As a secretary, your duties would include typing, taking shorthand, answering telephones, openning mail, filing, photocopying and drafting letters. You might be a clerk-stenographer or a departmental, legal or medical secretary. Office automation is creating new opportunities within the profession, helping to change the traditional role of the secretary into more of an information worker.

WHAT YOU NEED:

Secondary and commercial secondary schools, vocational and community business colleges provide secreterial training. While the high scool education has been the basic entry requirement, more employers are demanding a college education. Community colleges offer one- to three-year programs for general, medical or legal secretaries. On-the-job training is sometimes available . Employers also recognize the C.P.S. (Certified Professional Secretary) designation available from the Professional Secretaries Association. Some secretaries or stenographers must also understand the technical language of a particular profession, such as in commerce, law or medicine.

SALARY:
$23,000 to $25,000