Operational Efficiency Of Digital Tools As Antidotes Towards Career Development Of Secretarial Students

Abstract

The study examined the operational efficiency of digital tools as antidotes towards career development of secretarial students. Four research questions and two hypotheses guided the study. A descriptive survey research design was used. The population of this study comprised all undergraduate in secretarial studies unity under Business Education department in Tai Solarin University of Education, Ijagun, Ogun State.  A total of 45 undergraduate in secretarial studies in the selected university were selected as sample size of the study through the use of purposive sampling technique. Researcher developed instrument tagged: Digital Tools and Career Development of Secretarial Students. Questionnaire (DTCDSSQ) with 0.90 as reliability coefficient was used for data collection. Research questions were analysis using mean and standard deviation. Hypotheses were tested using Pearson Product Moment Correlation (PPMC) and regression analysis. The findings of the study revealed that there was medium level of level of secretarial studies students’ operational efficiency of digital tools. Data analytic, digital marketing, social media, artificial intelligence, cybersecurity, cloud computing, and e-mailing skills were among the required digital skills of secretarial studies students’ operational efficiency of digital tools. Work faster than before, quick corrections of errors easy, increase performance level at work, innovative ways of business development, increases productivity level, and effectiveness towards career development were among role of digital tools in promoting career development of secretarial studies students. Lack of qualifications, not enough experience, self-doubt, changes in industry, time and fear, and uncertainty about goal were the challenges facing career development of secretarial studies students’ career development. There was significant relationship between operational efficiency of digital tools and career development of secretarial studies students (r = 0.322, p < .05). There was significant influence of operational efficiency of digital tools on career development of secretarial students (β = .976, t = 120.545, p <.05). It was recommended that Business educators should undertake regular and consisted training in digital skills acquisition and that digital skills should have embedded in the business education curriculum.