Business/Marketing

Planning a career in the fields of business, marketing, or finance?  Accounting is the language of business.  Students learn the procedures involved in completing the accounting cycle.  They will complete transactions and prepare financial statements that are necessary for businesses to make financial decisions.  Accounting principles and procedures are presented and followed.  Accounting is a must in a business career.

Accounting II extends the concepts learned in Accounting I. In this course students will record payroll and taxes, notes and interest, and be introduced to partnership and corporation accounting.  This course is strongly recommended for anyone planning to enroll in technical college/university as a business, marketing, or finance major or minor.

NTC Equivalent Class: Accounting I #10-101-114, 4 credits (Department: Accounting)

Advance your career objectives in the business and/or accounting profession.  This is for students who are interested in pursuing an accounting or finance degree and want to obtain the accounting skills necessary to advance to the level accountant; or want to broaden and improve their knowledge, understanding, and application of accounting competencies.  Strongly recommended for anyone planning to enroll in a technical college/university as a business or finance major.  

Note: this is a hybrid course.  Students meet half of the time in class and half asychronously.

An extension of Accounting III designed for students who are interested in an accounting or a business-related career.  Includes course work in partnerships and corporation accounting, cost accounting, and QuickBooks.  Strongly recommended for anyone planning to enroll in a college/university or technical college as a business or finance major.

Note: QuickBooks Specialist Technical Diploma is available.

NTC Equivalent Class: QuickBooks I #10-101-180, 1 credit and QuickBooks II #10-101-181, 1 credit (Department: Accounting)

Advanced Marketing takes the understanding of marketing to a new level.  Students will also study the character traits necessary to become successful both personally and profesionally as they apply to areas of business.  Classroom instruction will include both large and small group instruction with emphasis on teamwork through small group projects.  Focusing on individual talents, abilities, and interests, this class explores careers and workplace readiness, advanced-marketing applications, and human relations.  Second semester students will be developing a strategic Marketing Plan for NTC on a product of their choice.  Advanced Marketing students also manage and operate the school store, West Express.

NTC Equivalent Class: Marketing Principles #10-104-172, 3 credits (Department: Marketing)

This course is designed for students who need instruction in basic keyboarding.  Areas of study to include career exploration, employment skills, and consumer information, as well as software programs, which include Google Drive and Microsoft Word.  Keyboarding of class assignments using the correct format will be included such as writing reports and papers.

Note: Students must successfully complete Business Core semester one, or a Keyboarding class to advance to Today's Tech Trends Core semester two.

The Business Law course is designed to provide students with an overview of our legal system, including statutes and regulations that affect businesses, families, and individuals in a variety of ways.  Knowledge of business law is particularly useful because all students eventually assume the role of citizen, worker, and consumer in society. Students will learn about various types of laws, courts, legal systems and develop an understanding needed to make legal decisions. Specifically, students will learn about civil and criminal law including financial crimes, and contracts.  Real-world examples and cases help students apply their knowledge of contract and property law.  The material covered in the Business Law course is reinforced and enhanced through the use of technology, guest speakers, videos and hands-on, project-based activities whenever possible .  In addition, because experiential learning is an important aspect of all business courses, a field trip to the courts or other law-related destination may also be offered.

Business Opportunities is designed to prepare students for success after high school.  The course includes work in the following areas: career exploration, training and school options, employment-seeking skills, successful work attitudes, lifetime business skills, and other related personal and business skills.  Developing organization skills, and goal setting are a part of the course activities.  The course content will be helpful to students who plan on seeking employment upon graduation, attending a technical college or trade school, joining the military or attending a college or university.  Weekly discussions are based upon students' work experiences and life happenings.

Students will design and develop a business from concept to implementation using the Lean Canvas framework.  They will explore key entrepreneurial elements such as value proposition, customer segments, and revenue streams while applying project management principles to plan, organize, and execute their ideas collaboratively.

Through research and data analysis, students will identify challenges, evaluate opportunities, and create sustainable, ethical business solutions.  The course emphasizes critical thinking, collaboration, communication, and financial literacy, aligned with the Wisconsin Standards for Business.

By semester's end, students will produce a comprehensive business plan and pitch presentation demonstration readiness for postsecondary education, entrepreneurship, and career success.

