Carmen Cayer
Sr. Executive Assistant to CEO
TRILOGY METALS INC.

I have been an administrative professional my entire career spanning 40 years. From early beginnings as a bank receptionist, I eventually moved on to roles in office administration on the front lines of mining and forestry operations in small towns of northern British Columbia. After moving to Vancouver, I was hired as the Executive Assistant to the CEO and CFO of a small mining company. I have been supporting this same entrepreneurial team for most of the past 11 years.

Independently, what have you done to work towards professional development in the past?
I studied for and earned certification credentials as a Certified Administrative Professional with a specialty in Organizational Management (CAP, OM). As well, I have successfully completed tests on Microsoft Office software programs, earning the designation of Microsoft Certified Professional (MCP).

Carmen will be one of the executive assistant contributors at the Executive Leadership Support Forum: Vancouver on July 18-19, 2018.

In your mind, what is one tool you can’t live without or find especially helpful in your position?

The one tool I can’t live without is my office laptop which I bring home with me every day. It has proven to be a life-saver when urgent matters arise outside of office hours.

Looking back, what advice would you give yourself when you were first starting your career?

My advice is to always be accountable for your actions: never make excuses and never make the same mistake twice.

Are there any blogs, books, articles or online forums you recommend reading?

Believe it or not, I still have in my desk drawer a 1982 copy of the Canadian Secretaries Handbook! It was an indispensable guide early in my career. I recommend investing in a comprehensive (and modern!) guide for admins, and reading it from cover-to-cover.