Holding Pattern
I’ve got almost all of the classes that I need for this first quarter. I’ve got a typing test on Saturday, for which I have to type 35 WPM with only three mistakes or fewer. Now, see, I type upwards of 65 WPM, but the big catch here is that I won’t be allowed to look at my hands at all, and I won’t be able to use the backspace key. I’m a little scared of this, but if I slow down just a touch, I should be fine. After the results come in, I will get my final class (Document Formatting and Skill-building I).
People think I’m crazy; my first quarter, I’m carrying 19 credit hours. This is not as crazy as it seems. All but one of these classes will be online, where I should have plenty of time to complete them. Also, I’m posting my class list after this. You can see them for yourselves. These are going to be easy classes for me, but the challenge for me will be the amount of work I have to complete.
MATH 101 Business Mathematics
5 credits
Course covers percents and the percent formula; gross earnings; FICA and withholding; trade discounts; mark-up and mark-down; simple and compound interest and present value; simple discount notes; annuities and loan amortization; inventory valuation methods and depreciation schedules. Also offers an introduction to descriptive statistics, mean, median, mode, and graphs. MATH 101 includes applications labs using Excel. This course has traditional, hybrid, and Web section offerings and meets degree requirement for the A.A.S. degree in several technical programs.
BOA 132 Document Formatting and Skill Building 1
3 credits
BOA 132 presents an intermediate interactive system reinforcing keyboarding skills by touch. Applications using Microsoft Word are designed to teach formats for business correspondence, tabulations, and manuscripts with emphasis on correct techniques, proofreading, decision-making skills, and accuracy; further development of keyboarding speed measured in words per minute and accuracy of one error per minute on three-minute timings. To receive credit for this course, students must demonstrate assigned formatting skills and be able to key at least two different three-minute timings, each demonstrating a minimum speed of 35 words a minute (“D” grade) with accuracy of three or fewer errors. Students must earn a “C” grade or better as a prerequisite for BOA 133 Document Formatting and Skill Building II.
BOA 101 Business Grammar
3 credits
This course is a structured program reviewing the parts of speech in detail. In addition, it is designed to help students become skillful in sentence analysis, word choice, punctuation, vocabulary, capitalization, number expression, and spelling. Any DEV classes needed are to be taken before scheduling this challenging review course. It is recommended that students take BOA 101 prior to ENGL 101. Business Office Applications majors must earn a “C” grade or better in BOA 101
BOA 105 Desktop and Document Management
1 credit
This is a foundation course preparing students to manage the computer desktop and documents. Students will learn to create and manage document folders, download and upload documents and folders, download and use utility software to view PDF files, videos, and multimedia presentations, condense and extract zipped files and folders.
BOA 191 Word I (Modules 1 and 2)
2 credits
This is a foundation course using Microsoft Word software. Students will learn to create, modify and maintain documents, format and customize documents, create tables and charts, and enhance documents with special features. Students must earn a “C” grade or better in BOA 191 as a prerequisite for BOA 192 Word II. Recommended: Keyboarding skill of at least 35 words per minute and computer experience.
BOA 150 Office Procedures I
3 credits
This foundation course will provide continuity and integration with all BOA courses by focusing on the essential knowledge, skills, abilities, qualities, and attitudes that are critical for success in an office environment. In addition to soft skills, students will learn to plan business meetings and travel as well as organizing a workplace environment. The third component of this course will introduce students to development of an electronic portfolio. This electronic portfolio will be integrated into all courses in the curriculum.
BOA 172 Excel (Modules 1 and 2)
2 credits
This is a foundation course using Microsoft Excel software. Students will explore Excel features and functions used in business applications. Students will learn to plan and create worksheets, modify and maintain worksheets, insert formulas, create charts, and enhance the display of workbooks. Recommended: Keyboarding and computer experience.
I could have easily tested out of Business Math, but they teach things like calculating FICA, and for an admin, especially one who may end up working for a small company, that’s a huge deal. A lot of times, admins at smaller companies end up being the go-to person with a lot of hats, like AP/AR and HR among the other “normal” admin duties. Things like this only make me more marketable, which is why I’m also going to take as many accounting electives as my degree track offers (Peachtree, here I come!).
Right now, I’m in a holding pattern. My first financial aid disbursement is on March 19. The 2nd one is ten days after the beginning of the quarter. I can’t get my books until my first disbursement, and I’m a little antsy about that. I want to see what I’m getting into, as far as books go, with both work and money. This is a huge new thing for me, and this would help me settle down a bit, honestly.
I’m still crazy excited about this, and I’m chomping at the bit until the 19th. Until then, though? Yeah, holding pattern. It can’t get here fast enough.