A Business Opportunities student may earn two credits per year (one per semester) in addition to class credit (see Business Opportunities) by working in the community an average of 12-15 hours per week.  The student can be released from school during the afternoon to work or can choose to work the required hours in the evenings or on the weekends.  The student may make arrangements with their current employer for internship status or can be assisted in finding a job placement by the internship coordinator.  Job placements are based upon student interest, student skills and future career plans.  Students are supervised by the Business Opportunities Internship Coordinator and the training site supervisor.  Students will pursue the State of Wisconsin Employability Certificate.

Curious what business is all about?  This one-semester course is designed to provide a basic understanding and overview of business concepts and their importance to our economic system, both locally and internationally.  Topics will include an overview of types of business, ownership, economics, management, marketing and entrepreneurship.  Students will also have the opportunity to work in Wausau West's school-based enterprise, West Express.

Explore the exciting world of the Hospitality and Tourism industry!  Hospitality and tourism are topics that students can relate to and make their own.  After all, everyone goes to restaurants, and many people travel and stay in lodging facilities.  These exciting businesses continue to grow and employ a vast number of people.  Hospitality and tourism marketing encompasses the management, marketing and operations of restaurants and other food service, lodging, attractions, and recreation events and travel-related services.  Students "learn by doing" through hands-on projects.  Students will be creating a Food Truck with the Foods III class.  Students will implement all of their marketing ideas and even get to create the dishes that they would offer in their Food Truck.

This course is designed for students who have not had or may need additional instruction and practice in basic keyboarding. Typing skills is a valuable life skill.  The work completed in this course will improve typing accuracy and speed. Course content includes basic keyboarding instruction, letters, using the home-row, and creating letters, memos, reports and more.

Did you know that over 75% of all jobs in the U.S. involve some aspect of marketing?  This introductory course is perfect for all students who want to learn more about business and marketing.  The course explores consumer behavior, advertising, promotions, market research, selling, and public relations.  Students participate in hands-on projects, gain insight from guest speakers and get a chance to show their creative side.  See for yourself why students have called Introduction to Marketing the "most important, practical class I've ever had".  The student will also be required to participate in the marketing experience by working in the marketing lab/school store daily operations. DECA membership is optional.  Students enrolled in Introduction to Marketing are encouraged to enroll in Sports & Entertainment Marketing and/or Hospitality & Tourism Marketing.  Sports & Entertainment Marketing and/or Hospitality & Tourism Marketing is required as a prerequisite for Advanced Marketing.

Keyboarding is more essential than ever. Learn how to get twice as much done in half the time! This course presents applications EVERY student will be expected to know for college, work, and upcoming state assessments. Proper formatting for letters, memos, and tables is provided.

NTC Equivalent Class: Keyboarding II #10-106-129, 1 credit (Department: Business Technology)

An entrepreneur is a person who attempts to earn a profit by taking the risk of operating a business enterprise.  Do you want to be your own boss?  If you answered yes, then this class is a must and will help you understand what it is like to be an entrepreneur and what is involved in starting, and running, a business.  Business is a part of everyone’s daily life – as consumers, employees and owners.  In this course, students will explore the environment, human side and functional approach to business.  Students will explore the world of management, ownership and the important characteristics of an entrepreneur’s work ethic.  Students will have the opportunity to work in the West Express, the Wausau West Gold-Level recognized School Based Enterprise.

The Marketing Internship is an opportunity for students to earn credits, earn money, and gain valuable work experience, all at the same time.  Students are released from school in the afternoon to report to their workstations.  Marketing Internship is for students who are concurrently enrolled in the Advanced Marketing course. These students are seriously pursuing a career in the field of marketing or business and wish to gain some practical experience in marketing related local business. The student will be required to maintain employment records, adhere to school policies and be an active and interested employee. Many classroom activities and assignments are based upon the "on the job" experiences.  Graduates of this course have gone on to successful career opportunities with their high school placements.  Students who are enrolled in Marketing Internship complete the Cooperative Education Skills Standards Certificate Program and are issued a state-endorsed certificate from the State Superintendent of Public Instruction.  This certificate is a representative statement of the skills obtained through the Marketing Internship learning experience.  This certificate is also endorsed by supporting industry and education organizations thus enhancing a student's future workplace portfolio.

