Texas sTaTe unIversITY-san marcos Is
Home To a cHapTer of alpHa mu alpHa, a naTIonal
markeTIng HonorarY socIeTY recognIzIng
scHolasTIc acHIevemenT among markeTIng sTudenTs.
offered at Pampa High School in Pampa,
juniors and seniors working at the store learn
new Career Electives outs of managing cultural differences, and how to count change, prepare items for sale, and
These new electives are tuned in to the latest different governments and economies affect take inventory.
strategies for marketing and technology. marketing strategies. For those aspiring to work “Learning these skills gives students a head
Advertising/E-Commerce teaches up-to- for themselves, a course in entrepreneurship start,” says Donna Crow, Pampa marketing
date advertising techniques and promotional introduces students to the hottest fields in teacher. “When they get to college or on
strategies using the Internet. In Sports and marketing and discusses the risks and rewards the job, they have the sales and marketing
Entertainment Management, students of owning their own business. terminology down and job entry skills, so
learn the management skills necessary to they’re not lost.”
organize, plan, and manage entertainment in-school stores
events. Networking, human relations, and A number of Texas schools offer in-school student Organizations
leadership skills are especially emphasized. opportunities to practice sales and business Clements High School in Sugar Land,
International Marketing covers how to do skills through the operation of a school Birdina’s high school, offers seven marketing
business with foreign countries, the ins and store. In a cooperative education class courses in addition to numerous career-
building activities in partnership with
DECA, an in-school organization of students
S P o T L I G H T
exploring marketing as a career.
“We have more than 300 students in our
program,” says Ken Kaser, marketing teacher
at Clements. “It’s important to get experience
A*S*K AND You SHALL RECEIvE in the field as early as possible, because it
Certifications Help students stand out in the Crowd
makes it easier later on.”
Students are given plenty of opportunity to
C
ertification makes you stand out from knowledge and skills are what potential
earn college credit while still in high school,
the competition, whether you’re applying employers are looking for in qualified
as Birdina does. One-semester courses count
for college or applying for a job. The a*s*k job applicants.
for a half credit, full-year courses count for
(assessment of skills and knowledge) business “certification offers a unique opportunity for
one credit, and students may earn as many
Institute offers certification in areas including students to stand out from the crowd by proving
as three credits through the school’s co-op
general business and marketing concepts, what they’ve learned,” says James r. gleason,
internship program, which often allows
marketing communications and advertising, and president and chief executive officer of marked/
students to leave school early to go to work.
professional selling. career paths, a nonprofit business education
a*s*k is a nonprofit organization, dedicated to group that partnered with the marketing student
Tech Prep Opportunities
promoting marketing and business education. It organization deca to develop a*s*k.
Another way to get a head start on college
certifies the skills students have mastered in high “The program offers students the chance to
is to take advantage of Tech Prep, which
school business and marketing classes. students document their success in the classroom and use
enables students to combine courses of
can then use those certifications to help them it to leverage future opportunities,” gleason says.
study in high school and at local community
land jobs and get into the college of their choice. In addition to certification, you may also
colleges to earn associate’s degrees in
a*s*k certifications are recognized by the apply for the a*s*k recognition package, which
marketing and other subjects.
Texas education agency, and testing is offered includes a high-quality certificate, a series of
Students take approved Tech Prep courses,
online, usually at your high school. as a marketing letters documenting your expertise, a press
such as Advertising/E-Commerce, in high
or business student, you may take one of several release hailing your accomplishment, and posting
school. Students must earn a “B” or better
exams that measure your mastery of the course of your name on the a*s*k website (www.
in those courses and declare their major at
materials at various levels: foundational (career- askinstitute.org).
one of dozens of participating community
sustaining), advanced (specialist), or manager/ These materials are proof to your chosen
colleges and universities throughout the state.
entrepreneur. college or prospective employer that you are
They can earn up to 15 college credits while
Your results are compared against standards serious about pursuing your chosen career and
still in high school for a head start on their
and performance measures established by that you meet high professional standards.
associate’s degree. Dallas County Tech Prep
the institute in partnership with the business for more information on a*s*k certifications,
alone has about 160 Tech Prep agreements
community, trade and professional associations, ask your marketing education teacher, visit www.
with 18 area independent school districts.
and educational institutions to ensure the askinstitute.org, or call 614-486-6708.
Page 13
Page 1  |  Page 2  |  Page 3  |  Page 4  |  Page 5  |  Page 6  |  Page 7  |  Page 8  |  Page 9  |  Page 10  |  Page 11  |  Page 12  |  Page 13  |  Page 14  |  Page 15  |  Page 16  |  Page 17  |  Page 18  |  Page 19  |  Page 20  |  Page 21  |  Page 22  |  Page 23  |  Page 24