CAREER PREPARATION
MLR Information
A successful career in the twenty-first century will differ significantly from the model of career success that
has prevailed in this century. New ways of working and new technology already dictate the importance of
brining new skills to the workplace, but other changes are even more fundamental. Lifelong employment
for the same employer has virtually vanished. Initial career decisions are no longer seen as lifetime
determinations, but rather as first steps in a career that is likely to include work for several employers in a
variety of positions.
Career preparation helps students develop the ability to handle changes. In a world of work where being a
“good worker” is no longer an assurance of continued employment; career preparation serves students in
several ways. It helps them to acquire the basic skills and attitudes for successful entry to the world of
work, it teaches them to be effective career managers and to be knowledgeable about their talents, to
acknowledge their strengths, and to address their weaknesses. Career preparation enables students to
recognize that challenges present opportunities and that they must be prepared to acquire new skills and
new knowledge to take advantage of those opportunities.
As part of career preparation, students learn to see education, not as something to be completed in 13 or 17
years, but as a continuing process, available throughout their lives, to assist in coping with a fast-changing
world. As one community college president put it, “education is a train that students must be able to get on
and off as their needs change.”
A. PREPARING FOR THE FUTURE
Students will be knowledgeable about the world of work, explore career options, and relate personal
skills, aptitutudes, and abilities to future career decisions. To interact successfully with people and
organizations students need to adapt to the changing nature of the workplace. Strong interpersonal,
teamwork, leadership, and negotiation skills are essential for this success.
B. EDUCATION/CAREER PLANNING AND MANAGEMENT
Guided by self-assessment and personal career interests, students will integrate school- and workbased experiences to develop their career goals. Once career goals have been determined, students will
evaluate continuously their progress and make necessary modifications. Students’ success in the
competitive world will depend on their ability to manage their own careers using job seeking, retention,
and advancement skills.
C. INTEGRATED AND APPLIED LEARNING
Students will demonstrate how academic knowledge and skills are applied in the workplace and
other settings. Students will select and apply appropriate resources and problem-solving strategies to real
life situations using problem solving strategies in purposeful ways.
D. BALANCING RESPONSIBLITIES
Students will acquire and apply skills/concepts required to balance personal, family, community, and
work responsibilities. The skills to manage work, family, and community responsibilities for the well being
of themselves and others are critical for personal success.
TECHNOLOGY & BUSINESS APPLICATIONS
#501
Accounting 1
Students will learn the basic principles, concepts and procedures of double-entry accounting by first
completing the accounting cycle for a service business organized as a sole proprietorship. This course is
designed for students with analytical minds and a preference for working with figures. They will perform
such tasks as analyzing and recording transactions in a general journal and posting them to a general ledger,
completing a worksheet and various financial statements. They will record adjusting and closing entries.
They will learn how to maintain a checking account. Students will complete an accounting cycle for a
merchandising business organized as a partnership by performing such tasks as journalizing purchases,
cash payments, sales, and cash receipts using special journals. They will also post to general and subsidiary
ledgers and prepare financial statements for the partnership. They will prepare payroll records.
Content Standards: A B C D; Eng/LA A; Mathematics B C; Economics A
1 credit - 1 semester
Prerequisite - Successful completion of Algebra I
#502
Accounting 2
This course builds upon the basic principles, concepts and procedures learned in Accounting 1. Students
will develop a more thorough understanding of business procedures in professional accounting. Students
will complete a business simulation, which will involve keeping the records of a company for an
accounting cycle. They will complete an accounting cycle for a merchandising business organized as a
corporation. This will include uncollectible accounts, plant assets, depreciation, inventory, notes
payable/receivable, and accrued revenue and expenses. Students will also complete End-of-Fiscal-Period
work for a departmental business.
Content Standards: A C D; Eng/LA A; Mathematics B C; Economics A
1 credit - 1 semester
Prerequisite - Successful completion of Accounting 1
#499
Automated Accounting
Students will learn computerized accounting and accounting spreadsheet applications using a hands-on
approach. They will learn to enter realistic accounting transactions for a variety of business applications
and generate financial statements and spreadsheets and other management information reports. This will
include utilizing software applications for special journals, a general ledger, accounts payable/accounts
receivable ledger, bank reconciliation, plant assets, budgeting, payroll, inventory and sales order
processing. Students who have elected this course will be required to use the Internet.
