University of Kent > Careers > Choosing a Career >I Want to Work in ...
PROFILE: Graduate SecretaryINVOLVES: Word-processing & desktop publishing (this is becoming less central as most managers now have their own computers). Dealing with incoming post, email, telephone calls Answering enquiries, maintaining diaries & making appointments. Organising meetings, travel, dispatch, purchases, etc. Maintaining a filing system/computer databases.EMPLOYERS: All types of organisation, & also individuals, in UK & overseas, including those which require specialist secretarial qualifications such as law firms, hospitals/surgeries & farms. RELATED JOBS: administrative assistant, receptionist. SATISFACTIONS: Flexibility - easy to move from one employer or location to another. Fits in well with different lifestyles - part-time work, career break. NEGATIVES: Lowish salary. Routine work as junior secretary. Little power to implement change within the organisation. SKILLS: written communication, verbal communication, organising, listening, co-operating. ADVANCEMENT: Movement from secretary to senior secretary/office manager, with greater scope for initiative & responsibility, including supervision of other staff. from senior secretary to personal assistant - a highly proactive role working closely with senior manager(s) & undertaking a substantial role in your own right, such as researching & producing reports. DEGREE: Any degree subject: languages for bilingual secretary. Postgraduate secretarial courses confers a distinct advantage. These are widely available. Otherwise would need very good keyboard skills and knowledge of packages such as WP & spreadsheets. VACANCY SOURCES: Recruitment Agencies , Local & National Newspapers. TIPS: Get good word-processing skills preferably via a secretarial course. Can be a stepping stone into other jobs - especially in the media & secretarial teaching. |
The new employee stood before the paper shredder looking confused. “Need some help?” a secretary asked. “Yes,” he replied. “How does this thing work?” “Simple,” she said, taking the fat report from his hand and feeding it into the shredder. “Thanks, but where do the copies come out?” |
Last fully updated June 2009
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