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
Acknowledgment 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 rationalized the courses between the two sister institutions
with 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 keep 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 establishments?
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 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.