THE CHALLENGES AND PROSPECTS OF SECRETARIAL PROFESSION IN THIS MODERN TECHNOLOGICAL ERA
ABSTRACT
High productivity is the pursuit if every public corporation. To allow for this, it is therefore necessary that the organization should tackle all the problems that could hinder the objective, purpose, growth and target for which the organization was established. This project therefore, is undertaken to give actual background on the problems that affect secretaries on their jobs, their prospects, the need to tackle these problems and the effect of these problems on secretarial productivity. According to the study, these problems could lead to under utilization of secretaries, dissatisfaction with their jobs and lower productivity.
Using observation, interview and questionnaire methods, it was found out that the secretaries were also affected with poor promotional morale, lack of adequate motivation, lack of modern equipment and poor conditions of employment compared with their counterparts. Also discussed were the prospects of secretaries in public corporations. The major findings was that there is poor promotional prospect in the secretarial profession. However, the appraisal of secretarial profession should be advocated because it will avail the organization the opportunity of proper utilization of the secretaries. The secretaries will be willing to put in their best on the job thereby enhancing productivity.
CHAPTER ONE
1.0 Introduction
1.1 Background of the Study
Secretaries as seen in the secretarial world and business organizations today, are faced with many problems and also have some prospects.
A secretary according to Hornby (2001), “is an employee in an office who deals with correspondence, keeps records, makes arrangements and appointments for a particular member of the staff”
The American Secretarial Association defined a secretary in the most acceptable way as – “an assistant to an executive, possessing a mastery of office skills and ability to assume responsibility without direct supervision, who displays initiative, exercises judgment and makes decisions within the scope of assigned authority.”
A secretary can also be defined as a person who maintains a high standard of confidentiality and a repository of information. Infact, there are numerous definitions of the word secretary as far as there are many authors. With the above definition in mind, one can easily see that the need for a secretary in any corporation cannot be overemphasized.
A secretary is a major communicating link between the executive ad his associates, the office staff and the public. As a result of this important linking position, a secretary can play a vital role in helping to create and maintain a smooth running business office. Thus a secretary seen as the bedrock and image-image of any business organization.
For a secretary to perform her functions efficiently and effectively, she must have undergone some educational training and obtained the basic office knowledge and skills to be efficient and effective on the job. A secretary is quite different from a clerk, a typist and other office workers.
However, for one to qualify as a secretary, she must have taken courses in shorthand, typewriting, office practice, secretarial duties and must be fairly computer literate for easy adaptation in modern offices.
Shorthand and typewriting are the key working tools of a secretary and it is expected that any person who aspires to take up any secretarial post must have passed typewriting ad shorthand within the following speed range – 25-100 words per minute, 80-120 words per minute in typewriting and shorthand respectively.
It is not uncommon to see people who have only passed typewriting at any of the recognized speeds without shorthand or those that have typewriting and shorthand skills are referred to as secretaries. These categories of secretaries are not qualified secretaries.
Some of the certificates recognized in our business organizations and of course our corporation for secretaries are – Royal Society of Arts Certificate, Pitman Certificate, Federal Technical College certificates, national Diploma certificate all in Secretarial field obtained in the Polytechnics, and Colleges of Technology. Bordus Diploma of Mc Cann Erickson Advertising once said, “professional training on a good secretarial course is the basic requirement for the would-be top secretary”. It will help her perform her duties efficiently and effectively.
A close look at some selected public corporations like the Nigerian Railway Corporation (NRC), Nigerian Telecommunications (NITEL) and National Electric Power Authority (NEPA) revealed a lot of problems and prospects of the secretarial profession. For instance, in Nigeria Telecommunications (NITEL), Enugu, the corporation stride towards meeting subscribers' expectations has always bee made impossible by some of those problems inherent in the organization.
