I decided to become an Administrative Assistant in 1991 while taking business courses at El Camino College in Torrance.  It was apparent that I needed to obtain modern office skills most employers require, especially computer skills.  I then enrolled in the Legal Secretarial Program at Empire College of Business and Law in Santa Rosa.  I chose to take the Legal Program because it would offer me more options:  I could either pursue a career in the legal field, or try different fields.   I loved the program and graduated in 1993 with Dean's Honors.   A month after graduation, I launched my first job as a Legal Secretary for Council on Aging - a non-profit agency that provides free or low-cost services to seniors.   There, I provided support to an attorney and three paralegals, preparing mostly Wills and Powers of Attorney.   At that time, all my work was done in WordPerfect in DOS environment. After a year, the Agency decided to cut costs and dispense with the secretarial position.  Two weeks later, I joined a small Financial Consulting Firm as an Administrative/Marketing Assistant.   There, I was first introduced to Windows environment and Microsoft Office Suite.  I was thrilled to learn new computer skills.  This job also helped me to enhance my organizational skills, since it involved planning and booking financial seminars.    My next job was as a Senior Secretary for a major telecommunications company in Marin County. In 1996, I moved back to Los Angeles, and two months later launched a job as an Executive Secretary for Swissport (then DynAir) Corporation, where I am currently employed.  Our company provides Ground Handling services to airlines, and I support two Vice Presidents - Aircraft Maintenance and Western Region.   It is at this job that I became proficient in creating presentations in PowerPoint, newsletters, charts, graphs, and editing technical manuals.   I am also responsible for organizing special events and occasionally travel to assist my boss at his meetings.   Last year, I went to Las Vegas for the Annual Aircraft Maintenance Managers Meeting. In 2000, I began to attend IAAP meetings as a guest and found them to be extremely informative and helpful in my professional growth.   I became a member in April 2001.   I learn something new and valuable at each meeting, and it enables me to become an accomplished professional.