Admin of the Month: Peyton Ticknor

Our Admin of the Month for October 2024 is Peyton Ticknor, Senior Administrative Assistant at Target.

Check out Peyton's advice video below! 

How did you get into the administrative field and how has your role changed since being in the profession?

Having graduated from college in 2008 during a global financial crisis and applying to just about every desk job I could find, I landed a receptionist job at a software company, which marked the start of my administrative career. Over the years, I’ve held various roles in different industries, and in that time, many places have eliminated receptionists, and desk phones are now nearly obsolete. Learning tools like Zoom, Teams, Slack, Skype, and Microsoft 365—and how they have evolved—has shifted the admin role into more of a strategic partner. With technological advances, tasks now take less time, giving us the bandwidth to dive deeper into the business and the goals of our leaders and teams.

When I started in 2008, I spent my days answering phones, ordering office supplies, and delivering mail. Things have changed significantly, and I now work fully remotely for a Fortune 500 company based in another state, all thanks to advancements in technology. 

What is your favorite part of your job?

The variety. Every day is different, and I absolutely thrive in a fast-paced environment. After 16 years as an admin, every single day still brings something new—whether it's learning a new tool, planning a trip, onboarding an employee, aligning calendars, organizing a fun event for the team, brainstorming with peers, or writing communications. What I enjoy most is the variety and the regular challenges it presents, which keep me engaged day after day, year after year. 

What are you most proud of as an Admin?

I am proud to say that I am an administrative professional. Being an admin means I’m a jack of all trades: a problem solver, calendar magician, event planner, and so much more. I have a 5,000-foot view of the organization, a seat at the table, and my opinions matter. I'm especially proud that our work is increasingly valued, and that the admin role has evolved into more of a leadership position. We are the glue that holds leaders, teams, and organizations together! 

How has ASAP supported your personal and professional growth? 

ASAP has supported my growth by offering in-person training events where I’ve built my network and met top-notch trainers in the industry. It has also provided space for me and my peers to share stories and solve problems together. During COVID, ASAP’s Coffee Breaks were incredibly important to me as an extrovert. They allowed me to connect with peers from around the world, share how we were handling remote work, and navigate new technology as the world went virtual overnight. I even met my PACE study group through these coffee chats, and we’re still connected almost five years later.

Additionally, I love the digital content that ASAP provides—especially the webinar topics—which are always relevant to my role. The ASAP Circle Community has also become my go-to for engaging with peers and using collective brainpower to solve problems and gain new perspectives. 

What is your professional superpower?

Connection! I believe that building connections is crucial for any relationship. When you first meet someone, find one thing in common to start building that connection. Over time, having strong relationships with the people you work with will help you tremendously. I find great joy in connecting people within my network because, as the saying goes, “It isn’t always what you know, but who you know.” 

More About Peyton:

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Want to nominate someone for Admin of the Month? Email Lydia Davidheiser, Content Coordinator, at [email protected], or fill out this form.