In an attempt to remedy the problems in the organization, the Federal Government as well as the management of the corporation has introduced a lot of innovations for the effective functioning of the corporation. The former Post and Telecommunication (P & T) and the Nigerian External Telecommunication (NET) were incorporated into one department on January 1, 1985 and by June 1985, the department was split into NITEL and NIPOST (Nigerian Postal Services).
The Nigerian Railway Corporation is one of the many corporations owned fully and controlled by the Government of Nigeria. Hence, it is a public corporation, which is meant to provide adequate transportation through the rail system for the growing population of the country, to assist the commercial growth by carrying goods from the interiors to the urban cities. The Nigerian Railway Corporation can be traced back to the early colonial masters who ruled the country. The corporation was set up for profit purposes or social benefits of the population. A study into the Nigerian Railway Corporation shows a lot of irregularities. The organization has put in more efforts to improve its services both to workers and customers.
The other training corporation stressed on the impact of modern technology on their secretaries. The services of the secretarial profession are utilized by various organizations. Those in the secretarial profession work directly with the management of these organizations as support staff and they help in realizing effectively the missions and objectives of the organizations. Most of these objectives are geared towards resource management, which shows in the production, distribution and utilization of goods and services.
Today therefore, technology has become the centre point of the secretary's performance. The role of secretaries in the highly automated industries tends to become that of monitoring, maintaining and adjusting the equipment involved in the production process. Generally, in this era, those in the secretarial profession do not actually work on the product directly, rather, they maintain and monitor the equipment and records of operations. Those in the secretarial profession have tender opportunities to interact socially since the number of people with whom interaction may occur has been reduced and replaced by machine. The availability and the use of those modern technologies have led to increase in the job interest of secretaries. There is efficiency in production also; there is maximization of profits in organizations.
This immediate point is the prospect of the secretarial profession. In view of all these facts, the problems and prospects of the secretarial profession in these selected establishments are critically investigated in this study.
1.2 Statement of the Problem
The invention of computers (word processors) into the business and academic sectors which secretarial profession is not an exception, has exposed the secretary to acquisition of modern skills necessary to improve on the secretarial challenges.
Storage facilities have been reduced to a small compact called disk. How reliable this medium of storage is, is still a mirage to the secretary. A file can remain as long as a secretary or an organization wants it to last.
The use of intercommunication, audio-recording equipment and the likes has alienated the secretary from her boss that the interpersonal relationship which she used to enjoyed, is virtually not there. In this isolated situation, how can the secretary morally cope with the present day challenges?
Many other professions where major improvements were made in their scheme affects their “nomenclature” or the nature of their professions but that of the secretary, till date, has not experienced any change to reflect her present status with that of the computer. Old “nomenclature” and the nature of their profession still remain and in use.
It is the purpose of this work, by the time it is completed, to make absolute recommendations and bring to light the challenges and prospects of the secretary in the present day dispensation.
1.3 Purpose of the Study
The purpose of this study is to find out the problems facing the secretarial profession and their prospects in relation to their job on selected establishments in Enugu State and make recommendations.
The study specifically, aimed at:
- Identifying the problems and prospects of the secretarial profession in the following establishments;
- Nigerian Telecommunications (NITEL)
- Nigerian Railway Corporation (NRC)
- Power Holding Company of Nigeria (PHCN)
- Determining the cause of those problems, which affect the secretarial profession in these establishments?
- Highlight the prospects of secretarial profession in a growing economy.
1.4 Significance of the Study
It is hoped that this study will reveal the problems that the secretarial profession battles with and it will go a way in finding ways of improving the performance of the profession which will lead to increased productivity and enhanced prospects. The study will give more light on the major causes of these problems and then highlight what the employer should do to eliminate most of them in order to motivate the secretary towards achieving the corporation's goals.
1.5 Research Questions
- How could inadequate training and under utilization of secretarial staff pose problems to any establishment?
- How could lack of modern equipment and unfriendly attitude of the boss cause problems to a secretary?
- Do you think that the use of modern equipment and proper motivation can improve the productivity and prospects of the secretary?
