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Word Processors operate automated or electric keyboards, computers, and/or terminals to enter, store, revise, and reproduce business documents and to help facilitate the flow of related office work. Information may be submitted as typed copy, handwritten copy, or a recording. When using personal computers, information may be received electronically via a wide or local area network. Word processing units typically use floppy disks, hard surfaced disks, magnetic tape, or magnetic cards for information storage.

JOB DUTIES

Word Processors may:

Load blank tapes, cards, or disks in the console

Insert paper into the printer

Set controls for margins, spacing, and tabulation

Enter text in the computer's or word processor's memory using an optical scanner

Type from the draft or from machine dictation

Read the copy for errors

Search for a specific set of stored, typed characters in order to make changes

Retype and add or delete letters, words, or lines

Move paragraphs and/or columns and reformat the document

Enter the computer commands to print and/or save the document(s)

Remove the copy and record from the machine

Keep a log of reference numbers and data recorded on each tape, card, or disk

File tapes, cards, disks, correspondence, and reports

The tools, equipment, and materials used may include:

Most machines use a video display screen called a cathode ray tube (CRT) or visual display unit (VDU).

OCCUPATIONAL SPECIALTIES

Word Processors may specialize in these areas:

203.382-030 WORD PROCESSORS operate automated or electric keyboards and/or consoles to enter, store, revise, and reproduce business documents and to help facilitate the flow of related office work. Information may be submitted as typed copy, handwritten copy, or a recording. Word processing units typically use floppy disks, hard-surfaced disks, magnetic tape, or magnetic cards for information storage.

In addition to learning about these specialties, you may also find it helpful to explore the following MOIScripts:

Beginning Word Processors generally work under the supervision of a more experienced worker or a clerical supervisor. Some may work under the direction of the office supervisor.

Word Processors usually work in clean, well lighted, and well ventilated offices. Large offices may be noisy from office machines or people talking. Although their work is seldom hazardous, the possibilities of stress and eyestrain exist because of the need to pay close attention to detail and/or monitor a CRT for long periods of time. Recently, studies have focused on the possibility of complications of pregnancy among women who work extensively at word processing terminals.

Most Word Processors work a 5-day, 35-40 hour week. They might have to work overtime occasionally to complete a project or meet a deadline.

Some Word Processors join professional associations such as the Professional Secretaries International. Depending on whether the company for which they work is unionized, they may also join a union. Members of unions or associations pay periodic fees or dues.

You Should Prefer:

• Activities of a routine, definite, organized nature

• Activities involving machines, processes, or methods

• Activities concerned with the communication of information

You Should Be Able To:

• See detail in objects or drawings

• Recognize slight differences in shapes or shadings

• See details and recognize errors in numbers, spelling & punctuation

• Determine correct grammar, punctuation, and spelling for information

• Repeat tasks of short duration according to a set procedure

• Work within precise standards of accuracy

• Make decisions based on verifiable data

Math Problem You Should Be Able to Solve:

If you get paid $7.00 an hour and you work 40 hour weeks, what is your gross pay for a 2 week check?

Reading Example You Should Be Able to Read and Comprehend:

Requests for a leave of absence must be made in writing by using a leave of absence agreement form. This form documents the day the leave begins and ends.

Writing Example You Should Be Able to Produce:

You should be able to rewrite a piece of work, revising it into a draft that is free of errors.

Thinking Skill You Should Be Able to Demonstrate:

You should be able to decide what changes need to be made to a certain piece of work so that it can be correct.

Employers may require applicants to demonstrate ability to type quickly and accurately, usually at a speed of at least 50 words per minute and use basic spelling skills. Applicants for government jobs must take civil service examinations.

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EDUCATION AND PREPARATION OPPORTUNITIES

NOTE: On-The-Job Training provided by the employer or a High School Diploma or Equivalent or a High School Diploma with specific Vocational Education Classes or a Certificate (program of up to one year of study beyond high school) or an Associate Degree (two years of study beyond high school) may qualify a person for this occupation.

