By Jose Barajas, ROC Small Business Entrepreneurship

Bakersfield, CA - ROC’s Bookkeeping & Accounting students are learning a wide variety of skills, from MS Office to computer accounting. Also embedded within the program is the unique opportunity for students to learn professional networking and event planning. These are a skills that will serve them well for years to come once they enter the world of business.

The students recently coordinated an “Employee Expectations Event” where they invited a business owner to talk about his experiences and expectations of young workers in business. The students had food and drinks after the guest had spoken, giving them all the opportunity to network. The entire event, from inviting the guest speaker to preparing the purchase orders for the food, were carried out by different student teams who worked together to plan and coordinate the overall event.

Crystal, an Independence High School student at ROC, says she likes ROC even more than her home school. Her part in arranging this event was planning the entertainment.

Maresa from South High School wants to be a veterinarian, but she wants to learn accounting as a career alternative. Even if she goes into medicine, one can never go wrong understanding and managing money properly. One thing she most liked about the event was that she got to meet new people.

Mrs. Summers, the Bookkeeping & Accounting teacher, said the purpose for this event was to give students the chance to network and also to learn about employee expectations once they begin their internship and eventually their job.

The speaker in the class for the day’s event was David Muth, owner of Muth Pumps. He said that has been in the business for 10 years. His grandfather started the firm in a single car garage and now he is in a 10,000 sq. foot warehouse. He talked about being early, dressing nice, and also on the correct way to shake someone's hand. Hearing these important tips from an actual employer seemed to really impact students.

Events like this help students learn professionalism, planning and implementation, and, of course, learn what future employers will be seeking from their workers.