Clarion and Venango Professional Skills Development Series is presented in collaboration with Clarion University’s Division of Continuing Education, Clarion Campus and Venango Campus, and the Keystone Community Education Council. A 24-hour certificate program provides the opportunity to develop or enhance the professional skills needed to succeed in the workplace. Courses meet on the second Wednesday of the month, 9 a.m.-11 a.m., from March 12, 2008–February 13, 2009. Session locations will alternate between Clarion University–Venango Campus, Clarion University, and Structural Modulars Inc. in Clarion. Attendance at seven sessions is required to receive a certificate of completion, through Clarion University’s Division of Continuing Education, at a rate of one CEU for every 10 hours of instruction time.

Cost: $250/series (7 sessions) Individual Courses: $50/session

Are Your Communication Skills Sabotaging Your Career?
How to communicate with confidence to gain respect and credibility.
March 12, 2008 (Clarion)
Presenter: Barry McCauliff, Clarion University faculty

Customer Service
April 9, 2008 (Venango)
Presenter: Gary Svetz, Svetz Consulting, LLC

Learning to Listen: Are You Hearing What I’m Saying?
May 14, 2008 (Clarion)
Presenter: Barry McCauliff, Clarion University faculty

Networking and Business Etiquette
August 13, 2008 (Venango)
Presenter: Rick Capozzi, The Capozzi Group

How to Deactivate Potentially Dangerous Situations
July 9, 2008 (Clarion)
Presenter: Bob Daugherty, Chief Probation Officer

Time and Information Management
June 11, 2008 (Venango)
Presenter: Hope Lineman, Clarion University staff

Stress Management
September 10, 2008 (Clarion)
Presenter: Betty McKisson, Wellness Health Options

Personality Profile and How it Affects Your Working Style and Relationships
October 8, 2008 (Venango)
Presenter: Lance Hummer, T.E.A.M. Consulting

How to Deal with Chronically Impossible People
November 12, 2008 (Clarion)
Presenter: Myrna Kuehn, Clarion University faculty

Guide to Ethical Behavior in the Workplace
January 9, 2009 (Clarion)
Presenter: Larry Carr, Clarion University faculty

$89
Tuesdays, 6 p.m.-7:30 p.m.
February 5-April 8 (No class March 11 and March 25)
Instructor: Patricia Mong

$69
Tuesdays, 6 p.m.-7:30 p.m.
April 22-June 3
Instructor: Patricia Mong

Communicating in Business
explores behavioral theories and concepts that explain and predict human interaction in the workplace. Students develop writing, speaking, marketing, interpersonal, and leadership skills.

$149
Mondays, 6:30 p.m-9 p.m.
April 7-May 12
Instructor: Pam Evans-Waters

Communication Skills for Women
provides students with the skills to effectively say what they mean. Students will learn to listen for verbal and nonverbal differences in practicing clear communication skills. Participants will learn how to understand gender-linked challenges that women face on the job and in society and how to recognize and reduce gender stereotypes. The impact that posture, voice pitch and tone, eye contact, and facial expressions have on communications will be addressed. This course is interactive and will address real-life concerns.

$69
Saturdays, 9 a.m.-Noon
February 16, 23; March 1, 8
Instructor: Dr. Audean Duespohl

Professional Growth and Development
explores career-related topics such as professional image, office etiquette, interpersonal skills, time and stress management techniques, workplace diversity, teamwork and leadership skills, conflict management, job seeking and networking strategies, resume and cover letter development, and interview techniques.

$149
Mondays, 6 p.m.-8 p.m.
January 28-March 3
Instructor: Emily Aubele

Bookkeeping 101
is for non-accountants, individuals starting a business, or those moving into positions of employment requiring accounting knowledge. The course covers terminology, revenue, expenses, net income, the accounting equation, debits, credits, balancing, and more. By applying the concepts learned in the course, students will understand how and why financial transactions are documented, and what cash flow is and how to improve it. $375

Mondays and Wednesdays, 6 p.m.-9 p.m. May 12, 14, 19, 21, 28; June 2, 4, 9, 11, 16, 18, 23, 25 and Saturdays, 9 a.m.-Noon, May 31; June 7, 14, 21
Instructor: Heather S. Monhkern

Entrepreneurship in Small Business
offers a step-by-step process for owning a business. The course covers the skills entrepreneurs need to develop a business plan, obtain financing, choose a location, and set up for business, along with marketing a business, record keeping and accounting, and financial management.

