Causes of Occupational Change in Secretarial Profession (A Case Study of Institute of Management and Technology (IMT) Enugu)
This chapter dealt with the review of literature on the following subheading. The meaning of occupational changes causes of occupational change on secretarial profession and individual secretary. Solution to reason for occupational change in secretarial profession, summary.
- MEANING OF OCCUPATIONAL CHANGES
Ronnies (1978) define occupational change as:
A process in which an individual makes decisions (or does not) and is influenced by the environment or attempts to change these influences where possible, the result of which to close off certain avenues of possible occupational activity and to open others (114).
Ronnies maintained that factors involved in this process are the individual’s choice of high school education, marriage, age, place of residence, cultural and working conditions.
However, occupation change is based on combination of accident (external events beyond one’s control0 impulse (internal unconscious motives) and rationally planned and organized effort by the individual. It is developmental process in which the individual becomes more and more aware of his or her personal likes and dislike, abilities, and values.
According to Musler (1962); occupational mobility, which means movement of labour from one occupation to another in order to gain more job satisfaction.
Duru (1984) promoted out that occupational change is a horizontal movement or changes along the same line of action which is motivated by interest or dislike after a given period of time that training and in presence had taken place that is to say, an employee who has been trained and worked for number of years may decide to change his occupation to another different occupation, even with or without additional pay because of interest or dislike of the former.
In recent time, people move or change to another job because of special prestige or like, and not necessarily because of more pay. For example, a teacher in grade level 12 may decide to change to practice law or other profession because of interest the develops on it. That is to say, one ca change to another occupation which the grade level 15 equivalent or greater than the former base on the interest or dis-likeness.
CAUSES OF OCCUPATIONAL CHANGES
Rytina (1981) reported that the labour force is characterized by a relatively high degree of occupational change. Studies have shown that most workers are employed in occupations, which differ from those of their fathers. Occupation shifts are also quite common over the course of a worker’s career.
The occupation held by a worker in midlife often differs from the first occupation after learning school.
Nancy (1981) stated that age is the factor most associated in the occupational change. In his survey, Nancy maintained that of the total .8.4 million workers who shifted occupations between January 1980 and 1981, 70% were under age 35, although this age group accounted for only .46% of the labour force in 1981.
Duru (1994) said that high rates of occupational mobility among young workers are accounted for by a number of factor
Upon completion of school, young person after try several fields of employment before setting into a career. Also, s many of them makes changes in residence and lung arrangements, they also change occupation (P90).
In contrast, occupational change among older workers occurs less frequently because of attachments to a particular occupation or the risks of losing income, job security, and pension rights, which might accompany an occupational shift.
Philip (2000) reported that the reason given for changing one’s occupation is one factor, which is not strongly related to age. Close to 43 percent of all workers reported better pay as the most important reason for shifting occupations better pay in cited more frequently than any other reasons among all age, sex, race and ethnic groups except workers ages 55 and over. A larger percentage of older workers cited “other reasons (presumably) retirement from the pervious occupation than better pay.
Duru (2001) pointed out some occupational change occurs when there is no job security, lack of honour/disregard; prestigeless and low status. The economic recession of 2000 have some bearing that nearly 11 percentage of all workers in secretarial organization.
Odum (2000), stated that occupational change among secretaries is due lack of training and promotion. In many organizations, secretaries are not adequately considered for further training and promotion that may motivate them to continue with their job.
Opel (1984) reported that serial harassment and marriage are among the reason secretaries change their occupation. A total of 10 women reported that they change their occupation of secretary due to incessant cases of sexual intimidation by their superiors.
The advent of computer and relative social changes is mounting fear on secretaries to change their occupation to another. Occupation, which is unlikely affected by social changes.
Akpan (2001) felt pity with number of secretarial laid off in some factories, professional cited that they jobless; or layoff and social change are the reason for changing occupations.
Okorie (2002) reported that secretarial profession recorded the highest rate of occupational change due to some bosses lack of prestige, work load or excessive responsibilities.
