Business students go on trips to learn about field

To help students learn more about their chosen profession, the Business and Accounting department at Pratt Community College takes their students on many trips through the year to places like Cessna, Koch Industries and Grant Thornton in Wichita.
 
"By taking the students to different place, we [the three business instructors] allow the students to see more than just what’s in Pratt and see a variety of job opportunities that are available to them," said Carol Ricke, Business Department Chair.
 
This past semester students in the department traveled to Hutchinson to see the Underground Vaults and Storage Units and then went on to Great Bend where they visited CPI Qualified Plan Consultants.
 
Ricke said PCC students are one of only two groups allowed in the underground vaults.
 
She said she likes to take the students not only because it is the only chance they will get to see them but also because "it is good for them to see how records are stored and how long they should be kept."
 
She said that if the students are serious about going into business it is important for them to know the importance of keeping good records and this is an easy, fun way for her to do that.
 
After going to the vaults, they went to CPI, which is a financial company that deals with people’s financial plans.
 
"It is good for students to go here and see how a national business is ran," Ricke said. "It’s also one more chance for students to see what options they have in business."
 
PCC’s business department offers two programs that students can enroll in. The Medical Office Assistant program teaches students skills to work in a medical office setting. According to Ricke, students who go into this profession could be working with accounting, books or insurance in a medical office.
 
People can start enrolling in spring classes now by calling Ricke at 620.450.2124.