CAREER PROSPECTS OF CONFIDENTIAL SECRETARY IN A PUBLIC ESTABLISHMENT (A CASE STUDY OF OSUN STATE POLYTECHNIC, IREE)
ABSTRACT
The aim of carrying out this research was to find out, “Career Prospects of a Confidential Secretary in Public Establishment”. The research work was carried out on Osun State Polytechnic, Iree. The nine subject which constitute the population of the study were secretaries in various department of the polytechnics, for the purpose of collecting information, various literatures and text books were consulted. Also, questionnaire was designed and administered on the subjects. The frame work for data collection for the research work was built on three research questions (i) what are the promotion prospects of the secretary in a public establishment? (ii) What are the training prospects of the secretary in a public establishment? (ii) What are the operational mobility of the secretary in a public establishment? The three research questions were analyzed through the simple mean method. This lead to the presentation of data and the conclusion was drawn with the recommendation.
TABLE OF CONTENT
Title Page i
Certification ii
Dedication iii
Abstract iv
Acknowledgement v
Table of Content
CHAPTER ONE
1.0 Introduction 1
1.1 Statement of the problem 3
1.2 Research questions 3
1.3 Purpose of the Study 3
1.4 Significance of the study 3
1.5 Delimitation of the study 4
1.6 Limitation of the study 4
CHAPTER TWO
2.0 Literature review 5
2.1 Definition of the word “secretary” 5
2.2 The importance of secretary 6
2.3 Training of a secretary 7
2.4 Career prospect of a secretary 8
2.5 Secretarial cadre 9
2.6 Attribute of a secretary 11
2.7 Duties of a secretary 12
2.8 Qualities of a secretary 13
CHAPTER THREE
3.0 Introduction 17
3.1 Population of the Study 17
3.2 The sample of the Study 17
3.3 Research instrument 17
3.4 Method of Data Collection 17
3.5 Method of Data analysis 18
3.6 Decision rule 19
CHAPTER FOUR
4.0 Introduction 19
4.1 Data Analysis 20
CHAPTER FIVE
5.0 Introduction 22
5.1 Summary of findings 22
5.2 Conclusion 23
5.3 Recommendations 23
5.5 Suggestion for further study 24
References 25
Appendix 26
CHAPTER ONE
BACKGROUND OF THE STUDY
1.0 Introduction
Secretaries can be founding many areas of employment such as government establishment, industries, commerce, charity organizations and are services of all these, it is perhaps industry which has most to gain by employing the best secretaries and most at loss in employing poor ones.
In the recent time government establishments have seen many changes. One aspect of this change is the increased foreign competition brought about such things as improved freight facilities.
Another significant factor in public establishment has been the extensive use of computer systems which has to reduction in routine paper work. These two elements have combined together to heighten the rivalry between business organizations. Each wants to excel at the expense of its problems which have to be financed by fever and better staff within the organizations concerned. A careful selection process is possible for each vacancy advertised; there is a wealth of suitable applicant.
The secretary, like the chameleon has to adapt to her surroundings, she has to master new skills such as operating word processors and computers. Telex and electronic mall have becomes part of everyday life for her and the business letter does not occupy as much of her days as it used to be in the past. The secretary today is finding less of her time being spent behind the typewriter and more time being spent attending to other aspects of her work.
Historical Background Information of Osun State Polytechnic, Iree.
This history of Osun State Polytechnic, Iree dated back to 1981 when the campus was one of the four satellite campuses of the polytechnic, Ibadan Following the creation of Osun State in August 1991, it became necessary for the new state to have her own Polytechnic. Government therefore decided to establish Osun State Polytechnic, Iree in the state to cater for the educational needs of the citizens.
The bill establishing Osun State Polytechnic, Iree was assented to by the first Executive Governor of Osun State, Alhaji Isiaka Adetunji Adeleke on 12th October, 1992. by that act of Government, Osun State Polytechnic, Iree became a successor to the Iree satellite erstwhile campus of the Polytechnic, Ibadan. Similarly Osun State College of Technology Esa-Oke was established as a successor to the Esa-Oke satellite campus.
