er somewhat unusual employments for women are publicity
writing in various commercial and public campaigns, and lecturing on
various phases of modern life. Women are also commercial travellers,
conductors of entertainments, pageant managers, window decorators, brokers
and financial advisers, theatrical managers and producers of plays.
They find employment as civil engineers and in research work of various
kinds. Women have succeeded as conductors of foreign tours, and as
lecturers on current events for women's clubs.
Some of these occupations may appear out of the way, and even romantic,
to the girl who is choosing her work, or who is already at work in some
paid employment. But in every case, the pioneer worker needs special
training and experience. New work requires more originality, perseverance,
and if possible better preparation than may be necessary in standard
employments.
In conclusion, a word may be said to the girl or woman who has been at work
for some years. She should take stock at intervals of the work she is doing,
and of her prospects and possibilities. Let her devote some clear thinking
as to whether her work could not be re-arranged to the advantage of her
employer and herself. Purely routine work is scarcely ever as well done as
it might be. She should ask herself, "Can I improve my work? Is there any
new line in which I can develop? What special knowledge and skill have I?
Am I using all the capacity I have? Does my work need to be changed or
re-organized?" The girl or woman at work should not be satisfied with a
superficial answer to these questions. It is generally possible to improve
one's own work, by thinking about it carefully and by trying.
CHAPTER XXIII
MONEY AND WAGES
The weekly wage on which some girls live comfortably will give others only
the bare necessaries of life, and sometimes not even that.
The girl's real wages are what she is able to get for the sum of money
she is paid in exchange for her work. Before she can judge whether her
wage is good or poor, she must know how much her board and lodging will
cost, the cost of clothes, and the total amount of her other expenses.
She should know what additional advantages there are in the place where
she is working. If there are disadvantages, she should consider them also
before she can tell whether the wage offered is a good or a poor wage.
Local prices, and the difference in the cost of living between one place
and anot
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