Support staff, clerical staff, classified assembly, receptionists, administrative assistants, program assistants - by whatever name, these people are absolutely invaluable to any organization. NEVER let yourself underestimate the worth of what you do. The program assistant for my division regularly saves my bacon and assists me in ways for which I can never thank her enough. With her help, I can focus on the things that only I can do, and I am RABID in my praise of her.
Just tell yourself that people of quality will and do recognize the importance of your contributions, and the rest aren’t worth spit.
Our administrative assistant is totally awesome, and everyone here treats her like the minor deity she is. Anyone coming into the department and disrespecting her or the job she does would soon find themselves dangling off the rooftop by their short and curlies. We know who keeps us going.
I definitely second this. And, keep in mind that your boss needs you and recognizes it. If you ever think that you are the lowest of the low, or regarded as such, just look at the security guard. All of the company hates him, and is actively looking for ways to lose that position. Everybody ‘fears’ our AA, and respects, even if they don’t ‘honor’ her.
The most ridiculously together, with-it person I’ve ever met is an admin.
She’s a personal assistant to a mildly deranged multimillionaire and, when I knew her (I have no idea if she still does this but I imagine she does) she was essentially the central brain of the company. She knows where your paycheck is. She knows we’re out of half and half. She knows that they’re trying to offer $75k/year for the entry artist position but they’re going to accept $85k for the right person.
She’s actually very slightly famous in some circles for doing what she does, and by her description many people might know who I mean. She is absolutely vital wherever she goes.