Jobs, Careers and Occupations

Secretaries

Secretaries Nature of Work

Secretaries perform a variety of administrative duties in support of managerial and professional employers. They are employed throughout the private and public sectors. Secretaries and administrative assistants usually work in schools, hospitals, corporate settings, or legal and medical offices.

Secretary Employment Requirements

• Completion of secondary school is usually required
• Completion of a one or two-year College or other program for secretaries
• Previous clerical experience is required.

Secretary Duties and Tasks

Secretaries may perform the following tasks:

• attend and take minutes of meetings, both in the office and at other locations
• draft letters and reports on behalf of the organization
• file correspondence and other records
• hire and supervise staff
• maintain budget and account records
• make and record appointments
• operate office equipment such as photocopiers, facsimile machines, switchboards, computers
• organize business itineraries, travel arrangements, conferences, meetings and social functions
• prepare agendas or programs for meetings
• purchase office supplies
• receive and process incoming and outgoing mail
• screen telephone and personal callers
• store and retrieve data on computers
• talk to clients
• transcribe shorthand notes or data from audio tapes into letters and reports using a computer

Secretary Example Titles

• executive secretary
• private secretary
• secretary
• technical secretary

Secretary Work Conditions

Secretaries’ jobs often involve sitting for long periods. The duties secretaries perform vary a great deal according to the size and type of organization in which they work.

Secretary Personal Requirements

• able to act with tact and discretion
• able to work independently
• aptitude for working with computers
• can work under pressure and meet deadlines
• good command of the English language, both written and spoken
• good grooming and presentation
• sound organizational and interpersonal skills

Secretary Related Occupations

• Executive Assistants
• Data Entry Clerks
• Legal Secretaries
• Medical Secretaries
• Office Administrators
• Office Managers
• Receptionists
• Word Processing Operators

Secretary Related Industries

All private and government industries.