Okorie added that secretaries are being given grater responsibilities without additional pay. That some secretaries, complained that their reason for changing occupation is due to the fact that secretary in every organisation is exceptional knowledge, abilities and years of experiences. As soon as the secretary could not meet the admiration of her chief executive, the tenure of her occupation may be terminated unexpectedly.
Many secretary change their occupation because they feel uncomfortably in their companies and public establishment in Nigeria due to the advent of computers. Many secretaries were asked to go further training on their own expenses. Those who cannot afford the costs decided to leave the occupation.
Peaker (1194) noted that one of the major causes of occupational change is tress. Stress at work is a health and safety problem and that employers have a duty under section 2 of health and safety at work to take all reasonably practicable measures to prevent stress at work. Under section 7 of the Act, employees have a duty not to endanger themselves or others and to co-operate with their employer. In meeting satisfactory requirements.
British guideline on the management of Asthma (2003) has identified occupational asthmas as one of the cause of occupational changes occupational asthma. May account for about 10% of adult on set asthma. It is now the commonest industrial lung disease in the world with over 400 reported cause.
2.3 EFFECTS OF OCCUPATIONAL CHANGE ON INDUSTRIAL SECRETARY
Douglas (2000) stated; occupational changes has a significant effect on the career path planning. The influx and the rapid development of new businesses in Nigeria is beginning to bring to the fore the challenge of occupational by individual, organisations and human Resources Executive Organisations where high performing independent contributors or specialists are promoted into leadership roles and end up with disappointing.
Career research has consistently shown that individual secretaries are most stimulated and challenged by staying specialized and remaining in one occupational or job area for most part of her profession life, other individuals prefer variety, risk and challenge or starting owing one’s own business that typically opportunities. Effective alignment of an employees preferred career path professions will result in increased satisfaction, productivity and retention.
Okpoko (2002) noted that occupational change favours those interested in continually organizational supervisory and managerial positions endanger themselves or others and to co-operate with their employer in meeting statutory requirements.
British guideline on the management of Asthma (2003) has. Identified occupational asthma as one of the case of occupational changes – occupational asthma may account for about 10% of adult on set asthma. It is now the commonest industrial lung disease in the world with over 400 reported causes.
Benson (2002) stated the secretarial profession is yet to be identified with characteristics of professionalism due to incessant cases of occupational changes, secretary profession lack the basic characteristic of professional body. Such as:
- No registration of secretaries and issuance of license.
- It does not enjoy any autonomy.
- It is an all careers job as has been note earlier. There is ‘that anybody can be secretary syndromes”, and this resulted in the recruitment of unskilled school leaves in the secretary qualification. Most of these unqualified secretaries make secretarial with increasing spans of control, responsibility, power, and authority.
Occupational change has some negative effect on those interested in remaining in one career field or profession for much if their specialists are able to highly refine their technical knowledge, skill and abilities. These individuals are less interested in moving up as they are in becoming the expert and in wrong autonomy to do things their way.
Adele (1986) stated that occupational change enables individual to gain appropriate organisational rewards which include job enrichment, containing education, membership in professional association, recognition, motivational program, tenure and job security.
Douglas (1978) stated occupational changes gives an individual secretary to enjoy working on diverse project, tasks, assignments, and visible out comes.
- Occupational change as it affect secretarial profession
Ogbu (2004) emphasized that the existence of any profession is determined by the number of qualified members. Any profession that of its members cannot last, and body. The rate in which occupational change takes place among secretaries has relegated the professionalization of secretary occupation. A Lot of people are not interested in the secretary profession. The members are not regarded. The occupational change affect in code of ethics. Companies and public establishment in Nigeria due to the advent of computers./ those who cannot afford the costs decided to leave the occupation.
Parker (1994) noted that one of the major cause of occupational change is stress. Stress at work is a health and safety problem and that employers have a duty under section 2 of health and safety at work to take all reasonably practicable measures to prevent stress at work under section 7 of the Act, employees have a duty not to occupation.
