Relevance Of Industrial Work Experience To Secretarial Students
(A Case Study Of The Department Of Secrtarial Studies Imt Enugu)
Industrial work experience holds significant importance for secretarial students as it provides them with practical insights into the dynamic and demanding landscape of administrative roles. This exposure goes beyond theoretical knowledge, allowing students to grasp the intricacies of office operations, time management, and interpersonal skills. Engaging in industrial work experience equips secretarial students with firsthand understanding of office protocols, document management, and communication etiquette. Additionally, it fosters adaptability by exposing them to diverse workplace scenarios, enhancing their problem-solving abilities. Through this experiential learning, secretarial students can hone their organizational skills, attention to detail, and efficiency in handling various administrative tasks. Consequently, the incorporation of industrial work experience into the secretarial education curriculum enhances students’ employability, ensuring they are well-prepared for the challenges of the professional administrative landscape.
The student’s industrial work experience scheme (SIWES) Relevance to the Department of Secretarial Studies was researched upon. The instruments used was questionnaire ands this questionnaire items were used to answer the research questions. The results were collected and analyzed in the chapters that make up this study
Journals, Encyclopedia and project works of others scholars were used in the review of literature. Students of the department of secretarial studies of Institute of Management and Technology Enugu and (4) SIWES staff in Enugu were sampled and they constituted the respondents.
Based on the analysis, Major findings emerged revealing that students did receive practical work on the job training. The SIWES scheme further exposes students to proper methods of using and handling secretarial equipments and development.
However, the study concluded that if students are adequately exposed to research materials and facilities, if students are provided with thorough and proper supervision by supervisors, if orientation towards equipment and machinery handling was well fashioned out, there will necessary be an upsurge in performance rates
Therefore, the researcher recommends that following
That employers ought to accept students supervisors need to be attached to individuals students. Students should be allowed to express and get themselves exposed to secretarial practices in order to acquire a deeper re-orientation before the commencement of the programme if adequate performance is to be guaranteed
Title page
Approval page
Dedication
Acknowledgements
Abstract
Table of content
CHAPTER ONE
1.0 Introduction
1.1 Background of the study
1.2 Statement of the problem
1.3 Need for study
1.4 Significance of the study
1.5 Scope and limitation of the study
1.6 Research proportion
CHAPTER TWO
2.0 Literature Review
2.1 SIWES as a means of practical on the job training
2.2 Providing indigenous manpower through SIWES
2.3 SIWES and students experience of practical knowledge in the use of machines and equipments.
2.4 SIWES relevance of the department of secretarial studies.
2.5 Summary of related literature
CHAPTER THREE
3.0 Design of the study
3.1 Population for the study
3.2 Sample size
3.3 Development of research material
3.4 Questionnaire Design
3.5 Research procedure
3.6 Treatment of data
CHAPTER FOUR
4.0 Analysis and presentation of data
4.1 Analysis of questionnaire responses
4.2 Analysis of questionnaire responses from the SIWES
CHAPTER FIVE
5.0 Summary of findings, Conclusion and Recommendations
5.1 Summary of findings
5.2 Conclusions
5.3 Recommendations
References
Appendix
1.0 INTRODUCTION
1.1 BACKGROUND OF THE STUDY
The student’s industrial work Experience Scheme (SIWES) is a programme designed to expose and prepare students in the institutions of Higher Learning for the Industrial work situation, how to relate to God and how to manage oneself. These they are likely to meet after graduation.
The scheme affords students the opportunity of seeing familiarized and exposed to the needed experience in handling of machinery and equipment which are usually not available in the educational institutions.
Furthermore, the scheme exposes the students to work methods and prepare them in safeguarding the work area and other workers in the industry.
SIWES was introduced by the Industrial Training Fund (ITF) in Nigeria in (1973) about 31 years ago. It was then limited to students of technology. Today it has covered many disciplines and has become a necessary recognition for the award of national diploma (ND) and Higher National Diploma (HND) in polytechnics in the country.
A center focus of the scheme is to enlist and strengthen employers involvement in the educational process of preparing students for the worlds of work. The scheme is therefore aimed at promoting the much-desired technological know-how ultimate goal of the scheme force needed to build a self-reliance economy.
The following are SIWES relevance to secretarial studies.
It provides opportunity for the researcher and co-students to gain experiences as a supplement to their students by this, the researcher’s writing in this project will be supervised by the supervisor who helps to direct on how to carry out any given task.
It affords students the opportunity of being familiarized and exposed to the needed experience in secretarial studies.
It exposes the researcher/students to real life situation thus supplementing the theoretical lessons in the classroom.
It helps students to be acquainted to what nature of job they are likely to meet at the labor market.
It broader the knowledge and understanding of the students in terms of each person to know more
It is to prepare the researcher the participating students for better future use of their hand s and brain.
It helps students to gather more information for difficult issues.
It is one of the most task to take before graduating as a national diploma holder before enrolling for higher national diploma
As a problems facing the department and a solution to it is to relate it to the people in charge for better result in due time for the life wire of secretarial; studies.
1.2 STATEMENT OF THE PROBLEMS
It has been observed that some students have some misconception about the work experience programme of the I.T.F. some students for example, equate the programmer with holidays job. Hence the commitment is lacking and so the skills and experience to be gained cannot be acquired from the scheme.