- Do you think that inability of the government and private employer's of labour to reviewed the secretarial status affects the secretarial output?
CHAPTER TWO
2.0 Literature Review
2.1 Introduction
The review of relevant literature is the main topic of this chapter. A literature review covers theoretical and methodological contributions to a certain issue in addition to the state of knowledge at the time of writing. It provides information about the state of the art in relation to the subject you are writing about. It examines the body of work on the chosen subject. The literature evaluation in this study comprises the …
Procedure for Downloading the PDF (Docx) Material
The Challenges and Prospects of Secretarial Profession in This Modern Technological Era can be downloaded by requesting the full set of materials at the project or seminar cost. The document will be sent via Microsoft Word (MS-Word) format via WhatsApp (e-mail) following payment confirmation.
| Seminar Material Cost ₦3,000 | Project Material Cost ₦5,000 |
Request Complete Material
 | Click here to request the Complete Material via WhatsApp including;
|
TABLE OF CONTENTSPRELIMINARY PAGES
- Title page
- Approval page
- Dedication
- Acknowledgement
- Table of Contents
- Abstract
- 1.0 Introduction
- 1.1 Background of the Study
- 1.2 Statement of the Study
- 1.3 Purpose of the Study
- 1.4 Significance of the Study
- 1.5 Research Questions
REFERENCES
- 2.0 Review of Literature
- 2.1 Introduction
- 2.2 The Problems of Nigeria Secretaries
- 2.3 Prospects of Nigerian Secretaries
- 2.4 The Current Problems and Prospects of Secretaries in Public Corporations
- 2.5 Summary of Related Literature
REFERENCES
- 3.1 Introduction
- 3.2 Research Design
- 3.3 Population of the Study
- 3.4 Sample and Sampling Technique
- 3.5 Sources of Data
- 3.6 Questionnaire Design and allocation
- 3.7 Method of Data Collection
- 3.8 Method of Data Analysis
- 4.0 Presentation and Analysis of Data
- 4.1 Introduction
- 4.2 Data Analysis
- 5.0 Summary of Findings, Recommendations and Conclusions
- 5.1 Discussion of Findings
- 5.2 Summary of findings
- 5.3 Conclusions
- 5.4 Recommendations
- 5.5 Limitations of the Study
- 5.6 Suggestions for Further Studies
REFERENCES
APPENDIX
Disclaimer for Complete Material Utilization
The displayed research work titled "The Challenges and Prospects of Secretarial Profession in This Modern Technological Era" is stated as a research guideline towards accomplishing your assigned project / seminar research work. All the research materials on this website are ONLY for research purposes and should be used as a guideline in developing your research work. For no reason should you copy word for word as projectlist.com.ng will not be liable for any who copied the material. By ordering the complete research guideline, it signifies that you've accepted our terms of service.
PRELIMINARY PAGES
- Title page
- Approval page
- Dedication
- Acknowledgement
- Table of Contents
- Abstract
- 1.0 Introduction
- 1.1 Background of the Study
- 1.2 Statement of the Study
- 1.3 Purpose of the Study
- 1.4 Significance of the Study
- 1.5 Research Questions
REFERENCES
- 2.0 Review of Literature
- 2.1 Introduction
- 2.2 The Problems of Nigeria Secretaries
- 2.3 Prospects of Nigerian Secretaries
- 2.4 The Current Problems and Prospects of Secretaries in Public Corporations
- 2.5 Summary of Related Literature
REFERENCES
- 3.1 Introduction
- 3.2 Research Design
- 3.3 Population of the Study
- 3.4 Sample and Sampling Technique
- 3.5 Sources of Data
- 3.6 Questionnaire Design and allocation
- 3.7 Method of Data Collection
- 3.8 Method of Data Analysis
- 4.0 Presentation and Analysis of Data
- 4.1 Introduction
- 4.2 Data Analysis
- 5.0 Summary of Findings, Recommendations and Conclusions
- 5.1 Discussion of Findings
- 5.2 Summary of findings
- 5.3 Conclusions
- 5.4 Recommendations
- 5.5 Limitations of the Study
- 5.6 Suggestions for Further Studies
REFERENCES
APPENDIX
Disclaimer for Complete Material Utilization
The displayed research work titled "The Challenges and Prospects of Secretarial Profession in This Modern Technological Era" is stated as a research guideline towards accomplishing your assigned project / seminar research work. All the research materials on this website are ONLY for research purposes and should be used as a guideline in developing your research work. For no reason should you copy word for word as projectlist.com.ng will not be liable for any who copied the material. By ordering the complete research guideline, it signifies that you've accepted our terms of service.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Can the material for “Impact of Over-Admission of Students in Nigerian Tertiary Institution” be used as a guide for Management Technology Project?
