Kathleen SARGENT
I've been in administration for over 30 years, and I truly love what I do. I understand that administration is the glue - it can bring people together. I liken an administrator to an intercessor, someone who's in the middle, pulling things together. It's more than just answering a phone and taking notes. You're doing what needs to be done for the customer to bring things together for success. I've worked across many different fields throughout my career - healthcare operations, mental health administration where I did entry-level counseling for at-risk youth, legal services at Perkins Coie as a legal receptionist, and HR administration. For the past 10 years, I've also been doing community outreach work, which I'm very passionate about. I serve as a support caregiver to a veteran, which is classified under first responder work. Currently, I'm transitioning and building my virtual administration practice where I help clients with presentations, consulting on what's the next direction, how to get their feet wet, how to dive in. I also have a broadcast called 'Chilling With Purpose' where I interview people like authors to help them get out there even further. I look for ways to help fill gaps and meet my clients' needs, whatever that looks like on any given day.
• Associate's Degree in Computer Management and Business
• Day of Kathleen Sargent declared by church in Cleveland
• Community Outreach Feeding Programs
• Pastor at Refuge in the City (Colorado)
What do you attribute your success to?
I attribute my success to my parents. They taught us not just the ways of the Lord, but they demonstrated what the ways of the Lord looked like. It's one thing to do a teaching, but when you actually do a live demonstration of it - my father was an Army veteran, and so that has its own level of excellence because he instilled that in us. And my mom, she's a beautiful, quiet, strong lady, and they taught us how to be respectful and how to be truthful. They taught us to live out life - if you keep number one, God first, and you stay honest, and you are somebody that can be trusted, no matter what the weather of life is, you will make it to the other side. And people will look at you, even if they don't like you, they'll still come and be like, well, you are a constant. Can I get some advice? Can you help me with this?
What’s the best career advice you’ve ever received?
The best career advice I have ever received is that even though people say they're multitasking, you can only complete one task at a time. And do your best at it. It doesn't matter how many tasks you've started - you can only give your full attention to one task at a time, and give it what you got. Focus.
What advice would you give to young women entering your industry?
Be authentic. If you're not gonna be yourself, you've already failed. And then from there, you start to work your skills. But if you're not going to be yourself, no matter what industry it is, you're not going to be yourself, you've already failed, because there are going to be opportunities for everyone to compromise. And you've got to know what you're not going to give up.
What are the biggest challenges or opportunities in your field right now?
The biggest challenge is the push of artificial intelligence. It's about how to use the tool, and I'm even getting the sense of some people trying to make it better than being a human. Artificial intelligence is not the greatest thing going. An intelligent human being is still the greatest thing going. Using it as a tool? Okay. But causing it to be a replacement for the brilliant mind of a human being? No, ma'am.
What values are most important to you in your work and personal life?
My values that are important to me are honesty, integrity, and making sure that whatever tools that you have, that you are giving them to the people so that they are successful in what they're doing. And not being afraid to admit, okay, I still need to get this tool, or I'm lacking in this, but it is either coming on the way, or we don't have it, but to be honest about those things so that you are sure to give everything that is needed to make that person successful.
Locations
unemployed
Philadelphia, PA