A must computer class for ALL students! Microsoft Office proficiency is one of the top five most commonly required skills posted in on-line job descriptions. Word, Excel, and PowerPoint are major areas of instruction. Business and Industry leaders stress the need for these skills for their current and future employees.  Students may earn industry certifications in each of the three areas covered as well as dual credit.

NTC Equivalent Class: PowerPoint Level 1 #10-103-241, 1 credit; Excel Level 1 #10-103-242, 1 credit; Word Level 1 #10-103-243, 1 credit (Department: Business Technology)

Financial Management is the one thing that each and every student must learn about as they prepare to enter into adulthood to make wise money decisions. With average credit card debt exceeding $6,000 per card holder and average student loan debt close to $38,000, building financial management skills is critical. Topics covered will include: career/salary exploration, banking, budgeting, investing, credit, insurance, taxes, among other topics. Learn real world skills to help you achieve life goals.

Note: this course meets Financial Literacy requirements as set forth by Wausau School District.

This course is designed to help students develop their ability to make personal financial decisions, become wise earners, spenders, and savers and develop relevant “Money Skills”. The financial choices that students face today have expanded well beyond what their parents or grandparents dealt with as teens and young adults. With average credit card debt exceeding $6,000 per card holder and average student loan debt close to $38,000, building money skills is critical. Topics covered will be: cash, credit, saving, investing, avoiding debt, budgeting, insurance, identity theft, taxes, car and home ownership and renting, among other topics. Learn real world skills to help you achieve life goals.

Note: this course meets Financial Literacy requirements as set forth by Wausau School District.

Students will find this course interesting and practical as they learn recordkeeping skills for personal and entry-level employment.  Areas covered are checks, bank statements, salesclerk records, purchase records, budgeting, credit cards, loans, interest, payroll records, and recording activities for a small business.  This course is intended for students that may have difficulty with Accounting I.

This course is designed to provide the student with the skills necessary to apply marketing concepts to the sports and entertainment industries.  Students will explore the connection between marketing and the sports and entertainment industries, focusing on promotion and sales. The areas of study include event promotion, sponsorship, development and sales, event management, and the basic functions of marketing as they apply to the sport and entertainment industries.  If you are interested in sports and entertainment or want to tap into your creative side, this is the class for you!  DECA membership is optional.

Get a jump on technology. The course content will change as fast as technology does. Topic areas may include but are not limited to Video Editing (Animoto, Canva, and more), Computer Hardware, social media (Instagram, LinkedIn, TikTok), YouTube, Google sites, Artificial Intelligence, Coding, Pod Casting and Digital Citizenship. Learn about the latest technologies and take projects for your other classes to the next level.

This course will focus on technology at a basic level. Topics may include WeVideo, Google Docs, social media sites, discussion boards, and Digital Citizenship and Microsoft programs.

Students will learn and use journalistic skills to develop and publish the school yearbook (Aurora) and school magazine (Warrior's Word).  The student staff will generate story ideas, conduct interviews, write their own stories, design and layout pages, take photographs, and even sell advertising.  Software used includes Adobe Suite (InDesign, Photoshop and Illustrator), Microsoft Office completed on Apple iMacs, and all photography is taken with advanced Nikon Cameras.

Opportunities are available for travel to UW-Whitewater, Madison, and other state or national locations for student journalism workshops and competitions.

Publications Lab is student directed.  Student staff meet in the large group settings (once weekly) and small, collaborative group sessions with class time devoted to creating work for the school publications.  Students' work in Aurora and Warrior's Word is continually recognized for excellence at the state and national level.

This course may be taken multiple times for credit, as content and leadership positions change yearly.  Returning students are given increased opportunities and responsibilities to advance into editorial position on staff.

DECA

All marketing students have the opportunity and are encouraged to join DECA (an Association of Marketing Students) to enhance the co-curricular education of students with interests in marketing, management, and entrepreneurship.  DECA helps students develop skills and competence for marketing careers, build self-esteem, experience leadership, and practice community involvement.  Students have the opportunity to participate in district, state, and national levels.

WEST EXPRESS

Students enrolled in Intro to Marketing, Sports & Entertainment Marketing, Hospitality & Tourism Marketing, Exploring Business and Advanced Marketing will be involved in the operation of the school store/marketing lab, West Express.  Students will oversee all aspects of a school store including management, merchandising, apparel design, and overall operations.