- It is dominated by women.
- It holds no monopoly over its activities and or knowledge.
- It does not set up its own standards.
- It has no recognized constitutional.
- HOW TO OVERCOME THE PROBLEMS WHY PEOPLE RUN AWAY FROM SECRETARIAL ADMINISTRATION.
- According to Agudlelu (1992) stated that our skills must be constantly updated. Administration professional are being given even greater responsibilities. In today’s business environment, you need every advantage to stay on top what can you do to adopt to these.
- Changes and maximize your value to employers? Professional certification shows employers, clients and associates that you are serious about your career. The International Association of Administration Professionals (R) (IAAP®) effect the certified professional secretary (R) (CPS®) rating and the certified Administrative Professional (R) (CAP®) ratings. Certification is avaliable tool for both employers and administrative professionals for employers, it assures that a prospective or existing employee has the highest standard of professional. Understanding and technical skill. For administrative professionals; certification opens doors to advancement opportunities and is a valuable learning experience.
- Advance competencies: advanced competencies required to perform effectively as an administrative professional. This advanced certification program builds on the existing certified professional secretary (CPS) rating. The CAP exam was offered for the first time nearly 1100 administrative professionals have achieved the CAP rating. The CAP examination is a one by one half day exam with four parts. The CAP exam is offered twice annually in May and November. The CAP and CPS exams have similar eligibility requirements. However, to apply to take the CAP exam; you must have completed two to four year of work experience as an administrative secretary in the past is years. Your educational background determines the amount of required work experience. Although advantageous membership in IAAP is not required to take either exam.
- Work experience must meet IAAP’S definition “Individual who are responsible for administrative tasks and co-coordinators of information in support of an office related environment and who are dedicated furthering their personal and professional growth in the chosen profession “It is important that your work experience meets the definition.
As an example, this years of work experience as a retail store sales associated would not count towards your CPS or CAP rating. However, this years of work experience as office would not count towards CPS or CAP rating. However, two years of work experience as office manager for the retail store headquarter would qualify.
A year of volunteer work (20 hours per week) in the infant room of a day care center would not count towards your CPS or CAP rating. However, a year of volunteer experience (20 years per week) as a secretary in the volunteer administration officer would likely qualify.
- Level of formal education.
- Candidates with a high school diploma must have 4 years of experience.
- Candidates with an associate degree must have 3 years of experience candidates with a bachelor’s degree must have 2 years of experience. (Auderson 1988).
- Administrative secretary must study a wide range of materials and gain a broader education. This equips them to effectively handle a bigger array of problems and develop innovative ideas. Must study finance and Business Law, office systems and Administration and Management.
- The investment you make to become a secretarial administrator can yield significant personal and professional Advantages. Certification is a mark of excellence that you carry with you everywhere you go.
- Improvement in secretarial administration work experience will provide valuable background it is expected that competent administrative profession will be thoroughly familiar into current techniques in office practices and procedure, be aware of developments in office systems and technology and have the ability to apply sound management concepts. However, knowledge gained from formal education
Libson (1972) said that Reading enhances the skill. Many choose to se up a self-study program. IAAP publishes “The certificate Review Guide” to help candidates outline of course of study. This guide includes the content outline for sample questions and a bibliography of recommended study material Reference listed in the certification Review Guide are actual college textbooks uses to write exam questions. It is recommended that candidates use the least one textbook listed in each of the major test areas.
- SUMMARY OF LITERATURE REVIEW
Having reviewed both independent variable and dependent to this chapter, the researcher therefore summarizes by pointing out that some has resorted to running away from secretarial occupation as a result of
- The office working place is changing rapidly.
- Near technologies.
- Near stream lived organizations
- And Global competitions are transferring the way we think and work. The business world id changing dramatically and we, as professional secretarial administrators, must change with it. It si not a time to run away from it.
