A study examined the changing role of the secretary in today's office. More than 3,000 secretaries throughout the country and 100 executives with whom they work were surveyed concerning their attitudes toward automation, use of automated office equipment, career goals, job satisfaction and responsibilities, and involvement in selecting office equipment and supplies. Of the responding secretaries under the age of 30, only one-third were sure they want to be secretaries. More than half were dissatisfied with their opportunities for advancement, and 40 percent felt overqualified for their jobs. One-third of the secretaries have looked for another job recently, and 86 percent indicated that higher salaries would make the secretarial career more appealing. Half the secretaries are consulted about office equipment needs, and even more are involved in selecting office supplies. One-third of the secretaries and executives stated that secretaries should be more involved in evaluating and selecting office equipment. Problems with equipment reliability and service top the list of vendor-related complaints, and filing was the task most disliked by secretaries. (MN)