$189
Wednesday, 5:30 p.m.-8:30 p.m. and Saturdays 9 a.m.-Noon
January 23-March 5 (No class February 6)
Instructor: Syrena Hutchinson, LPN

$225
Wednesdays, 5:30 p.m.-8:30 p.m. and Saturdays, 9 a.m.-Noon
March 26-May 17
Instructor: Syrena Hutchinson, LPN

Medical Coding provides students with the foundation skills for completing the medical coding process in any health care environment. The course provides students with the knowledge to select diagnosis and procedure codes for optimal reimbursement. The course is designed to prepare students for all coding scenarios leading to national certification. Medical Terminology and Anatomy for Medical Office Personnel are required courses prior to enrolling in the Medical Coding course.

$675
Tuesdays, 5:30 p.m.-9:30 p.m., Saturdays, 8 a.m.-2:30 p.m.
April 5-May 27 
Instructor: Rhonda Buckholtz, CPC

Medical Coding for Certification is designed to prepare the advanced coder for certification through the American Academy of Professional Coders. Course goes through reimbursement issues, advanced coding scenarios and structures and sample exams.

Courses range from $225 to $975
Online Coach: Rhonda Buckholtz, CPC

Students will use Photoshop to learn how to improve picture images. Topics covered will be: screen calibration, cropping, color adjustment, levels, histogram, layers and masks, fixing your images, file formats and saving, and printing and sharing. Some topics may not be applicable to your particular digital camera. Students should bring their camera, accessories, and owner’s manual if available, to class. Students will have the opportunity to take pictures, edit them and have them critiqued.

QuickBooks training course introduces students to QuickBooks, Intuit’s powerful accounting system for small- to medium-sized businesses. The course is comprised of 15 lessons combining lecture and hands-on student exercises. No knowledge of finance or accounting is needed; however, students should have a basic knowledge of the computer operating system and know how to move around the desktop.

$199
Mondays and Wednesdays, 6 p.m.-9 p.m.
June 30; July 2, 7, 9
Instructor: Heather S. Mohnkern, A+, Net+, MOSMaster, MCP, QuickBooks Pro Advisor Trainer

Microsoft Office offers a thorough overview of the Microsoft Office software package: Word, Excel, Internet Explorer, and PowerPoint. The course is a must for everyone using a computer.

$179
Mondays, 6:30 p.m.-9 p.m.
January 28-March 3
Instructor: Heather S. Mohnkern

Microsoft Word Core Skills provides easy-to-follow, step-by-step lessons that enable students to quickly and efficiently learn the features of Microsoft Word and how to use them at school, at home, and in the workplace. The course offers straightforward instruction with a focus on real-world business scenarios. Course content includes: Basic Editing, Using Templates and Wizards, Formatting Text, Changing the Layout of a Document, Using Automated Formatting, Working Collaboratively, Working with Graphics, Working with Word and the Web, and Columns and Tables.

$179
Wednesdays, 6:30 p.m.-9 p.m.
February 13-March 12
Instructor: Heather S. Mohnkern, A+, Network+, MCP, MSCE 4.0, MOS Master, QuickBooks ProAdvisor, Trainer

Microsoft Word Expert Skills provides easy-to-follow, step-by-step lessons that enable students to quickly and efficiently learn the intermediate features of Microsoft Word and how to use them at school, at home, and in the workplace. The course offers straightforward instruction with a focus on real-world business scenarios. Course content includes: Advanced Paragraph and Picture Formatting, Advanced Document Formats, Working with Tables and Lists, Customizing Word, Merging Documents for Mailing, Using Macros, Creating Forms, and Working with Long Document Formats.

