SOUTHWORDS
January 1969
Office Occupations provides girls with jobs, skills
no author
Office Occupations provides students with an opportunity to learn a vocation and to earn money.
In addition to these benefits, Office Occupations provides numerable social activities, honors and a rewarding future. But obtaining a job through this program, which is sponsored by Mrs. Caroline Boyd, is not a simple task.
The completion of a course in either Typing I, Accounting, or Data Processing with a C average grade is a prerequisite. Also taken into account are the student's attendance record, attitude and career objective. Upon fulfilling the necessary requirements members of O.O. must attend at least two or three interviews in the process of applying for a job. The interviews provide good experience for the students and give them a chance to make a choice of jobs before their final decision.
While employed at their job the students receive full credit while earning money, securing a good future, and also having fun. As a past graduate of O.O. stated, "I can honestly say that I learned more, did more work, and had more fun in the office occupations program than any other educational class."
The program develops the chosen interest of the student during a related course, also worth one credit, which is attended during his regular class schedule. In the related class the student learns to manipulate such devices as the ten-key adding machine, the ditto machine, and the key punch. Other devices include the comptometer, the dictaphone and the rotary calculator which adds, divides and multiplies. Also included in the class are the factors of leadership and human relations. In short, "Business experience gives a meaning to school," said Mrs. Boyd.
On the job a student may be employed as a secretary, receptionist or typist among other positions. The duties performed include such activities as data processing, shorthand, typing, filing and answering phones. The student is familiarized with a variety of facets of her job. She does not remain with only one type of work, but rotates on either a weekly or monthly basis, taking part in various kinds of work. This is a benefit to both the employee and employer for it allows the student to gain experience and gives the employer a learned worker in more than one area. The employer also benefits from this program in that the student is very productive and does a better than average job. A former member of O.O. said, "My boss almost cherishes the fact that he can say his secretary was in office occupations."
Office Occupations not only helps students to acquire poise and maturity, but also broadens their skills and provides an actual business environment. Although these are worthwhile assets for any kind of job, not all students become full-time job holders directly after high school. Over twenty-five percent of the members go on to college, and can count on a job for spring, summer, and Christmas vacations. Those who do not go on to college are already set up for a good future in the business world.