important position and it, in my opinion, it should be viewed and approached that way as well.
Candice: Yeah. Great advice there. Now you are a strong advocate for the admin being a career, not a stepping stone, although inclusive of a stepping stone, I should say. Why would you say that that message is so important for us to explain to others? Like for example, I met someone at one of the AOP events, her mom's a ea I think over at Grant Thornton and the daughter, um, I'm sure you might've met them too at one of the events.
The daughter works there in admin as well, and I was like, how lovely is that to see? She's obviously witnessed her mom doing this career long term and has said, yep, that's something that I would be good in. Like my niece is 18 and she's studying marketing and comms at the moment, and I think she would be a great ea.
I think she's got this, she's very much like me. She's organized, she's structured, she loves processes. She, and, but because there's not a degree in being an EA as such, she's like, oh, well, you know, and I'm like, what is that messaging that we do that we can do, like, that we can change that perception because Absolutely.
I mean, one of our podcast guests earlier was Annu Lamber from Amazon and she's got degrees coming outta Yin Yang and she has chosen to stay as an executive assistant 'cause she loves it. So
Sharmayne: Yeah.
That's really good. That's really interesting that your niece. Has that feeling? , Yeah. it's a bit sad that people feel like it's not a professional
Candice: I think it's,
I think that's, we try and of try and. Change that perception. We try and get to these younger people and be like, do you know what it is though? She sees me now as a business owner, not as an ea. And she goes, you, that looks like hell. Like she sees me working all the time, weekends, nights.
Like when you are working for yourself, you, it just, but I said, you gotta remember I had the best career. Like I worked for founder CEOs of multi-billion dollar corporations. I traveled all over the world. I used to have the best life. I'm like, remember that? Because she was too young. So
Sharmayne: Yes. No, you, you're gonna have to just tell her. Just, you should have seen me before. I was happier. Before.
Candice: Exactly. I'm sure there's some photos. So why do you think we still kind of have that mis misunderstanding about the admin profession? Do you think it's that we just. I don't know. We don't, through aop we have a voice, but I just feel like, I don't know, we need to do more perception training, I guess,
Sharmayne: Maybe. Maybe. And yeah, maybe we're just not used to it yet. Maybe we're still learning how to have that voice. cause when you think about the way the profession has changed, it's, you know, it's very, very different to when I started. When I started you, you were meant to be. Quiet, you know, like if you were taking minutes, you, you wouldn't even have a seat at the table.
You would have a seat in the corner of the room,
you know? Um, and it's very different now. Now if you are taking minutes in a, you know, for a board or whatever,, your opinion, you can speak up. Your opinion is sought and listened to. You're heard and you're seen and it's so much better. So, yeah, I dunno the answer to that one.
It's, um, I think it's something we're getting used to.
Candice: yeah, and I also think it's, we ha we're going through a new piece of what the admin profession is going forward because as we're talking about the evolution of the role, like, so is our role, our role is changing and this is why, you know, I'm pushing on getting the, the change of the title because we're doing way more than what we used to do.
And for me, that title sits with my old position. Whereas right now we are doing executive support level work. We are doing business partnership work, we are doing operations lead work. We are doing. So many different things that I'm like, hmm, maybe we need to, I, I dunno, I dunno what it is that we need to be doing, but we definitely need to be doing something to change the perception, especially with the younger people, to understand this is still a career for life.
Sharmayne: Definitely, , and a career worth looking at, you know, really considering. , So do you think it's the word a like I've had.
Candice: neither did i, I I didn't in past tense, but then I started noticing the difference when I went out on my own, started my own business, the difference that people would treat me as a founder or a director versus an executive assistant. And I was like, pretty much yesterday I was an executive assistant.
Like the, and the, you know, the difference of it just really annoyed me. And I was just like, why is it that if I had a title of director of business administration, would you treat me so much better? Because you think I'm in a leadership role,
you're the director of administration. So there's the, the perception is wording, whereas assistant is you are behind someone, you're assisting and it's like, well, yes, we are still assisting, we're assisting people, we're assisting businesses, we're still assisting in the role, but that's just not all what that we do anymore.
