That's the exclamation we so often hear from visitors to our central offices after they have had "a peep behind the scenes" at the fascinating work of telephone operating. Those visitors have actually seen at work the bright and contented young women who answer your calls with a cheery "Number, please?" They have wondered at the ease and precision with which the connections are made. Most of all they have been impressed with the pleasing environment surrounding the occupation in which so many thousands of our brightest and most capable young women are engaged.
In order that you, too, may know something about the work of our telephone operators-of whom we are justly proud-we are going to tell you what employment in a telephone central office is like and why we feel so sure that this employment is, in truth, an- "ideal occupation for young women."
In the first place---and this is something in which every young woman is principally interested-the telephone operator is well paid and her advancement is certain. Although it is necessary that she have special training for her work, this training is given to her free of charge, and in addition she is paid a very good salary during the entire training period. She is trained and encouraged by capable and considerate supervisors, who make this first part of her duty attractive and interesting. After she completes the short period of training, her pay is increased at frequent intervals, if her work and conduct are satisfactory, and in a reasonably short time she receives a liberal salary, which, even though she is dependent upon her own resources, is ample for her support.