In 1982-83, a study was conducted to investigate the technical skills and knowledge needed for employment in entry-level secretarial/clerical occupations in the business community of Allegheny County, Pennsylvania, and to determine the current and perceived future status of word processing approaches in local firms. A survey instrument was mailed to 216 of the 433 members of the Monroeville Area Chamber of Commerce soliciting information on the characteristics of the firms; requirements of entry-level employees in the areas of basic office skills, ability to use various types of equipment and related systems, and typewriting and shorthand skills; current status of word processing; and 5-year projections of the use and application of word processing equipment. Study findings, based on a 77.7% response rate, included the following: (1) of the respondents, 68% were from small firms and 62.7% were from service industries; (2) of the 114 respondents who reported employment of secretarial/clerical personnel, 81.6% indicated the existence of a secretary job category and 58.3% a word processing job category within the firm; (3) the skill considered most important in each of four job categories (i.e., word processing operator, secretary, stenographer, and clerk/typist) was listening/following directions; and (4) 17.6% of the respondents indicated they were already using word processing equipment, and 24.2% indicated that they would be within the next 5 years. The survey instrument and a literature review are included. (HB)