Schwabe, Williamson & Wyatt's Manager of Secretarial Services: Virginia Zingg

"When I was a kid, I never knew what I wanted to be when I grew up," she said.

What the extroverted Zingg did know was that she liked being in charge. So she gravitated towards management.


"I always had my eye on the management positions and was surprised when I discovered not everyone felt that way. I do not mind the personnel issues involved, and I think I am a good sounding board for others. People tend to tell me their problems, and over the years, I have become an advisor or coach."

For 25 years, Zingg worked in the insurance industry, working her way up from file clerk.

"Insurance offices are great for developing a career path," she explained. "I experienced the steps on the corporate ladder that lets you go from one position to another. I enjoyed working towards the next level."

While working, Zingg began taking courses at a Tucson, Arizona, community college. And although free time was rare, Zingg squeezed those courses in—she began studying to become a paralegal. Then a supervisory job opened up. Zingg took the job and dropped the courses.

But the exposure to the legal field was enough to whet her appetite. Once she left the insurance industry, Zingg was convinced she wanted to manage either a law office or a medical office.

Having exposure to the legal field and having experience in it, however, are two different things. Of the latter, Zingg had none. So when she interviewed with Schwabe, Williamson & Wyatt , "a multi-service law firm serving the needs of businesses in the Pacific Northwest, as well as U.S. and international clients," according to its website, she had to "convince the hiring committee [there] that [she] had transferable skills."

"They have a lot in common," she said. "Both are professional and technical, and they are made up of a similar demographic. Neither field requires a minimum education level, and both develop by on-the-job training; the longer you do it, the better you get."

Although Schwabe had concerns about her lack of law firm experience, Zingg convinced the firm to hire her. She landed the job, took her experience in management, and made the position her own.

"I could follow a format," said Zingg, "but it is really an opportunity to be creative."

And the position seems to be working out. As the manager of secretarial services at Schwabe, Zingg currently oversees around 80 employees, most of whom are legal secretaries. Of Schwabe's five offices, Zingg oversees the employees in four of them and works closely with the fifth office in Seattle.

"When I tell people what I do and that I work with the number of people that I do and that most all of them are women, I get very interesting comments and looks. Attorneys supervise the day-to-day duties of a secretary; I oversee the big picture. That means I get to determine what is needed in the way of help, training, and teamwork."

But Zingg's involvement doesn't end there. One of her most memorable career moments was creating a program called "Bring Your Daughter to Work Day," which has evolved into "Bring Your Kids to Work Day" because "boys need to see what work is like also," she said.

Zingg, who not only developed the program but takes part in it every year, teaches the kids about work life. The session begins with class time, followed by parent activities and lunch, and ends with a mock trial. Zingg talks to the kids about work, what they want to be, and the best and worst jobs they can imagine. Then it's game time.

"This year, we played 'Meet the Manager,' where I had placed good and bad work behaviors on a piece of paper and each child came forward to select one. As they did, we role-played how they would meet with the manager about it. Then, as a group, we would decide if the person should get a verbal warning, written up, or fired, if it was bad; if it was good, they got a raise, a bonus, or some other kind of recognition."

"I think it is important for kids to see how much of a difference it can make if you have good behavior at work," she continued, "but when you do not, you respond reasonably."

Q. What do you do for fun?

A. I like to read or play around on the Internet. I enjoy going to the local farmer's markets and cooking what I buy. I enjoy the company of my family.

What CD is in your CD player right now, or what was the last song you heard?

A. Miles Davis.

Q. What is the last magazine you read?

A. Portland Monthly.

Q. What is your favorite TV show?

A. Lost.

Q. Who is your role model?

A. Jesus.

While Zingg has guided and taught the younger generation, others have guided and taught Zingg. She gives credit to three men in particular: Dave Bartz, Don Williams, and Dick Templeman, all of whom have shown her "how to treat others and how to perform my job in a highly professional yet personal way."

"When I do something that they disagree with, they talk to me. None of them are egotistical. It is great to work in a place where you feel respected and cared about both personally and professionally."

Taking what she's learned and applying it to not only her own work but also the advice she gives others, Zingg had this to say:

"Employees have a right to gripe. Expect it, listen to it, change things that make sense, and get over the rest. It is impossible to get everyone to like everything you do. Make decisions based on your best judgment, and do not be afraid to make adjustments. If you are wrong, say you were wrong and fix it, but do not dwell on it."

So, did Zingg's uncertainty as a child affect her future?

"It is the best job I have ever had," she said.