Pathfinder Tech

Business Technology

SKILLS ACQUIRED AT EACH GRADE LEVEL

Grade 9

  • Photography
  • Website Design
  • Microsoft Word
  • Microsoft PowerPoint
  • Financial Literacy – Budgeting and banking
  • Adobe Photoshop

Grade 10

  • Marketing
  • Social Media Marketing
  • Entrepreneurship
  • Microsoft Excel & Word
  • Financial Literacy – Investments
  • Graphic Design – Adobe Illustrator
  • Customer Service

Grade 11

  • Entrepreneurship
  • Microsoft Access, Excel, Word, and PowerPoint
  • Yearbook
  • School Store
  • Stock Market & Investments
  • Financial literacy – Credit Cards, Auto & Home Insurance, Loans, Taxes
  • Adobe Illustrator & Photoshop
  • Accounting
  • Customer Service
  • Resume writing & Interview skills

Grade 12

  • Co-op placement
  • Entrepreneurship
  • Yearbook
  • School Store
  • Microsoft Access, Excel, Word, and PowerPoint
  • Financial literacy – Credit Cards, Auto & Home Insurance, Loans, Taxes
  • Adobe Illustrator & Photoshop
  • Stock Market & Investments
  • Accounting
  • Resume writing & Interview skills

Business Technology

Learn how to become a successful employee, entrepreneur, and leader in the ever-changing world of business. Have fun unleashing your creativity as you develop and run your own teen business. Develop your analytical and managerial skills as you learn to run multiple live, on-campus business, such as the Pioneer Lodge (school store), Design + Print Center, and the yearbook.

The Pathfinder Business Technology program prepares students for a variety of careers in the field of business by teaching the basics of personal finance, advertising and marketing, entrepreneurship, accounting, management, insurance, and investments. Students also learn design elements through the use of Adobe software and photography. Heavily on the Microsoft Office suite.

 Business Technology (BT) prepares students for a wide range of business and office career paths by combining the business, computer, and office technology fields into one course of study. Students graduating from Business Technology are ready to enter different sectors of the business world with very marketable skills. Through the four year program, students gain a thorough knowledge of word processing, spreadsheet, database, presentation, and desktop publishing applications. In addition, students explore related business topics such as marketing, business management, customer service, entrepreneurship, communications, accounting, and finance. BT students leave ready to be effective team members in a business organization or develop their skills further in college.

Business Technology is a four-year, pre-professional program designed for students planning careers in business or finance. In a simulated office setting utilizing state-of-the-art equipment, students become acquainted with the skills, abilities, and attitudes needed for successful job performance in the technical business office profession. Students explore a wide range of procedures including keyboarding, computer applications using word processing, spreadsheets, database, and presentation packages, Internet exploration, records management, accounting, consumer education, business mathematics, operation of office machines, and general office procedures.

The strong emphasis placed on career planning is intended to guide students to challenging fields in which significant growth is anticipated by the U.S. Labor Department over the next ten years. Each student will spend 50% of the school year in their career/technical education program. Additionally, they will complete three related courses each year during their academic cycles.

Students who complete this program will be highly prepared for employment in today’s computerized and technical office.

Seniors complete a portfolio project and are encouraged to participate in an internship which provides career opportunities. Seniors may also be eligible to work in a co-op job. With further training in this field, additional opportunities for career advancement increase. Also throughout the four years, students will sit for Microsoft Office Specialist (MOS) exams.

By earning a “B” or better in certain courses, students in the program can earn college credits at Bristol Community College.

Students in Business Technology become members of Business Professionals of America (BPA) and are eligible to take part in BPA sponsored skills competitions involving high school students from across Massachusetts. State winners become eligible to participate in BPA’s national competition.

Graduates from the Business Technology program will be ready for employment in a host of settings and will be prepared to participate in post secondary programs at the associate and bachelor’s level. The Business Technology program is also in the process of obtaining articulation agreements with Bristol Community College, enabling students to earn college credits for work in high school.

OPPORTUNITIES FOR INDUSTRY RECOGNIZED CREDENTIALS
  • OSHA 10-Hour General Industry
  • CFA: Investment Foundations Certificate
  • Microsoft Office Specialist (MOS) Certifications in Access, Excel, and Word
THIS PROGRAM RELIES HEAVILY ON THE FOLLOWING ACADEMIC SKILLS and/or DISCIPLINES
  • Accounting
  • Legal Studies
  • Statistics
  • English (professional writing)
  • Professional Skills
NOTEWORTHY PROJECTS
  • Create and manage your own exciting and innovative teen business for the Junior Achievement EnTEENpreneur Challenge each year.  Teens who chose to run their business and write a business plan can qualify to compete nationally! 
  • Compete in over 50 events at Business Professionals of America (BPA), showcasing the office technology, entrepreneurship, marketing,  financial, analytical, management, and professional skills that you develop over the four years in our program.  Competitions are open to eligible Sophomores, Juniors, and Seniors.
  • Have fun with team members as you invest $1 million dollars in an interactive, live event at the Junior Achievement Stock Market Challenge.
  • Research actual companies, predict their future performance, and learn about industry trends in the 10-week long SIFMA Foundation Stock Market Game.
  • Demonstrate your entrepreneurial, management, and marketing skills at Distributive Education Clubs of America (DECA) using the communication skills you develop over the four years in the Business Technology program.

POSSIBLE CAREER OPPORTUNITIES UPON COMPLETION OF PROGRAM

Upon graduation:
  • Payroll Clerk
  • Receptionist
  • Bank Teller
  • Customer Service Representative
  • Insurance Claims and Policy Processing Clerk
  • Insurance Claims Examiner
  • Database Manager
  • Service Delivery Analyst
  • Entrepreneur
After completion of 1-2 years of post-secondary technical training (apprenticeship, certificate program or associate’s degree):
  • Administrative Assistant
  • Executive Assistant
  • Office Manager
  • Sales Manager
  • Payroll Supervisor
  • Legal Secretary
  • Customer Service Associate
  • Store Manager
  • Sales Support Specialist
After completion of Advanced degree (4 year college degree or higher)
  • Accountant
  • Financial Analyst
  • Financial Advisor
  • Marketing Manager
  • Human Resources Specialist
  • Project Manager

Pathfinder offers a wide range of vocational technical programs. We have expanded our offerings to include 16 unique programs. These exciting programs give students a competitive advantage both in college and in the workforce. Our programs are designed to help students create and follow pathways to a career of their choice.  Pursue your passion and enjoy your education!

The Cooperative Education Program at Pathfinder is an optional experience for seniors and juniors (second half of the school year) having a minimum 1,000 hours in their technical area. Through a cooperative arrangement between the school and employer, the student will receive job placement related to their technical area of study during their “shop week” with wages paid by the employer. To be eligible, a student must have the recommendation of their technical program teachers, meet the required grade, attendance, and discipline standards. The student must also have their OSHA 10-hour card. Some technical areas may require additional certifications prior to entering the program.

We are no longer accepting work requests for the current school year. Work requests will resume again in mid-September, 2023.  Thank you.

To schedule a tour please contact our Guidance Department:
413-283-9701 Ext. 247
Email Our Guidance Department