Jackson MARJORIE JACKSON has been a secretary in the shipping industry for 34 years. And after all this time, she still loves her job as the first day she started. Currently, she is the executive secretary to Robert Kinlocke, the Managing Director of Kingston Terminal Operators, a subsidiary of Kingston Wharves Limited (KWL). "I love my job immensely and would not change it for another profession. In other words, I would do it all over again," she comments.
Mrs. Jackson started out as a temporary worker at KWL, filling in for someone who had gone on leave. After working as a 'temp' for two years, she was finally confirmed in her position. Over the years, she has worked as a secretary for the financial controller, the personnel and general managers, and the managing director at KWL until she was transferred to KTO with Mr. Kinlocke. Now, she is one of the longest serving secretaries in the industry and excellence remains her hallmark.
"Marjorie has never been late for work. She is an excellent secretary," notes Mr. Kinlocke, with whom Marjorie has worked since 1985.
"I find her to be a most professional and efficient worker," observes Mr. Kinlocke, who also praises Marjorie for initiative and going beyond the call of duty at times.
Mrs. Jackson has seen the expansion of the shipping industry and the Port of Kingston transforming into a major transhipment port, using modern equipment, but from her seat as a secretary, the most significant development in the industry has been "when the typewriter gave way to the fascinating computer world and now the speed of communication through the internet".
Describing herself as a private person who prefers to work behind the scenes, Mrs. Jackson boasts of her natural love for shorthand, a subject that she taught briefly at a private school in St. James. Commenting on the future of secretaries, Mrs. Jackson notes that with the advent of modern technology, the role of the secretary has changed.
"Many secretaries are now undertaking more administrative responsibilities on behalf of their managers and consequently their current functions are now more oriented to more administrative duties as compared to the traditional role of secretaries," she observes.
Mrs. Jackson adds that while managers were typing their own manuscripts, a secretary/administrative professional will always be in demand, even in the future "paperless office".
"Nevertheless," she says, "the way to go is to become multi-skilled."
Editorial note: Secretaries Week is being observed from April 23 - 29. The Shipping Feature pays
tribute to all secretaries in the shipping industry, as they continue to aid the development of the
industry.