Again there is relevance among large number of employers to accept and provide facilities necessary for meaningful industrial experience to students. The fears of many employers are that students are inexperienced to handle certain delicate machines and tools without damaging them. A situation in which students are not allowed to use certain equipment does not provide the desired experience needed to prepare them for the world of work.
Also some students are not supervised during the attachments or training period at all. This is attributable to lack of adequate transportation facilities and or lack of seriousness on the part of their supervisors.
1.3 PURPOSE OF STUDY
The need of this study which was carried out and conducted in the department of secretarial studies. Institute of management and technology in 2004/2005 is to determine that it is of relevance to students to participate fully during their industrial work experience scheme. The researcher also wants to have an empirical base not to support all the sources about the poor impression students have on the industrial work experience scheme. Students must learn to think about themselves not as just a student, but as a product of oneself and doing the things which will make people to want deal with them. Do students of secretarial studies really know their works, and are they wooing secretarial studies as mere woo girks they fancy or love
If my findings are not valid, I would say there are no bases for the SIWES, but that it arise because students ought to do well in their discipline.
1.4 SIGNIFICANCE OF THE STUDY
From the need for study it was assumed that the scheme is completely different from ordinary long vocation employment of the undergraduate. It is a continuation of the students studies.
SIWES as a t the time of its inception was limited to students of Engineering and Technology only. But today it covers many disciplines because of its relevance to technological and economic development. The scheme has succeeded in establishing a closer collaboration between institutions and industries which is essential for preparing young people skillfully for the world of work.
It helps to prepare students to fit in, readily to employment industries and commerce. Students no becomes exposed to real life situation, thus supplementing the theoretical lessons in the classroom. The research will also try to make the industrial training fund realize the existence of the department of secretarial studies and to include them in the eligible course for which SIWES and industrial training fund were compulsorily and centrally funded. This is because secretary-ship is one of the professional courses which its advantages cannot be over emphasized.
The study will also serve as useful information to any person who wants to research on related issues.
1.5 SCOPE OF THE STUDY
This study covers students industrial work experience scheme relevance to the secretarial studies department.
The institution of management and technology (IMT) Enugu was studied and no attempt was made to study any other department in any other institution involved in the scheme.
1.6 LIMITATION
In the course of carrying out this study the researcher was faced with financial difficulties and time constraints. Some of the respondents were also reluctant to respond to all items listed to the accuracy of information gotten from the students and SIWES staff who were the respondents to the questionnaire items.
1.7 RESEARCH QUESTIONS
1. Do students that participate in SIWES programmer receive enough practical from the programme
2. Do students participating in SIWES gain insight into the industrial operations.
3. In SIWES helping in generating a pool of indigenous trained manpower needed in the country
4. Does SIWES help to expose students to methods of handling equipments and machinery
5. Do the students gain supervised experience in industries through SIWES
SHARE PROJECT MATERIALS ON:
Relevance Of Industrial Work Experience To Secretarial Students:
Industrial work experience can be highly relevant and beneficial to secretarial students in several ways:
- Practical Application of Skills: Secretarial students learn various administrative and organizational skills during their coursework. Industrial work experience provides them with an opportunity to apply these skills in a real-world setting. They can practice tasks such as data entry, document management, appointment scheduling, and communication with clients or colleagues, which are essential for secretarial roles.
- Exposure to Office Environment: Working in an industrial setting exposes secretarial students to different office environments, work cultures, and industries. This exposure can help them adapt to various workplace dynamics and expectations, making them more versatile and adaptable secretaries in the future.
- Networking: During their industrial work experience, secretarial students may interact with professionals from different departments and roles within the organization. This networking can be invaluable for building connections and gaining insights into potential career paths beyond secretarial positions.
- Improved Communication Skills: Secretaries need strong communication skills to interact with clients, colleagues, and superiors effectively. In an industrial work setting, students can refine their communication skills by engaging with diverse groups of people and handling various communication channels like emails, phone calls, and in-person interactions.
- Time Management and Multitasking: Industrial work often requires employees to manage multiple tasks and deadlines simultaneously. Secretarial students can benefit from learning how to prioritize tasks, manage their time efficiently, and handle pressure, all of which are essential skills in a secretarial role.
- Problem-Solving and Critical Thinking: Working in an industrial environment may present unexpected challenges and problem-solving opportunities. Secretarial students can develop their critical thinking skills by finding creative solutions to these challenges, which will serve them well in their future roles.
- Understanding Industry-Specific Needs: Depending on the industry, secretaries may have to deal with specific terminology, regulations, or processes. Industrial work experience allows students to gain a deeper understanding of these industry-specific needs, which can make them more valuable assets in specialized sectors.
- Resume Enhancement: Having industrial work experience on their resumes can make secretarial students more attractive to potential employers. It demonstrates that they have practical experience and a better understanding of the demands of the job.
- Confidence Building: Gaining hands-on experience in an industrial setting can boost a student’s confidence in their abilities. This confidence can translate into better job performance and a smoother transition into a secretarial role after graduation.
In conclusion, industrial work experience can complement the education of secretarial students by providing them with practical skills, exposure to different work environments, and a competitive edge in the job market. It prepares them to be more effective, adaptable, and well-rounded professionals in the field of secretarial work