1.0 Introduction
1.1 Background of the Study
In this part of the world a careful observer would discover that what we refer to as sociological factors affecting professional secretarial career in Nigeria has always been mistaken. The management of some entrepreneur and institution management has failed in their duties of providing these basic needs to their secretaries.
The world “secretary” has been defined by A.S Hornby, in the Advanced Learners Dictionary, as an employee or an official who deals with correspondences, keeps records, makes arrangements, appointment and other business affairs of the firm, society or club.
The Lexicon Webster dictionary, an encyclopedic edition, defines secretary as one entrusted with secrets, one who caries on another's correspondences and performs other routine task; an officer of an organization or business who keeps records and assists in major decisions, a government officer whose business is to superintendent and manage the affairs of a particular department.
Office is of paramount importance to the organization since it is a decision making centre and it is through the office functions that the organization achieves its goals.
The importance of a secretary in any organization is not to be over –emphasized but the profession has been misconstrued due to small ill informed masses. M. blight (1983) in duties of a professional secretary commented on this. He said that, this argument is, in part, attributed to the inability of employers to clearly specify job description for professional secretaries. Again, B.O.Ekong (1984) in his article titled problems in professional secretarial career' hold that, ‘some employers believe that the secretarial school merely teachers shorthand and typewriting to its graduates therefore, did not see the reason as to the substance of making them beneficiaries of some service conditions and promotional benefit, with their counterparts in other fields. This could be the reason why a secretary's opinion is always neglected in decision making. Although he has been employed by the boss for his assistance, but his opinion is not always appreciated.
He attends meeting just as minutes jotter and reporter, his opinion is not being sought for in decision making. L.N.Mbaga (1984) in contemporary views, said that, “a professional secretaries are held as drop outs forced by self –induced disappointments and frustrations to specialize in typewriting and shorthand”.
Due to this misconception of the profession, less importance is attached to the secretary position. The secretary in an organization, is seen by other members of the organization, as merely an appendage. In most cases, he is regarded as a shorthand/typist by a majority of people. People well informed who are supposed to acknowledge the importance of secretaries in the society and consequently he feels slighted.
Some employers seen not to know the difference between the work of an office messenger and that of a secretary. Some secretaries are expected to do the boss's wife or other co-workers and consequently this affects her psychologically. This was confirmed by an interview conducted by Nicola Tyre (1984), when a lady secretary said that at one time she had two houses to run as well as her normal job. She went on complaining that she was used as a domestic skinny, doing her boss's personal errand running such as buying a present for the wife and her weekly shopping.
These type of problems facing secretaries in the job tend to affect their productivity and stability, even those with genuine interest for the career one scared away and consequently secretaries change of occupation becomes more, than in other fields like engineering, business administration etc.
1.2 Statement of Problem
It is an understatement to say that the professional secretarial career is unimportant. It is obvious that it is much important, it is also competitive and marketable and deserves nothing but recognition from every perceiving eye. A training secretary is capable and prominent office hand hence has presence is essential to the office. Infact, he is the boss as a nurse or a paramedical staff into the office. Surgeon and this contributes is no small way to the success of the boss and the entire organization.
The secretary profession is indeed on career that attracts a discrimination image from society's evaluating eyes. Most managers who require to assistance of the secretary in the office fail totally to accord him a befitting recognition, rather they show disregard and disrespect for the career.
As a matter of fact, the word secretary is often misunderstood by many people. While some are of the opinion that anybody who can write short-hand and use typewriter as well as known as a secretary, others see it as merely a woman's career and consequently, a non-prestigious one.
The trend of though is due to a misconception and the culminating results from this trend of events are for reaching and affects the secretarial career very adversely. The secretary feels slighted, he is demotivated both to join and stay in the profession, he suffers image and personality (ego) problems and these accounts for his detraction and adherence and thus mass exodus to other profession.
Based on the foregoing, therefore the study was geared towards identifying the factors responsible for the dissatisfaction of professional secretaries on their job performance and solutions to salvage the profession.
1.3 Purpose of the Study
The purpose of this study is to investigate the causes of non-recognition of secretaries and their profession or career along side similar professions in our society. To achieve these objectives and these following research questions will be answered.
- To know the challenges faces Prof. Secretaries in their job performance.
- To what extent do these challenges Prof. secretaries stability in the career.
- To know the measured could be taken to solve this problem.
- To identify' s those factors that affect secretaries on the job function.
1.4 Significance of the Study
This research work attempt were made to identify and analyze those factors that contribute to secretaries unhappiness or dissatisfaction while on the job performance. It is intended to reveal to the prospective secretaries on what they should expect from the profession.
Finally, it is also intended to give clear picture of what the profession is all about.
1.5 Scope of the Study
This research work is designed to study the sociological factors affecting professional secretarial career in Nigeria.
A lot of organizations are now aware that secretaries needs to be provides with high productivity in the organization.
The study was conducted in various organization as well as the two higher institutions, that is Rivers State University of Science and Technology & Rivers State College of Education all in Rivers State.
1.6 Research Question
- What in your opinion lowers the status of the secretarial profession in Nigeria?
- What sort of problems do you encounter in the office and from your employer?
- Are you recognized as a member of the management team?
- What is your view on the way secretaries are generally treated?
- What type of position are you expecting at the end of your course?
