Some secretaries do highly specialized work for which training is available in career schools and colleges as well as community colleges. Legal secretaries prepare legal papers and correspondence such as summonses, complaints, motions, and subpoenas. They may also review law journals and assist in other ways with legal research. Medical secretaries transcribe dictation, prepare correspondence, and assist physicians or medical scientists with reports, speeches, articles, and conference proceedings. They need to know medical terminology and be familiar with hospital or laboratory procedures.
Technical secretaries assist engineers or scientists.
In addition to the usual secretarial duties, they may prepare much of the correspondence, maintain the technical library, and gather and edit materials for scientific papers. Another specialized secretary is the social secretary sometimes called a personal secretary, who arranges social functions, answers personal correspondence, and keeps the employer informed about all social activities. Membership secretaries compile and maintain membership lists, record the receipt of dues and contributions, and give out information to members of organizations and associations. They may have such other duties as sending out newsletters and promotional materials. Working conditions Secretaries usually work in offices that are clean and free from high noise levels except during peak typing periods.