Content Standards: A B C D; Eng/LA A; Mathematics B C J; Economics A
1 credit - 1 semester
Prerequisite - Completion of Accounting 2 or currently enrolled in Accounting 2
#533
Seamless Transitions
This course will provide an opportunity to make the freshman transition a positive experience by providing
the students with global support from the many resources available to them. During this block of time in
their schedule, the students may be provided with time to work with their individual content area teachers,
the MLR instructor and/or Career Awareness Coordinator throughout the semester. Freshmen will take the
next step as they enter high school by reviewing the technological skills they attained from the junior high
through the laptop initiative. They will then progress to begin planning and formulating an electronic
portfolio, which may carry them from their freshman year through their senior year. Various software
programs in word processing, spreadsheet applications and presentation graphics will be utilized
throughout the semester. Students will have the opportunity to work on content-area products by
integrating content with technology in the computer lab. Their final product at the end of the semester, the
electronic portfolio, will provide students with written documentation of their high school development as
they move forward to higher levels in the high school and through graduation. Students who have elected
this course will be required to use the Internet.
Content Standards: A B C D; Engl/LA A C D E F G H
.5 credit – 1 semester alternating with PE
#509
Basic Integrated Computer Applications 1
Students will learn the most efficient way to use a computer system by learning basic keyboarding through
touch-typing. They will continue to gain basic knowledge of computer fundamentals utilizing an integrated
software program, which contains word processing, database, spreadsheet, and graphic components.
Students will learn to correctly and accurately process documents such as memorandums, personal letters,
business letters, and unbound reports. Components of the World Wide Web through E-mail and the Internet
may also be covered. Students who have elected this course will be required to use the Internet.
Content Standards: A B C D; Eng/LA A C F
1 credit - 1 semester block
Meets Computer Literacy Requirement
Admission through the recommendation of the guidance director or IEP
#500
Integrated Computer Applications 1
Students will learn the most efficient way to use a computer system by learning basic keyboarding through
touch typing. They will continue to gain basic knowledge of computer fundamentals utilizing an integrated
software program, which contains word processing, database, spreadsheet, and graphic components.
Students will first learn to format text-specific documents such as memorandums, personal letters, business
letters, and unbound reports. They will continue with numeric/alphabetic-specific documents such as
budgets, inventories, and company profile. Graphic applications will be illustrated through the creation of
an events poster, business card preparation, and a lecture presentation. General Internet applications via the
World Wide Web through E-mail and various search engines may also be covered. Students will be trained
to troubleshoot some of the basic problems their computer may be experiencing. Students must complete a
short simulation demonstrating all the skills they have acquired throughout the course. Students who have
elected this course will be required to use the Internet.
Content Standards: A B C D; Eng/LA A C D E F G H; Geography A; Economics A; Math C H; Sci&Tech L; M&C Lang C; V&P
Arts A B C
1 credit - 1 semester block
Meets Computer Literacy Requirement
#538
Basic Integrated Computer Applications 2
This course is designed for students to enhance their computer skills by continuing the Microsoft Office
program and reviewing basic computer information, which will include the basics of text editing,
formatting and documents. Once the students master the basic components of the program, they will
continue by completing a job simulation, which includes Microsoft Office. Students who have elected this
course will be required to use the Internet.
Content Standards: A B C D; Eng/LA A B D E F G H; Geography A; Economics A; Sci.&Tech L; M&C Lang. C; V&P
Arts A
1 credit - 1 semester
Meets Computer Literacy Requirement
Prerequisite - Successful completion of Developmental Integrated Computer Applications 1 or Basic Integrated
Computer Applications
Admission through the recommendation of the guidance director or IEP
#537
Integrated Computer Applications 2
Students will learn the advanced features of the MS Office program. This course will feature step-by-step
presentations of advanced word processing commands, time-saving tips, as well as techniques and methods
for avoiding common word processing problems. Students will also continue their computer knowledge in
other computer applications including presentation graphics, database, and spreadsheet work. Once
students master the components of the program(s), they will complete a job simulation packet. Students
who have elected this course will be required to use the Internet.