It used to be such a wait to be told what to do, , be wait to be invited for things. Whereas now we are the ones that are putting together these projects. We are the ones that are putting together the plans, we're doing the strategy, we're, so, I just feel like executive assistant doesn't capture it anymore, but also that everyone is piled in on that one title when every, all these people are doing all different facets of work.
But we all sit under the one title and then if we're all called that title, then they go, okay, the salary for that title is this. But in what? In education, in finance, in like, it just, I don't know. I think as we're evolving, we also need the job title to evolve because definitely the young people don't wanna be assistants,
Sharmayne: Yeah, definitely. Yep. Yeah, I think you're right. Yeah.
Candice: so I feel like there's a big education piece that we're gonna have to work on there.
Sharmayne: It's pretty exciting though, isn't
Candice: It's though, that, and that's the thing, right? I'm excited for what, for where this is gonna evolve. Like when I talk to my brother who works at Microsoft, you met him
at the conference, he says, you know, I can see admins turning into like, prompt engineers and things like that with, with the AI space.
And I'm like, this is all just gonna change so much.
Sharmayne: Yeah.
Candice: and to be honest, I'm a little bit happy that I had my career because that was my favorite, like. The career I did, what an executive assistant, what it is now and what it was. I just think that was the best career ever. I loved it
Sharmayne: great.
Candice: being a receptionist to being an office manager to being any yay.
I loved it. I didn't know any better about hybrid or anything like that, so it was always fives in the office. You had friends, you networked after work, you, it was the best. So I'm glad I got in
Sharmayne: Yeah.
Candice: at that level. Whereas now it's like you've gotta navigate trying to make connections and stuff remotely. And I'm like, nah, it's all too hard for me.
Now, I I, I would struggle to, to enter the admin profession now. Not with my experience, but if I was new, I'd be like,
oh, what do you do? Well, why? What is that outside the role? , But the other thing is that the younger generation didn't grow up with a computer. They grew up with phones,
so we all had a PC at home. So we, we could log in and we could do use the internet, we could use Outlook. We could, they only use their phones. Maybe a Mac. They can do can pretty good.
Sharmayne: I can.
Candice: But ask them to ask them what an Excel sheet is.
Sharmayne: Yeah. Yeah. That's really interesting.
Candice: Yeah.
Sharmayne: interesting. Yeah.
Candice: But I wanna go back to about you and your community and advocacy because you are such a great advocate for the profession, but also for aop. Um, you know, you, you come to all the events, you spprt the message about how important this profession is, uh, how we have our own institute, how we can work together better.
How important is it for you that admin professionals be connected to the.
Sharmayne: Oh God, yeah. Where do you start? Like really just, just so, so important. I mean. Being a member of AOP and networking with office professionals is a game changer. It, it really is. And big shout out to Connie Messina and Rachel Quinn. Um, what they've achieved in one short year for AOP Queensland and for the admin world is, is outstanding.
The extraordinary people.
Um,
Candice: are.
Sharmayne: and I'm very grateful to everything they do. They do. They really helped me a lot. Um, so yeah, it's, it is really important. You've gotta connect with people. You learn from people who really underst understand your role. , They know how it feels to be in your shoes and if there's something you're unsure about, they'll help.
, You exchange ideas, they challenge your thinking and help you to stay current. Yeah.
Candice: What are you using for ai? What's working,
Sharmayne: Yeah. It's invaluable. It really is. Yeah.
Candice: I, I really, really agree with that. Hence, obviously working with aop, I, I, I think it's, I think it's rebirth and what it is now today versus what it was is amazing, like
Sharmayne: it really is amazing. I mean, one of the examples of the way, um, uh, like a practical example of how AOP has helped me was, um, the development of what's called B CEC's, admin Wizards. Um, so Admin Wizards is a group of 19 BCC admins, uh, who work in different departments and almost never interacted with each other because our departments are so different.