Yes it can be used — The purpose of this work is to research in tertiary of over-Admission of students of management and Technology Enugu Enugu State as my case study. The methods of gathering information for this research include distribution of questionnaire, Interview and oral observation. The finding revealed that corruption and God fatherism, unemployment of school leavers their new education policy, quota system, Governing council’s criteria, pursuit to meet up with other state in Education. Of forms are the cause of over-admission in the institute of management and technology Enugu. In conclusion, the researcher, recommend and suggested the possible ways to be adopted which were: good funding, Government subvention, provision of more infrastructure etc. Ultimately it was recommended that the above mentioned factors and host of others should …
Can the material for “The Discourse of Imposed Identity in Isidore Okpewho’s Call Me by My Rightful Name and Richard Wright’s Native Son” be used as a guide for English Language Project?
Yes it can be used — Identity studies in African-American literature, over time, have depicted the interaction between black and white Americans and the connectedness of black Americans to their root. This study has explored theme of identity as influenced by the milieu to represent the place of African-Americans within the larger American society in relation to racism, segregation, culture, migration and social equality. However, most of the analyses of theme of identity in African-American studies have examined identity either in relation to racism or as a reconnection to the African root. This study analyzes identity from another dimension. It explores identity as an inevitable imposition, an obligation made on the individual by forces, societal or supernatural, which are beyond their control and from which they …
Can this topic “The Impact of Poor Revenue Generation on the Development of Local Government Area” be used for Public Administration (PA) Project?
Yes it can be utilized for research — Revenue generation is the nucleus and the path to modern development. Thus, the study was to assess the impact of poor revenue generation on the development of Local Government Areas. This is because local government as the third tier of government and the closest to the people especially in the rural areas needed revenue to provide basic social amenities to the people. But it is unfortunate to note that the local government management have not lived up to expectation especially to provide basic social amenities to the rural people. Thus, the objective of the research was to analyze the extent to which poor revenue generation had affected the development of those areas. The researcher used primary and secondary methods of …
Can the material for “Women Involvement in Community in Nigeria” be used as a guide for Business Administration and Management (BAM) Project?
Yes it can be used — From the time of creation till date, expect in the recent time, whom have been seen generally especially by the male folk as second-class citizens, more especially in the less developed countries. This has led to various misconceptions and bickering between the male and female group despite all efforts of women towards the development of there various communities. Even when it is obvious that women are taking the lead and vigorously help the spouses in executing various developmental projects their activities are rarely appreciated. The purpose of this study therefore was to conduct an investigation into the contribution of Eku of the community development efforts of Eku as a case study in the “involvement of women in community development in Nigeria.” Specifically …
Can this topic “Merger and Acquisition in the Banking Industry in Nigeria” be used for Banking and Finance (BF) Project?