Content Standards: A B C D; Eng/LA A C; Math C
1 credit - 1 semester
Meets Computer Literacy Requirement
Prerequisite - Successful completion of Integrated Computer Applications 1 with C or Better Average or permission of
instructor
#539
Integrated Computer Applications 3
This course will teach Microsoft Publisher 2000 and many of the principles of desktop publishing in
general. Lessons will start with basic step-by-step illustrated instructions on everything from manipulating
text to applying color schemes and inserting clip art. Advanced lessons will cover creating pre-addressed
postcards and merging addresses from an Excel file. Students may possibly experience—voice activation,
through a program such as DragonDictate. The final exercises cover HTML code, linking pages online,
placing background sounds, and other Internet-related skills. Students will complete a variety of projects
which could entail such things as integration and linking of spreadsheets, database, and word projects
formatted in the publishing program. Upon completion of this course, they may opt to get ready for MOUS
(Microsoft Office User Specialist) certification, a 12-hour training program for exam preparation. Students
who have elected this course will be required to use the Internet.
Content Standards: A B C D; E/LA A C F
1 credit - 1 semester
Meets Computer Literacy Requirement
Prerequisite - Successful completion of Integrated Computer Applications 2.
#508
Personal Finance
Personal Finance is a course designed for juniors and seniors who are getting ready to make some major
life choices. The topic of "How to Manage Your Money" will be discussed through the activities of
budgets, checking accounts, credit, saving and borrowing money. Students will learn how to shop for an
automobile and learn what their rights are when buying a new or used car and when having their car
repaired. They will learn about renting and furnishing an apartment and what their rights and
responsibilities are. Buying a home will also be discussed. Insurance protection will be emphasized.
Students will learn how to complete a 1040EZ and 1040A income tax return. Stocks and mutual funds will
be covered. Students who have elected this course will be required to use the Internet.
Content Standards: A B C D; Eng/LA A H; Math B C; Economics A
1 credit - 1 semester
This course is designed for Juniors and Seniors who have not completed or are currently enrolled in Living on Your
Own--Consumer Economics
#545
Desktop Publishing/Multimedia
This course is an introduction to visual design through the utilization of computer applications. The course
will include a variety of art and drawing applications as well as multimedia authoring programs and graphic
design programs. Students will begin by exploring desktop publishing programs by utilizing everyday
programs to create great designs. Students will be taught the fundamentals of how to create and design a
product ready for publication. They will complete projects that may include such things as creating posters,
music and sports programs, newsletter layouts and brochures. Students will also be introduced to
multimedia and presentation software. They will complete tasks, which may include an informational video
as well as a television commercial. Video editing on the computer with the use of CDs, the digital camera,
scanner, and LCD overhead panel presentations will also be covered. The final culminating project will put
all the pieces together as the students will design their own business and will utilize all aspects learned to
promote their company. Students who have elected this course will be required to use the Internet.
Content Standards: A B C D; Eng/LA
1 credit - 1 semester
Prerequisite: Students are expected to have good typing skills to keep up with the pace of the class; a minimum of
ICA 1 is strongly encouraged.
#540
Computer Illustration, Web Page Design and Multimedia
This course is an introduction to creative web site design. After a brief review of Internet skills, students
will develop a basic understanding of and skill in the design of Internet web sites. Topics include web site
design methods, HTML, and web-based multimedia. Students will develop web documents using various
software which might include, but is not limited to FrontPage or Netscape Composer. Students will learn
how to enhance Web pages with illustrations including graphics, images, stylized text, and background
patterns and colors. The use of audio files will also be discussed. Design programs such as Adobe
Illustrator, Adobe Photoshop, and Pagemaker may be utilized as time permits. Project work will be
assigned. Students who have elected this course will be required to use the Internet.
Content Standards: A C; Eng/LA D E F G H; V&P Arts A
1 credit - 1 semester
Prerequisite: Students are expected to have good typing skills to keep up with the pace of the class; a minimum of
ICA 1 is strongly encouraged.