$179
Wednesdays, 6:30 p.m.-9 p.m.
March 19-April 16
Instructor: Heather S. Mohnkern, A+, Network+, MCP, MSCE 4.0, MOS Master, QuickBooks ProAdvisor, Trainer

Microsoft Excel Core Skills provides easy-to-follow, step-by-step lessons that enable students to quickly and efficiently learn the features of Microsoft Excel and how to use Excel at school, at home, and in the workplace. The course offers friendly, straightforward instruction with a focus on real-world business scenarios. Course contents includes: Worksheet Fundamentals, Editing and Formatting Worksheets, Formatting Cells, Changing Print Options, Organizing Worksheets and Window Display, Working with Charts, Performing Basic Calculations, Basic Financial and Logical Functions, and Using Excel and the
Internet.

$179
Mondays, 6:30 p.m.-9 p.m.
April 7-May 5
Instructor: Heather S. Mohnkern, A+, Network+, MCP, MSCE 4.0, MOS Master, QuickBooks ProAdvisor, Trainer

Microsoft Excel Expert Skills provides easy-to-follow step-by-step lessons to enable students to quickly and efficiently learn the intermediate features of Microsoft Excel and how to use them at school, at home, and in the workplace. The course offers friendly, straightforward instruction with a focus on real-world business scenarios. Course content includes: Importing and Exporting Data, Creating and Using Excel Lists, Formatting and Organizing Data, Auditing a Workbook, Data Analysis Tools and Features, Sharing Workbooks, Exchanging Information Using the Web, Using Macros, and Customizing the Excel Environment.

$179
Tuesdays, 6:30 p.m.-9 p.m.
May 13-June 10
Instructor: Heather S. Mohnkern, A+, Network+, MCP, MSCE 4.0, MOS Master, QuickBooks ProAdvisor, Trainer

Planning for Retirement is designed for people planning to retire or who are already retired. Students gain knowledge of the two phases of retirement planning: accumulating a portfolio for retirement and spending portfolio and retirement income wisely. Students learn to calculate net worth, estimate future living expenses and income, develop strategies to fight inflation, make the right investment choices, and get the answers to questions about retirement issues.

$20
Thursday, 6:30 p.m.-8:30 p.m.
March 6
Instructor: Sandra J. Jazwinski, CFP

Empowering Women Through Financial Planning is designed for women of all ages who want to protect their financial futures. Women face unique challenges: they live longer, earn less, and secure fewer retirement benefits than men. Women often find themselves financially on their own. The course provides an overview of financial issues affecting every woman and is designed to inform and educate them to make financially sound decisions. Topics include how to calculate net worth, analyze cash flow, review insurance types, review investment tools (including those used for college education and retirement), and basic estate planning necessities.

$49
Thursdays, 6:30 p.m.-8:30 p.m.
April 3, 10
Instructor: Sandra J. Jazwinski, CFP

Watercolor for Everyone develops watercolor skills. No drawing skills required—just a fun, relaxing time and three completed paintings by the end of the series. During the six-week class, students learn the basics of working with watercolors. All paintings will be created from pre-drawn patterns. Designs will be transferred to watercolor paper and then will be painted using a variety of watercolor techniques. A kit containing materials needed for the course is included in the fee.

Students will need to bring:

• Pencil

• Two water containers that hold at least eight ounces of water (plastic cups, jelly jars,—NOT paper or foam cups)

• Paper towels (Viva, Bounty, or equivalent)
   

*New students who have not taken a previous art class with Judy will need to purchase a $25 basic supply kit in addition to the cost of the course. Please note this on the registration form. You can make one payment in the amount of $124 payable to Clarion University.

A People’s Contest: The American Civil War provides students with a structured overview of the American Civil War who do not wish to take a longer, college-level course. It is designed for individuals 18 years of age and older. Students will explore why the Civil War remains America’s most compelling experience. The following areas will be surveyed: military, social and economic, and political for both the North and South. A field trip to the battlefield of Gettysburg is a possibility contingent upon student participation. All costs and responsibilities will be incurred by each participant.

$35
Wednesday, 6 p.m.-8 p.m.
April 2-May 7
Instructor: Dennis S. Lavery, Ph.D.