Um, we now meet every six weeks. The aim is to share information, support each other, um. Be educated about other departments and just create that in-house network. And it was Connie and and r that helped me develop that group. Um, and, and they gave me so much encouragement and advice. It was terrific. They, they even checked in on me down the track to see how it was going.
Like the, their incredible
advocates we're really lucky to have them. And then of course there's the Admin Avenues conference.
Candice: There is?
Sharmayne: I mean, that's a great opportunity for education, uh, with great speakers. You're connecting with admin professionals from around the country. Uh, the topics are relevant to today's.
Candice: Yeah.
Sharmayne: And you just walk away full to the brim with ideas and contacts., I don't dunno who the speakers are this year, but I'm sure they're gonna be wonderful. But I know last year you had, um, Susie Miller and I loved how she spoke about shifting your mindset from helper, um, to leader and partner. And that really resonated with me and Rachel Burnett, you know, um, spoke about making your value visible, like really, really empowering stuff that's practical and relevant as well.
So
yeah,
Candice: And I think that's a difference is having an admin curate the conference
was what do, what, what would I need as an EA in this day? And error like, feel good. Stories are lovely. Like, don't get me wrong. I think those great speakers that are doing the circuit, like, yana Pitman and, the tennis player that I know that they've been doing the conferences, and I think that's wonderful.
And they have great stories of resilience and what they did in sport. But I'm like, I can't take that back to the office. Like, I need to go back with
Sharmayne: Something
Candice: sheet of what I can implement. Like this is what I'm gonna make in changes. This is what it's gonna help me in my role. This is my plan to go forward for 2020.
So like the idea is that, and this year we're gonna have booklets is because it's at the end of 2026 in October, we're gonna have, right. What is we're gonna be doing? Like, what is your plan for 2027? What are gonna be your deliverables for you out of this? What are you taking forward with it? Because I really feel like when you leave a conference, you're like, ah, that was good.
But it's like, no, we, we want this to be, it's Rachel Benetti had a really good explainer for it. She said. You can either provide a vitamin which is good for you and it feels good and you feel good for taking it, or you can provide a painkiller,
which is absolutely what people need right now and is imperative for you to be able to crack on and get things done.
And I'm like, I'm the painkiller.
Sharmayne: That's great.
Candice: And then we're gonna celebrate with the awards,
Sharmayne: Yes, yes.
Candice: so excited about. We just did a site visit recently and it's gonna be an epic party. I cannot wait to be able to do that
Sharmayne: Yeah, me too. It's
Candice: our community. Yes. So, um, just a couple of personal things. What personal qualities or mindset do you think have contributed most to your, your long and successful career?
Sharmayne: it's all attitude. Like, there's no, there's no secret, you know, recipe. It, everything I think comes down to attitude and, and having a, , an attitude of curiosity as well. Taking ownership of outcomes, being open to change, , all of that. It's all your mindset and it's staying calm under pressure.
Um,
Candice: I was just about to say, you're a very level headed person. You're a very calm person. Like I, I think it would take a lot to rock you,
Sharmayne: yeah. Yeah, it does. I mean,
Candice: whereas I'm a firecracker.
Sharmayne: My husband might say differently, but, uh, but in the office, yeah.
Candice: Yeah.
Sharmayne: But, uh, that, that's something, right from my very first office job, it, , one of my very early employers described me as unflappable. , I don't know if that's true because I might be flapping frantically on the inside.
you know, and we've all, we all have times when you do let the pressure get to you, but, um, it just makes everything harder. It's not gonna work. So, um, keeping calm just really helps everyone keep calm. But,
Candice: yeah. Because I think people look at you kind of like what an air host desk. If you look at the air host desk and they're calm, you're like, okay, okay. I think people do look at the admin and look, oh gosh, if, if they're okay, we're okay. Like they would know if we should be pushing the fire alarm.
Sharmayne: I think, I think also, um. know, with personal qualities and mindset, it's really important to have a core belief and keep telling yourself that, you know, like something, like, I'm not just doing admin tasks, I'm a professional who creates structure, , efficiencies, whatever words work for you.
