Clerical works of an organization is usually handled by Typists and Stenographers. Even though both of them are involved in document preparation, slight difference can be seen in the way in which they prepare the documents. The responsibility of the typists is to copy the documents and set it in a formal manner using typewriter or word processor. But the Stenographer use shorthand techniques to document the verbal communications occurred in an official meeting and prepare the documents according to that notes. Typists mostly concentrate on the drafting of official letters and memos while stenographers focus on the preparation of permanent documents.

Typist and its opportunities

Business firms offer lucrative opportunities for the typists to prepare important letters and memos. Educational institutes and research organizations employs the typists to handle the clerical works. Reputed research organizations like Indian Space Research Organization (ISRO) will usually publish notification in newspaper or website to recruit the typists. Apart from being a mere typist, they can move on to the career opportunities like private secretaries, fax operators, receptionists and personal typists.

Stenographer and its opportunities

Central and State government recruit stenographers to employ them in different departments. Most of these recruitments are carried out by Staff Selection Commission and Union Public Service Commission. Courts hire the service of stenographers for preparing important documents of legal matters. Public sector undertakings like NEPC India Limited recruit eligible candidates to the post of stenographer. Private firms also offer variety of career opportunities for the stenographer. Ministry of Culture, New Delhi is also offering stenographer jobs for the candidates who possess the required educational qualification along with computer proficiency.

Key difference between Typist and Stenographer

• Typists copies the original documents while stenographer prepares the documents using short hand techniques.
• Typists need only to pursue typewriting or computer course. But the stenographers should pursue any course on shorthand and typing.

Even though both of them work in the same job profiles, responsibilities are quite different. Most of the organizations now prefer stenographers than typists due to their efficacy in short hand techniques. Thus the demand for stenographers is higher than a typist today.