 When Sarah Letellier graduated from Bishop Smith Catholic High School in Pembroke in 2004, the straight “A” student had the marks to be accepted into some of Canada’s leading post-secondary universities. Instead, she chose the college route.
Driven by a strong ambition to start her career quickly, Letellier liked the practical learning experiences that came with a college education and she enrolled in the Office Administration Executive Program at Algonquin College in the Ottawa Valley, and not surprisingly she excelled.
Consistently on the Dean’s Honour Roll, she graduated in August of 2005, quickly securing a job with the Pembroke Regional Hospital as an office assistant. “I applied to the hospital for my two-week work placement as part of my program in July, and I have been working here ever since,” says Letellier, who now works directly for the Chief Executive Officer at the hospital.
She spent three years working in different roles in the hospital, primarily as a Patient Services Secretary supporting the Patient Services Staff as well as the Clinical Managers and Directors. That experience gave her the opportunity to show her talent and it led to a full time position as the CEO’s Administrative Assistant in 2008.
Being an Administrative Assistant is a busy job. From managing meeting and travel schedules for senior managers, to taking minutes at meetings and continually working on correspondence that flows through a busy healthcare environment, it is a role that requires a lot of organizational skills.
“You have to be flexible and able to adjust your daily activities. Team work is extremely important and I am lucky to work with some great people that help me do my job well,” says Letellier.
As one of the region’s largest employers, the Pembroke Regional Hospital has grown significantly in recent years. With approximately 780 employees and an annual operating budget of approximately $75 million dollars, the leadership team at the hospital has a lot of responsibility. Letellier’s role is to provide that team with the support they need to help them do their jobs well.
“I thoroughly enjoy working in the CEO’s office and being able to help anyone I can. It is important for me to be able to use all the skills I have learned from the program and I also enjoy the public interaction that comes with the role,” says Letellier.
The Office Administration-Executive program is very popular at Algonquin College in the Ottawa Valley and is consistently oversubscribed. As the demands of the workforce become more complex, more companies are looking for graduates of this program to manage their offices.
For many students, the opportunity to complete the program in twelve months is a major selling feature. “It allowed me to complete my schooling and enter the workforce as soon as possible. The program is fast paced and offers students a great knowledge base for entering an office setting and you can earn a two year college Diploma in one calendar year,” adds Letellier.
Looking back, Letellier is convinced she made the right decision. “Being a graduate of Algonquin College has opened doors for me to find a good job locally, and I am pleased to be able to continue to live and work in my home town,” says Letellier who has become an integral part of the Hospital’s group of Administrative Assistants.
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