Business

What Business Career Pathways Are Offered?

Business Management

This pathway prepares students to formulate policies and direct the operations of a business, corporation, nonprofit, or other organization. The skills they’ll learn are designed to help them grow into the business leaders of tomorrow across nearly every industry, from healthcare to digital design.

By graduation, students are prepared for a wide range of innovative careers that will shape global business for years to come.

Courses Offered

Students will gain in-depth business expertise with classes such as: 

• Marketing
• Introduction to Management
• Entrepreneurship

Additional core courses, such as Intro to Business Communications, will also develop students’  ability to speak, listen, write, use and read body language in teams and groups, making them outstanding leaders in the business world.

Digital Communications

Our Digital Communications pathway prepares students to successfully design and produce interactive multimedia productions and services, including developing digitally generated or computer-enhanced media used in business, training, entertainment, communications, and marketing.

By graduation, students have a comprehensive knowledge of the tools used in today’s fast-paced digital communications field.

Courses Offered

Students will gain hands-on digital communications expertise with classes such as: 

• Adobe Photoshop
• Adobe Illustrator
• Adobe Indesign

These courses prepare students for an exciting career at the intersection of creativity and business. 

Additional core courses, such as Web Design, teach students the coding languages HTML and CSS so they can create live homepages to serve as portfolios as they apply to jobs.

Personal Financial Advisor

A Personal Financial Advisor helps individuals manage their finances by offering advice on investments, insurance, mortgages, estate planning, taxes, and retirement. The median pay for a personal financial advisor was $99,580 per year in 2023, and this career has a projected growth of 13% through 2032.

Management Analyst

Management Analysts, or management consultants, recommend ways to improve an organization’s efficiency. They help managers make organizations more profitable through cost reductions and revenue increases. The median pay for a management analyst was $99,410 per year in 2023, and this career has a projected growth of 10% through 2032.

Marketing Manager

Marketing Managers strive to generate interest in products or services through their digital marketing strategies. The median pay for a marketing manager was $156,580 per year in 2023, and this career has a projected growth of 6% through 2032.

*Some of these jobs require additional education and certifications once a student graduates from high school.

What Could My Student’s Future Look Like in This Career Field?**

While we’ve discussed three of the most popular business and digital communications careers, there are many more to explore.

**Data is from Lightcast and is updated frequently.

Building Your Career in Business: Certifications and Exams

Leadership roles in business require more than classroom knowledge and skills. As your student prepares for their career, they should also consider the following certifications and exams:

Microsoft Office Specialist

A Microsoft Office Specialist certification in Word, Excel, and PowerPoint*** can help you achieve professional success by helping you stand out to employers, secure employment more quickly, and enhance your productivity.

Intuit QuickBooks Certified User

The Intuit QuickBooks Certified User certification proves that you have acquired the knowledge and skills to effectively use the Intuit QuickBooks Online software in a business environment, whether you choose to open your own business or work for an employer. 

Entrepreneurship and Small Business Certificate

The Entrepreneurship and Small Business (ESB) Certificate from Intuit and the Network for Teaching Entrepreneurship shows that you understand core business principles, including how to launch and maintain a business successfully.

Adobe Photoshop Certification

Obtaining certification in Adobe Photoshop enhances your ability to create captivating visuals and provides you with a valuable advantage in the competitive digital media and design industry job market.

Adobe InDesign Certification

Adobe InDesign certificates validate your practical skills and knowledge of graphic design, photography, video editing, UI/UX design, and more.

Adobe Illustrator Certification

With an Adobe Illustrator certification, you demonstrate your expertise and dedication to leveraging widely recognized creative software, which can significantly enhance your appeal to both clients and prospective employers.

Digital Communications Technical Skills Assessment (TSA)

The Idaho Division of Career Technical Education provides students with industry-recognized certifications and credentials. The Digital Communications TSA includes testing on a variety of areas within digital communications, including principles of design, basic communication skills, and web page development. 

Business Management Technical Skills Assessment (TSA)

The Idaho Division of Career Technical Education offers an assessment for business students headed toward a career in this field. Areas of assessment include financial decision making, marketing strategies, and business ownership.

***Many Microsoft^®️ Office certificates can be earned after completing one course. Other certificates require more classes to be better prepared, and students who participate in the program for at least two years will have further preparation for certification testing.

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