Do you enjoy spending money as much as making it? Are you planning to be your own boss someday? Maybe you’re thinking how great it would be to have your own music, clothing, or snowboard shop. If you’ve got the spirit of an entrepreneur, Business Management will show you how to create, build, and manage your business. You’ll get hands-on training in the school’s store, Campus Connection, run by the students in the program. Get a head start on your college business major or gain valuable experience as you enter the workforce.

Program Highlights:
• Earn up to six college credits.
• Get two years of experience running the school store, where you’ll handle sales,
inventory, merchandising, advertising, and cash planning.
• Learn how to create a business plan — the smart start for any successful venture.
• Design your own advertising campaign.
• Gain leadership and management skills.
• Receive training on the most current business software in the industry.
• Learn how to purchase and manage inventory.
• Maintain the finances of the Campus Connection.
• Earn one Math, one English, and one elective credit.

Post-Secondary Opportunities:
• Graduates of the Business & Financial Services program at RVTC are eligible to receive up to 9 college credits from Community College of Vermont and the Vermont State College system
• Pursue an Associate’s, Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in one of the following areas:

- Accounting
- Business Managment
- E-commerce
- Marketing
- Small Business Management & Entrepreneurship
- Business Administration
- Finance - General Business
- Sport & Entertainment Management
- Communications & Advertising
- Business Education
- International Business
- Human Resource Management
- Business Technology

Job Opportunities in the Business Field:
• Accountant or Bookkeeper
• Small Business Owner
• Sports & Entertainment Management
• Fashion Merchandising
• E-Commerce
• Real Estate Sales & Management
• Banking
• Investor
• Public Relations
• Advertising & Promotion
• Insurance 

Membership:

DECA is a student-driven organization that allows students interested in business and marketing to network with the 180,000 student members. Each year students compete in state-level competitions in Burlington, Vermont whre they can earn schoalrships and awards. If successful at the state event, students have the opportunity to travel to the international career and development competition. Over the last few years we have traveled to Anaheim, CA, Dallas, TX, Washington, D.C. and Orlando, Florida. Recently one of our students made it to the finals at the international competition – a first for Vermont in 26 years!!
 

Certifications:
Industry Recognized Credentials (IRC) demonstrate your skills in Business & Financial Services.You can earn an IRC in Business Fundamentals, Customer Service, and Business Math. To qualify, you must:
1. You take the Business & Financial Services program
2. You take a test given by an outside company
3. You pass the test & earn a certification
4. You have the ability to make more money in the field

 


YEAR ONE: Business & Financial Services I
Credit: 3-4 elective credits
Eligibility: Students in grades 11 and 12; grade 10, with permission
Prerequisites: Keyboarding skills
Schedule: Full year; 2 hours per day

According to a recent Gallup poll, seven out of ten high school students want to start their own business. In this course you are given the skills to do this and more. As you have probably heard, many businesses are failing due to poor financial decisions. In the first year of this course you will learn how to operate the financial side of a business through the study of accounting, computer applications and personal finance. We will also study effective customer service techniques and work towards each student being nationally certified as a customer service specialist. You will have the opportunity to put your knowledge to the test in the daily operation of the Campus Connection school store. Participation in DECA (An Association of Marketing Students) is an integral part of this program and will further your business skills and provide you with the opportunity to network with fellow business students throughout the state and country.

YEAR TWO: Business & Financial Services II
Credit: 1 embedded English, 1 embedded math, and 1-2 elective credits
Eligibility: Students in grades 11 and 12
Prerequisites: Grade of 70 or better in Business & Financial Services I, or written permission from the instructor
Schedule: Full year; 2 hours per day

In the second year of the business program you will develop a plan for a business during the first semester and then implement and start that business during the second semester.  You will have the opportunity to put your knowledge to the test in the daily management and financial recordkeeping of the Campus Connection school store. You will also participate in DECA (An Association of Marketing Students) which will further your business skills and allow networking with fellow business students throughout the country. Membership in DECA is a required part of this class. Students that complete the two-year Business & Financial Services program are eligible to earn six (6) college credits from the Community College of Vermont and three (3) college credits from Vermont Technical College. The college-level courses are Office Accounting I, Microcomputer Applications I and Information Processing I.
 

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“It’s a hands on course with no substitute. It guides you into the world of business.”

"Business & Financial Services and DECA have not only taught me the basic skills required for business, but skills that will help me in any career path.
DECA, especially, has given me the confidence in my abilities to present myself to any audience."

"Business & Financial Servcies taught me how to be a successful leader and business owner. It has taught me patience and persistence when
working with others, that in working together we can create amazing things."

"My Business & Financial Services class has taught me how to properly run and operate a business. It will help me in my future plans of possibly running and operating our family farm."