Yes it can be utilized for research — The study is to highlight the importance of mergers and acquisition in the survival and growth of Nigeria companies. In achieving this aim, the following specific objectives were laid out to state the benefits of mergers and acquisition in Nigerian economic development and explore into reasons why Nigerian indigenous companies are not involved in mergers and acquisition and other related business combinations. The motivation of embarking on this research work is as a result of the inability of the concerned companies to engage qualified and experience consultants to manage the business. Most of the companies who want to engage in mergers and acquisition are face with these problems because. There are not trained or qualified and experienced consultants that will …
Can the material for “Motivation and Productivity in Public Enterprises” be used as a guide for Public Administration (PA) Project?
Yes it can be used — This is public cutlery on the ineffectiveness characteristics of the public sector. The question here is what actually is responsible for the general low performance of workers in the public sector?. The gap between poor motivation and low productivity in state-owned − corporation has to be filled. The environment in which its average worker performs his job seen to be unfavourable to his or her maximum contribution to the goals and objective of the organization for these reasons, therefore this research work is aim at identifying roles motivation is playing in enhancing the productivity of Delta State Water Corporation and other state enterprise. Recommendations were also forwarded based on the scientific approach of data collection. Some of these recommendations include …
Can the material for “Impact of Tax Reforms on Economic Growth of Nigeria” be used as a guide for Accountancy / Accounting Project?
Yes it can be used — This research examined the Impact of Tax Reforms on Economic Growth of Nigeria. Specifically, attempt was made to verify the relationship between federally collected revenue and specific tax revenue generation sources. The study employed annual time series data spanning the years (2005-2014). The various income taxes were used as a proxy for tax reforms and GDP as a proxy for economic growth. The research adopted developmental research design. Data was basically collected by secondary means through Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) statistical bulletin and the FIRS Guage. Three hypotheses were formulated and tested with the used of regression analysis and T-test. Based on the result of the analysis, the three null hypotheses were rejected and the alternate hypotheses accepted. It was thereby …
Can this topic “The Boys Get the Pleasure the Girls Get the Pain” be used for Nursing (Science) Project?
Yes it can be utilized for research — The purpose of this study was to find out teenagers' views concerning the causes and prevention of teenage pregnancy in Nguluni located in Kenya. The aim was to get important information that can be used by partners and stakeholders who have a role in reducing teenage pregnancy. This study was qualitative through participation of 40 female students aged 13-16 from a local mixed day high school. Narrative study was used to collect data where participants wrote essays. Data was analysed by content analysis. The results showed that causes of teenage pregnancy were peer pressure which led to bad decisions. There was lack of guidance and counselling because parents hardly took time to guide and counsel their children due to lack of …
Can the material for “An Empirical Analysis of the Impact of Deposit Money Bank on the Manufacturing Sector in Nigeria (1980-2011)” be used as a guide for Economics Project?
Yes it can be used — This research study, by means of a robust statistical analysis investigates the impact of deposit money bank on the manufacturing sector in Nigeria. Data from 1980-2011 were examined. The empirical analysis carried out showed that the lag of exchange and commercial bank credit have a significant and positive impact on manufacturing sector in Nigeria within the period under review, and as such the monetary and capital market in Nigeria should be further developed to meet standards and provide the necessary capital for the manufacturing sector. Also the government and relevant authorities should see to the strengthening of the exchange rate. …
Is the topic “Design and Construction of a 500watts Uninterruptible Power Supply” recommended for Electrical / Electronics Engineering (EE) Project?
Yes it is highly recommended — The study was conducted to design and construct a 500 Watts Uninterruptible Power Supply with Voltage Low Indicator (Inverter). As new ideas unfold and technology become advanced with business increasingly being dependent on technology for their fundamental operation; the need for system availability is of paramount importance. Uninterruptible power supply (Inverter) maintains continuous supply of electric power to certain essential equipment that cannot be shut down unexpectedly. They are generally associated with telecommunication equipment, computer system and other facilities such as airport traffic controls system where even brief commercial power interruption could cause injuries or fatalities, serious business disruption in data loss. The 500watts Uninterruptible Power Supply (UPS) is designed to be used in such situation. With its conversion design, …