By: Lauren Finnigan, Marketing Coordinator
We would like to wish a happy Administrative Professionals Day to all! To celebrate the hard work and dedication of those who make magic happen behind the scenes at Osborn, I asked Rachel Allen, Executive Assistant, and Hanna Seppa, Office Assistant, a few questions about their roles as administrative professionals in the industry.
Although both Rachel and Hanna are relatively new additions to the Osborn Team, their contributions to our work culture and ability to take on any tasks that come their way have undeniably made an incredible positive impact on the office in a short period of time.
What do you enjoy most about your role as an administrative professional?
Rachel: I really enjoy addressing challenges and resolving issues for others, as well as alleviating their burdens so they can focus on tasks that require their unique expertise and skillset.
Hanna: I love the opportunity to help my colleagues in any way possible, whether it’s making sure they have the pens they like or coordinating a large meeting for them. It’s a unique way to get to know people through the more mundane details of their work-life, and I enjoy connecting over these little things!
What drew you to seek out a position in the engineering industry?
Rachel: My uncle is a civil engineer, my son is a landscape designer, and my husband and I previously established and grew a lawn and landscape business from the ground up that was successful for 10 years until we sold it. Being familiar with these industries and knowing the hard work and dedication it takes to grow a business is why Osborn interested me.
Hanna: Working for an industry that has a positive, lasting impact on our communities and environments really drew me to this position. Knowing that these projects will be valued for years to come is incredibly rewarding.
What is a fun project you are currently working on?
Rachel: Right now, I’m engaged in planning various company events, including the summer picnic, shareholder retreat, and holiday party, alongside a few colleagues. I thoroughly enjoy collaborating and hearing everyone’s ideas and drawing from their own experiences.
Hanna: I am currently planning a potluck for World Day for Cultural Diversity in May! I love planning smaller events for holidays around the office, and I’m excited to put together an event where everyone can celebrate their cultural heritage over a shared meal!
What does a typical day look like for an administrative professional at Osborn?
Rachel: Haha, there’s no ‘typical’ day because each one is unique, which I love. A day might involve scheduling meetings, securing a/v equipment, sourcing meeting venues, taking minutes during meetings, processing receipts for finance, assembling tables, and more.
Hanna: There is no such thing as a typical day for me! The projects that I am working on change frequently, and I may have events to plan in one week, a storage space to organize another week, or time to work on my own projects the next. I love that I have so much variety and that I get to collaborate with different people on any given day.
What Osborn core values do you feel are most relevant to your role?
Rachel: Relationships & Trust, Collaboration & Creativity, and Professionalism & Responsibility.
Hanna: Relationships & Trust is the biggest core value that I see in my role, since those two values are imperative to building connections in the office. Laughter & Fun drive my event planning. I am always looking for new ways to bring a little levity to the office, such as a scavenger hunt for St. Patrick’s Day, planning a craft event for spring, or ordering little “desk pets” for Seattle when they jokingly requested an office pet! Collaboration & Creativity is also a huge part of my role. I frequently work with other departments to make the office a great place to work. Finding ways to utilize all the amazing talent in the office takes a creative touch, and I consider myself lucky to learn from these individuals!
What do you feel is the most important part of your role that contributes to Osborn’s mission as a whole?
Rachel: Being someone that can be trusted to get the job done but also making sure my colleagues know I genuinely care about them is the most important part of my role.
Hanna: I like to think that my role creates a ripple effect; by cultivating an office space that makes people feel valued and supported, they can go on to do amazing things and positively impact others around them!
We would like to extend our appreciation to Rachel and Hanna for not only taking the time to answer these questions, but for bringing a positive light to the office every week with the important work they do as well. Thank you both for being supportive team members, and we are so excited to watch you grow within your roles!