But yeah, I think, I think it's important to keep telling yourself that because then you'll, you'll live it. And that changes everything. does.
Candice: does.
It really does. So what do you think has been your most underrated strength in your role?
Sharmayne: I think it's staying calm under pressure, really. that, and waiting, you know,
Candice: Yes. Patience is.
Sharmayne: Sometimes it's really important to wait and just give yourself a little bit of time. they're probably what I might put forward as strengths.
Candice: Yes, they're, they're,
Sharmayne: Yep.
Candice: and we're, we're wrapping up. I promise you. I'll let you go very soon, but I just wanna say, can you share a moment in your career where you've felt especially proud?
Sharmayne: Well, look, being nominated for the AOP Office Professional of the Year and Advocate Awards was such a lovely surprise and really meant the world to me. I was so stunned to be nominated. you Know, it was, the whole thing was so much fun. The conference and the dinner and everything was terrific fun.
, But as, as you know, something to be proud of, I don't know that I can really land on, on anything. Um, like. I'm often proud of BCEC. I think everyone knows that and I'm, and I'm proud of my colleagues as well. So I guess for me it's more about recognizing or maybe celebrating the little wins along the way.
Candice: So important to
Sharmayne: yeah, so I think that's more my style.
Candice: Mm-hmm. I love that. And after 28, still excites you well,
Sharmayne: Well, like most of us, , my days can get hijacked really quickly, and that's exciting. I mean, it means I have to reprioritize and adapt and, and it's a great feeling when you achieve a, a deadline you didn't even know you had, you know, and you feel like you've done a great day's work, you feel like you've contributed.
So yeah, I think those things are kind of fun. Yeah.
Candice: yes. And what kind of legacy do you hope that you leave both BCEC and with the admin profession?
Sharmayne: Well with BCEC, you know, it, it's its own, entity. Um, I would like admin wizards to continue. After spending many years working in silos, , admin wizards changed that significantly, so that would be nice. but, uh, for the admin profession, you know, legacy is hard. I, I don't think it's possible to be honest.
I, I think admin professionals are doing it. I think we're all doing it now. , So I think we're creating it for ourselves really.
Candice: I think you've definitely created your legacy anyway, after 28 years in, in this role. It's, it's something, it really is something to, to be proud of. Like, it, it's not a normal thing anymore. People don't stay in roles. They tend to think the grass is greener or, you know, they have to move or lots of different situations.
But it's so interesting to talk to someone that's been able to, and wanted to stay in a role and a company for so long. , So what would you say to someone who's starting out today who wanted to build a long and meaningful career like you have? , What would you tell them?
Sharmayne: Um, well, I.
Candice: Yes. Hey, that's what we like.
Sharmayne: Usefulness gets you hired. Trust is what gives you a career. And I love that I'm putting that up on my desk actually. Usefulness gets you hired. Trust is what gives you a career. So trust means you do what you say you'll do. You keep confidentiality, you use good judgment. You stay calm under pressure. , And also be honest.
If you're not clear on something, ask questions. Let your executive know you, you intend to do the very best, , and even exceed it. So yeah, I quite like, I quite like trust.
Candice: I like really? Yes. You know, one of the core thing things I would put on my CV as a core responsibility or a core, can't remember what I used to put on there, but one, one of the things I would put in there was trust and integrity.
Like that was one of my kind of statement pieces. In, in all of my career I have had an incredible, , trust and integrity as part of like my, as service as such, like every, I think half the reason I got hired in some of the roles I did.
'cause they were like, if you've worked for that person and they give you the tick, which means you have. Your mouth shut and you've, et cetera, I know that I can trust you. So you kind of have that immediate rapport of, okay, you, you, you've been ticked off. You, you, you're one of us. You, you're in the inner circle.
So I think yes, trust and integrity is in any career, just such an important piece. Alright. A quick fire around, what's the best piece of advice you've ever received?
