The world of work is rapidly changing. Employers need people to help them be productive in a global marketplace. New skills are necessary for the 21st century. Employees are expected to contribute ideas, be team players, and communicate effectively in a technical world. In the 21st century, almost half of all workers will be business owners or will operate home-based businesses. The four Business Education clusters prepare students to succeed in this changing environment. COMPUTER SCIENCE & INFORMATION SYSTEMS The Department of Labor estimates that by the year 2000 at least 44% of all workers will be in data services; gathering, processing retrieving, or analyzing information. Large and small businesses need people with skills in designing, engineering, programming, systems analysis, information management, and security. Administrative support personnel, one of the largest occupational groups, require knowledge in records management, office management, computer applications, supervision, and communications. Changing lifestyles and technology, such as the Internet, continue to create new opportunities in the development of computer software and hardware. ACCOUNTING & FINANCE Accounting and Finance students can expect to find excellent job opportunities. Demand will be especially strong for auditors, tax accountants, cost accountants, and analysts. Our global economy creates a need for specialized skills in international business, banking and investment. An increasing number of people are seeking financial planning assistance for retirement. Employment in this career path is predicted to grow faster than average through the year 2010. BUSINESS MANAGEMENT A skilled manager is essential to the efficient operation of any business. Knowledge and experience in analyzing data, financial planning, and human resource development are required. Courses in this pathway prepare students for entry-level and professional-level positions. Opportunities for managers in the service industry are excellent. This industry is projected to be number one in job growth with four million new jobs in the next ten years. Other career options include human resource manager, employment interviewer, personnel specialist, and labor market relations specialist. MARKETING This exciting career path provides excellent job opportunities in a variety of settings. Marketing and Sales are predicted to have the second largest number of jobs in the next decade. Students in this pathway gain the knowledge to determine consumer needs, and to direct products and services to meet those needs. Several specialty areas provide excellent career opportunities: the Hospitality Industry is booming, with consumers flocking to hotels, resorts, and theme parks in great numbers; Fashion Merchandising looks for employees who are creative and have a business background; Travel and Tourism is also experiencing exceptional growth. Employment opportunities abound in travel agencies, resorts and casinos, and on cruise ships. ENTREPRENEURSHIP IS FOUND WITHIN ALL BUSINESS CAREERS Entrepreneurship permeates all four of the business career pathways. There is an increase in the number of people who are choosing to open their own small businesses. Many small business owners work for larger companies on a contract basis. Technological advances make it possible for many people to work at home. A predication is that the number of self-employed workers is expected to increase by 15% in the next ten years. The four business career paths give a student the necessary knowledge and skills to become an entrepreneur.