This course builds on the skills learned in the Student Success Strategies course. It provides information on how to use the communication skills learned in order to make a successful presentation to a prospective employer. Students also learn how to uncover the hidden job market and identify employment opportunities. Self-assessment during this course allows students to identify their personal skills that are transferable to the workplace and to describe these skills to a prospective employer. Students are videotaped during a mock interview and participate in the analysis of their performance in the “interview”.

The workplace of the twenty-first century demands excellent communications skills. The focus of this course is on learning writing techniques that ensure effective business communication.

In business, as in other interpersonal contact, the impression formed in the first 10 to 15 seconds is crucial to the success of the relationship. The importance of the customer and of customer relations to business success is examined through case studies and role-playing. Students will learn relevant theories of human behavior and how they may be applied to improve customer relations.

This course presents an introductory look at Windows 7 and its interface, tools and features. You will learn about the fundamentals of navigating and personalizing the interface, organizing files and folders, using media devices, and searching for information. This course relies heavily on practical hands-on activities that allow you to learn the concepts by practicing them on a regular basis.

Using a computer is essential in today’s office environment. This module offers the students an opportunity to familiarize themselves with a standard keyboard. For the advanced keyboarder, the module focus is to increase typing speed and accuracy.

This course introduces the students to word processing with Microsoft Word 2013. Relying very heavily on a hands-on practical training approach, students learn by doing through skills based simulations, training, and assessments. The course starts with an overview of Microsoft Office 2013 where you will learn about the common features of the Office applications and file management fundamentals. The course then focuses on the core features of Microsoft Word where students learn proper document formatting, organization and editing using the tools and features of the ribbon. The course will then continue with more advanced topics such as working with tables, lists, objects, templates, footnotes and endnotes, and mail merges. Finally the course will explore the collaboration features of Word 2013 that allow users to share and collaborate on documents through the use of track changes, sharing, and reviewing and the use of SkyDrive.

The daily routines of a modern business office are examined, and the skills necessary to assist in the smooth operation of the office are presented in this course. A variety of presentation methods may be used including lecture, discussion, role plays, case studies and work simulations.

Students will gain a better understanding of themselves through an exploration of their personal attributes, transferable skills and learning styles. This course will introduce techniques for time, conflict, and stress management and develop interpersonal communication skills. Fundamental study and motivation skills will be covered, preparing students to excel in their program of choice.

Students transfer their knowledge from Accounting Fundamentals and learn how to apply these concepts in a computerized environment using Sage 50. Some topics covered in this module include setting up a computerized accounting system, computerized journals and ledgers, income statements and balance sheets, as well as customer accounts.

This module is for course credits but has no grade. Students will be placed in actual work places related to their field of study and will be expected to act as a regular employee in order to gain the valuable real-world experience that so many employers seek. Students are encouraged to find their own work experience placement; however, once placed, continuation in that placement is mandatory.

Students transfer their knowledge from Accounting Fundamentals and learn how to apply these concepts in a computerized environment using Sage 50. Some topics covered in this module include setting up a computerized accounting system, computerized journals and ledgers, income statements and balance sheets, as well as customer accounts.

This course introduces the students to spreadsheets with Microsoft Excel 2013. Relying very heavily on a hands-on practical training approach, students learn by doing through skills based simulations, training, and assessments. The course starts with an overview of spreadsheets and how to use the common features and functions of Microsoft Excel. The course then focuses on the core features of Microsoft Excel where students learn how to enter and format data and use the various functions and formulas to manage and manipulate the data. The course will then continue with more advanced topics such as performing quantitative analysis with logical, lookup, and various mathematical and financial functions. Depicting data visually is an important feature of Excel. Students will learn how to work with charts in Excel to produce a variety of different charts based on data housed in a spreadsheet. Finally, students will learn to handle large volumes of data with data sets and tables.

This course introduces the students to presentation development and design with Microsoft PowerPoint 2013. Relying very heavily on a hands-on practical training approach, students learn by doing through skills based simulations, training and assessments. The course starts with an overview of Microsoft PowerPoint 2013 where you will learn about the common views, features, tools and the environment of PowerPoint. The course then focuses on the core processes of development and design of robust PowerPoint presentations and enhancing the presentations with the rich media tools offered by PowerPoint. Students will learn to use the PowerPoint templates, outlines and themes to design the presentation and then populate the slides with the various content items such as images, shapes, WordArt, SmartArt transitions, and other enhancements.