Sharmayne: , When you stuff up, own it. Take it on the, and learn from it.
Candice: yep, yep. Very good advice. One thing every executive should understand about their assistant or their admin profession.
Sharmayne: I think that. Assistant doesn't simply execute tasks. They're a trusted thinking partner for you.
Candice: good. And what's one piece of advice you would give to someone coming in the admin pressure profession today?
Sharmayne: Well, you know, I, I've never said this to anyone and I don't think I ever would, but ultimately be easy to work with. what that means is you communicate clearly. You follow through on what you say. You don't create unnecessary friction and you handle problems calmly. No one has to chase you or double check you, or heaven forbid, brace themselves before interacting with you.
Candice: I do.
Sharmayne: It makes you reliable and trustworthy and the go-to person, which is a really great feeling, and, and look seriously, you can have a great and long career doing this, and it's worth it.
Candice: I love that. I love ending on that note too, because I think everyone is thinking of that one person in their office that is just, no one wants to approach 'em. 'cause they're really not that easy to approach or you know, they're the people that says, that's not in my job description. Or it's like, just do it.
Just get it done. Just if it's gonna help or if it's gonna like those people drive me bonkers. There's a very big difference between boundaries and actually just putting up your hand to help out or putting down what you're doing and seeing someone struggle and go, Hey, I can help you with that. Um, oh gosh, you've just met all this PTSD of living in a, working in a office back in the finance days of investment banking where we had those kind of assistance where they were like, that's not in my job description.
Sharmayne: Yeah, thankfully it's changed. It's
Candice: Yes, it has changed so much. And thankfully, you know, the admin in itself has changed, like salary has changed. The, the role itself has changed, the perceptions changed. It's like if you go on today onto LinkedIn and read some of the roles that are out there now, it's like, wow. We have come a really long way, uh, from what we started with.
And, you know, I started my admin career in Brisbane as well. I started as a receptionist in an architect firm.
Sharmayne: Oh, did you?
Candice: Yes, it was called Lamber and Smith. And their biggest, building that, that they worked with was Hutchinson's, yeah, so who was still there as well. So, yeah. It's so funny to go back and be like, oh, they're still kicking.
, But I love that, that's the, the legacy piece. Like that's where I started and I, that's why I love coming home to Brisbane to be like, it feels like home. It, it feels like every time I come home, I, I've been to enough events now I know everyone. , And I feel like, yep, these are my people. It's just such a nice feeling.
So can't wait to be getting up there a lot more soon.
Sharmayne: yeah. Great. Well, I think that, that, these are my people is the feeling you get from,
you know, from networking with them in, , professionals and with aop, that that's the feeling you get. For sure.
Candice: It really is, and it's so important to make sure that you, as John Sermon said the other night at the AOP event is, you know, make the effort, go to the event, meet some people, have a conversation. There's so many great outcomes that can come from turning up, showing
up. So, well, I'm so grateful that you agreed to be on the show with me when I saw that it was your anniversary.
I'm like, we've gotta talk about this. This is so special. It, it's so special to be able to tell the story of having a longevity career in this profession, but also telling the truth about the changes and how it's grown and how it's doing different things. Like we're not pretending like it's a different career now.
We're saying it's gonna be even better. Just keep watching us go. We, we, we keep going. We keep, and I can't wait till you're 30 years so that we can go and raid the cafe. Sounds like quite the perks. Uh, but I'm more excited about October
that we're going to be hosting the conference in the AOP awards there.
I cannot wait to show everybody what we're gonna be doing there. But we will be releasing all of that information very soon, but very excited for that. So keep it in your dates. Brisbane, 26th of October. We are owning BCEC. We're taking over. It's the takeover.
Sharmayne: Be great.
Candice: Well, thank you so much again for chatting with us, Charmaine.
It's always such a pleasure. And thank you for sharing your story with us, , and we'll definitely be seeing you very soon.
Sharmayne: Thanks so much, Candace. That was terrific fun.
Candice: Thank you.