Introduces students to the topics of business and allows them to experience the expectations and rigor of the program. Students also participate in self-assessments to provide feedback and self-awareness of the relationship between interest and aptitude for the program.

This course is intended to teach learners to identify internal/external customers, develop verbal, nonverbal, and listening communication skills, develop problem-solving techniques, and ways of adding value to a customer interaction. Students will develop the ability to lead and expand the customer service process, learn techniques for dealing with unhappy customers, and build skills for analyzing and prioritizing customer needs. Students will learn to use the telephone effectively and efficiently in the world of work, telephone etiquette, messaging, and voice mail.

Learners will identify the importance of using electronic communication tools to help organize and manage communications, contacts, schedules, calendars, tasks, and perform basic customizations of the electronic communication software. Ethical and appropriate use electronic communication is included. Software such as MS Outlook may be explored. Students will apply these techniques with hands on activities.

This course explores the comprehensive field of records management by applying basic principles and procedures for storing and retrieving information and maintaining an efficient manual and/or computerized filing system using the simplified filing rules developed by the Association of Records Managers and Administrators, Inc. (ARMA). The following methods of storing records are studied: alphabetic, subject, numeric, and geographic. Basic terminology of records management is taught throughout the course. Records retention, disaster planning, control measurements, information security, and disposition are discussed.

Enhances keyboarding skills and develops basic document formatting techniques.

Uses word processing, spreadsheet, database, and presentation software to create and integrate basic application documents for professional and personal use.

Develops writing skills which include prewriting, drafting, revising, and editing. A variety of writing assignments is designed to help the learner analyze audience and purpose, research and organize ideas, and format and design documents based on subject matter and content. Also develops critical reading and thinking skills through the analysis of a variety of written documents.