The following education and preparation opportunities are helpful in preparing for occupations in the MOIScript:

***SCHOOL SUBJECTS***

0600 BUSINESS , 0700 CAREERS , 0900 COMMUNICATIONS , 1000 COMPUTERS , 1300 ENGLISH , 2200 MATH , 3300 TECHNOLOGY

***VOCATIONAL EDUCATION PROGRAMS***

009 SECRETARIAL & RELATED PROGRAMS

This program prepares students to record and transcribe communications, to provide administrative support, and to abstract, classify, and file information. Word processing skills are an integral part of the program. Advanced secretarial students, who complete their instructional activities before the end of the year, may enroll in other vocational programs to acquire additional skills. Skills could be acquired, for example, in a graphic arts program for such occupations as forms designer, keyboard operator, keyliner, offset press operator, and proofreader.

The following courses may be required for completion of this program:

High school students should consult their guidance office for more information about the specific requirements of this program at their school or area vocational education center.

010 BUSINESS SERVICES & TECHNOLOGY

Approved programs in the Business Services and Technology are a combination of programs in accounting and computing, business data processing, and secretarial programs. The "cluster" provides students with access to acquiring an employable skill for an occupation within the broad field of business and office.

Courses in other business and office programs may be required for completion of this program.

High school students should consult their guidance office for more information about the specific requirements of this program at their school or area vocational education center.

***POSTSECONDARY PROGRAMS***

179 WORD PROCESSING

Programs in Word Processing provide opportunities to gain skills in typewriting, machine transcription, and automatic typewriting. Word Processing has been developed to improve the efficiency and effectiveness of business communications.

Courses vary from school to school but may include:

                Search for a College and/or Instructional Program

***APPRENTICESHIP OPPORTUNITIES***

There are no Apprenticeships related to this MOIScript

***MILITARY TRAINING PROGRAMS***

Please check the Military web site at http://www.myfuture.com

ADMINISTRATIVE SUPPORT SPECIALISTS

The military must keep accurate information for planning and managing its operations. Written and automated records are kept on equipment, funds, personnel, supplies, and all other aspects of the military. Administrative support specialists record information, type reports, and maintain files to assist in the operation of military offices.

What They Do

Administrative support specialists in the military perform some or all of the following duties:

• Type letters, reports, requisition (order) forms, and official orders

• Proofread written material for spelling, punctuation, and grammatical errors

• Organize and maintain files and publications

• Order office supplies

• Greet and direct office visitors

• Sort and deliver mail to office workers

• Schedule training and leave for unit personnel

• Answer phones and provide general information

• Take meeting notes

Work Environment

Administrative support specialists work in office settings, both on land and aboard ships.

Helpful Attributes

Helpful school subjects include English, math, business administration, and typing. Helpful attributes include:

• Interest in keeping organized and accurate records

• Preference for office work

• Interest in operating typewriters, word processors, and other office machines

• Ability to organize and plan

Training Provided

Job training consists of 6 to 10 weeks of classroom instruction, including practice in various office functions. Course content typically includes:

• English grammar, spelling and punctuation

• Typing and clerical skills

• Setting up and maintaining filing and publication systems

• Preparing forms and correspondence in military style

Further training occurs on the job.

Civilian Counterparts

Civilian administrative support specialists work in most business, government, and legal offices. They perform duties similar to military administrative support specialists and are called clerk typists, secretaries, general office clerks, administrative assistants, or office managers.

Opportunities

The military has about 44,930 administrative support specialists. On average, the services need about 3,100 new specialists each year. After job training, specialists develop their skills under close supervision. As they gain experience, specialists are assigned more difficult tasks and work more independently. In time, they may supervise and eventually manage an office. With experience and additional training, they may become secretaries, legal technicians, personnel specialists or enter related fields.

E-Learning Courses and Programs

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OPPORTUNITIES FOR EXPERIENCE AND METHODS OF ENTRY

Although few ways to explore or gain experience exists except through training, summer or part-time clerical jobs may offer a chance to sharpen skills and observe the duties of a word processor. Secondary vocational education programs in business services and technology and secretarial and related programs, and postsecondary education programs in word processing may offer practical experience through a co-op portion.

