let's discuss the word "secretary".
i have never worked as a secretary before. i have been a receptionist, an administrative assistant and an office manager (all in different offices). while working under these job titles, i was frequently referred to as "secretary" even though that isn't really what i was. you know, i would overhear a client say "your secretary was very helpful" to my boss. i find that some people, men in particular, refer to all women working in the administrative field as secretaries but to me that conjurs up images of clacking typewriters and steno pads and stockings with seams. it just seems to be such an outdated word, and a very overused word. overused incorrectly.
there are some times when using this word is okay. if someone actually IS a secretary, such as a Legal Secretary, a Medical Secretary, a Secretary of State.
but just because a woman is behind a desk in a front office does not mean she is a "secretary". just because a woman is taking notes at a meeting, does not mean she is a "secretary", finally, just because a woman is helping you out on behalf of her boss, it does not mean that she is her boss's "secretary".
we are administrators. hear us roar.
Wednesday, March 02, 2005
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6 comments:
SING IT, my admin sistah!
<3Sask.
you're totally right about the seams. when i was a cocktail waitress i only wore seamed stockings because they got me much better better tips (i worked in a country club that catered almost exclusively to rich old men, the kind who use the word "secretary")
story of my damn life. my favorite is "glorified secretary" which is almost worse. you go!
<3 danielle
Uhm, I'm going to hate my self for doing this, but ...
Administrative assistant.
Receptionst
Secretary.
Elaborate on the difference, please, with tips as to how one might tell without the benefit of said person actually wearing a sign around their neck.
-G
as much as i would love to,i'm not going to make that list...all am saying is that unless you are SURE of someone's job title, you should not refer to it either to that person, or others in his/her precense.
i have been getting quite confused though, applying for jobs recently... because a lot of very similar sounding jobs have different titles. like i've been an office manager, and all of the administrator, etc jobs that i've applied for are basically the same... but secretary, no.
and i totally agree with the pk and sarah about the seams.
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