The state had a mission for the institutions. The mission was to rationalize the courses between the two sister institutions with an orientation towards commerce. Science and Technology at Iree while Esa-Oke was marked for Engineering and Environmental Studies.
However, in view of the advice given by the NBTE that Polytechnic should offer core courses in Engineering, the vision is being revised along that line, plans are therefore in the pipe-line to introduce engineering and environmental studies, at Iree viz: - Faculty of Science and the Faculty of Engineering.
The institution has an imposing library block which serves the academic interest of both staff and students. It keeps a fairly sizable number of books for it’s and reading public. Plans are underway to increase its book stock and services particularly in the areas of provision of photocopy services, photographic services and audio visuals.
The institution also has a health centre where staff and students receive medical care. However, serious cases are referred to hospitals at Iree, Ikirun and Osogbo. The works and the services department located near the institutional structure and equipment and provide municipal services e.g. water, electricity etc to staff and students.
With this humble and beginning, management will appreciate the contributions and sacrifices of all staff, students, and the general public at large to an orderly and progressive of development of this young institution.
The environment provides adequate challenges to all concerned and it is our hope that we would all been working together for cooperation, understanding to build Osun State Polytechnic, Iree into enviable edifice.
1.1 Statement of the Problem
The problem of the study is to determine:
The promotion prospects of the secretary in a public establishment. The training prospects of the secretary in a public establishment. The occupational mobility prospects of the secretary in a public establishment.
1.2 Research Questions
1. What are the promotion prospects of the secretary of a public establishment?
2. What are the training prospects of the secretary in a public establishment?
3. What are the occupational mobility prospects of the secretary in a public establishment?
1.3 Purpose of the Study
In many of our national Institutes of learning today there are few candidates applying for the secretariat studies. Those who are eventually admitted for the course are mostly faced with a lot of problems before they can become secretariat.
It is the purpose of this study however to find out whether the course provides job satisfactions in term of salary, promotion, frige benefits. The study plans to find out what secretarial practice include in Nigeria offices.
1.4 Significance of the Study
The study will discuss extensively why few candidates apply for secretarial studies. It will also reveal the job opportunities for secretaries in a public establishment. However, the coverage of the topic will be incomplete if a look is not made into the social psychological, educational and economical importance of the topic in chapter two of the project.
1.5 Delimitation of the Study
This research work titled “career prospects of a confidential secretaries in public establishments Osun State Polytechnic, Iree as its case study. This establishment was selected on such a way that it will represent the various type of institution involved in training and employing qualified secretaries.
1.6 Limitation of the Study
The factors that militate against this study is due to lack of co-operation on the part of some secretarial staff who were visited. Also, there are limited literature materials available for the research work.
1. Conclusion
Based on the summary of findings the following are the conclusion of this research work;
1. The following are the promotion prospects of a secretary in a public establishment
a. Regular promotion
b. Fair promotion criteria
c. Justified promotion
d. Promotion without bias
2. The following are the training prospects of a secretary in a public establishment.
a. On the job-training
b. Industrialization
c. Orientation
d. Scholarship
e. Study leave
f. Day Release
g. Attendance at Conferences
h. Attendance at workshop
3. The following are the occupational mobility prospects of a secretary in a public establishment.
a. Job satisfaction
b. Promotion
c. Change of job
d. Change of cadre
e. Confirmation of appointment
f. Regularization
5.3 Recommendations
From the summary and conclusion the career prospect of secretaries in public establishments depend on their ability, performances and training. It is the belief of the researcher that if the general public could implement the following recommendations, it would go a long way to enlighten people on what secretarial career entails and the prospect one can enjoy in the profession.
1. There should be from time to time in service training and development of skills for the secretaries in order to enhance their performance and earn them promotion.
2. The promotion of secretaries should be based on other factors like (years of service, loyalty etc) rather than the up-grading of skills as it more disadvantageous.
3. The secretaries should receive higher pay package in order to motivate them to work effectively
5.4 Suggestion for Further Study
Having successfully find out that there is a large and strong in career prospects of a confidential secretary on public establishment in Osun State.
The researcher also suggests that future studies on this research topic, apart from the researchers’ area of study.
.