School-to-Work opportunities include:

informal apprenticeships

mentorships

job shadowing experiences

touring a local Word Processor employer

internships

volunteer work with a Word Processor employer

community service work with an agency

Individuals may enter this field as typists or secretaries. Training in the use of word processing equipment may be provided by employers. Interested persons may find help through high school and business schools placement services, applying at business personnel offices, and by looking at want ads in the newspaper. The local office of Michigan Works! may offer assistance. Individuals who seek government employment should apply at civil service offices. In addition, you should access and search the Internet's on-line employment services sites such as:

Michigan Jobs & Career Portal

Michigan Talent Bank

America's Job Bank

Classifieds Employment

Yahoo! Careers

MONSTER.COM

           You should also enter an electronic resume on these on-line services.

EARNINGS AND ADVANCEMENT

Earnings of Word Processors vary according to their experience, level of responsibility, employer and geographic location.

Nationally, Word Processing Operators had salaries ranging from $13,000 to $39,000 (1998). The average annual salary of Word Processing Operators was $25,168.

Word processing operators working in the transportation/utility industry had the highest earnings, while those working in education had the lowest. Word processing supervisors in the medical/legal industry had the highest earnings, while those working in construction/mining/agriculture had the lowest.

Typists, of which Word Processing Operators are a part, working for Federal Government agencies had salaries ranging from $15,023 to $23,918 per year in 1999. The salaries of these federal government workers may be higher in some urban areas.

Word Processors working in various Michigan areas had the following annual earnings (1998):

Word Processors working for county government agencies in 1998 earned from $13,333 to $29,790 per year. Those employed by the State of Michigan in mid 1999 earned from $23,156 to $33,492 per year. Word processing supervisors earned from $29,148 to $46,124 per year.

Most Word Processors receive paid vacations and holidays; life, accident, disability, and hospitalization insurance; retirement plans; and sick pay. Some may have stock investment plans. These benefits are usually paid for, at least in part, by the employer.

Advancement usually comes with additional education or training or with experience and seniority. A career ladder may include trainee, Word Processor, and word processing supervisor. Advancement can take several forms. Many Word Processors consider higher pay a form of advancement. Word Processors may also advance to other jobs which involve originating, proof-reading, and editing documents; establishing and coordinating priorities within a unit; supervising other word processors; or providing management direction for word processing and administrative services.

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EMPLOYMENT AND OUTLOOK

There were approximately 652,500 typists including Word Processors, employed nationally in 1996. Employment opportunities for typists and Word Processors are expected to decline through the year 2006. Personal computers have allowed other workers to perform work formerly done by typists. Most professionals and managers now use personal computers to enter data and do their own word processing. About 2.9% of Typists and Word Processors were self-employed. The industry distribution for Typists including Word Processor looked like this:

Those with high school, vocational school, or college training in business and clerical skills will have the best opportunities, especially if the training includes one or more of the widely used business word processing programs.

There are approximately 24,150 Word Processors and Typists employed in Michigan. Word Processors are employed by many industries in Michigan. Employers include manufacturing companies, courts, probation departments, welfare departments, police departments, colleges, law offices, insurance companies, hospitals, utility companies, and banks. Although most Word Processors are female but opportunities exist for any qualified applicant.

Employment of Word Processors in Michigan is expected to decline through the year 2005. Many openings will be filled by typists who have been retrained in word processing skills. An average of 260 openings is expected annually, with almost all due to replacement of those who retire, die, or leave the labor force for other reasons. The future looks especially bright for individuals already working in word processing.

Word processing equipment is becoming less expensive all the time. As equipment manufacturers achieve greater efficiencies in production, however, word processing machines with increased capability will be available at an even lower cost. This will mean increased usage by smaller companies and a greater demand for Word Processors. Word processing software has also been developed for use with low cost personal computers that are being used by small businesses. This may help spur demand for Word Processors. However, further automation of tasks will reduce demand. Sophisticated optical character readers have made entry of data and text more productive. Advances in telecommunications allow large data entry and processing firms to employ workers in nations with low wages to enter data.

MICHIGAN'S EMPLOYMENT OUTLOOK TO 2005

SOURCES OF ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

Printed Occupational information is available upon written request from the sources below.

MOISCRIPTS are Copyright 2003, Michigan Department of Career Development