Taking Care of You is a "hands on" class teaching students how to add healthier choices into their daily routines. Topics covered will be the basics of nutrition and vitamins, stress reduction and personal wellness, exercise, sleep and stretching. Students will learn how they can make small but significant changes and how to incorporate them into their daily routines. Enroll in this course and you will be just a class away from a better you.

$45
Saturdays, 10 a.m.-1 p.m.
March 1, 8
Instructor: Samuel Johnson, M.A., Counseling Services, Venango Campus

Geo-caching: "Using high tech equipment to find Tupperware in the woods" is a hands-on and interactive class on learning how to participate in Geo-caching. The basic history of navigation and understanding latitude and longitude will be covered. Students will also learn the basic use of a compass, what global positioning is, and what a global positioning system can be used for. Students will learn basic operations of a GPS unit. GPS units will be available for class use but students may want to bring their own. During the second day of class, students will learn the history of geo-caching, will learn to set up a geo-caching account and will have hands-on training in using the Website. Students will have an opportunity to find a geo-cache near the campus!

The session also discusses everything you need to know about taking the test from registration to test-taking strategies to help you do your best to achieve proficiency.

Praxis I Preparation: Writing prepares early childhood, elementary, and secondary education majors for taking the writing section of the Praxis I. The session focuses on strategies for writing the essay and provides practice with authentic test questions on sentence construction, grammar, and usage.

$20
Thursday, 7 p.m.-8 p.m.
April 10
Instructor: Dr. Patricia Kolencik, Clarion Education Department

Praxis I Preparation: Reading prepares early childhood, elementary, and secondary education majors for taking the reading section of the Praxis I. The session provides practice with authentic test questions on reading comprehension.

$20
Wednesday, 7 p.m. -8 p.m.
April 2
Instructor: Dr. Patricia Kolencik, Clarion Education Department

Praxis I Preparation: Mathematics prepares early childhood, elementary, and secondary education majors for taking the math section of the Praxis I. The session focuses on practice with authentic math content such as algebra, geometry, measurement, data analysis, and probability.

$20
Thursday, 7 p.m.-8 p.m.
April 17
Instructor: Dr. Patricia Kolencik, Clarion Education Department

"The Birds in Your Backyard" is the theme of the Second Annual Oil Region Birding Festival which will be held May 2, 3, and 4. Birders of all ages and skill levels will enjoy an owl prowl, bird walks, workshops, and the Birder’s Banquet. Package cost: $99

For additional information, call Toni Kresinski at 677-3152, ext. 110.

Social Ballroom Dancing teaches the basic steps in familiar ballroom dances, including, Waltz, Cha-Cha, and the Nightclub two-step. If you like to watch Dancing with the Stars on TV, you will love this class!

$60/single $120/couple
Location: The Great Room, Transit Building, Downtown Oil City
Mondays, 6:30 p.m.-7:30 p.m.
January 28-March 3        
Instructor: Jeff LeMier, Dance Instructor

Basket Weaving teaches students basic weaving techniques. Students will make a multi-purpose rectangular-shaped basket with a wire jelly jar handle. This is a great class for beginners. Students are required to bring a fabric measuring tape and heavy-duty scissors or wire cutters.

$35
Tuesdays and Thursdays, 6:30 p.m.-8:30 p.m.
April 1, 3, 8
Instructor: Kathy Perrett, owner Kathy’s Handwoven Country Rugs & Baskets

Photography: Beyond "Point & Shoot" will begin by defining photography and discussing the various formats available today. Students will learn about information on cameras, lighting equipment, flashes, exposure control, composition, and how to take a good picture. Participants will study portraiture, landscapes, candids, and still-life. The focus will be on 35mm film and digital and the merits of both formats. A 35mm or digital camera with the ability to set the aperture and/or shutter speed will be required for the class.

$129
Mondays, 6 p.m.-9 p.m.
February 4-March 3
Instructor: Tim Mong

Intermediate Photography is a follow up course to Photography: Beyond "Point & Shoot." Students will delve farther into lighting, both studio and natural, and creative uses of shutter speed and aperture. Students will also explore the use of filters, which ones are more important, their effects on light, and how to compensate for those effects when necessary. The class will continue to learn how to "read" a photograph; ones we have taken and ones others have taken to explore what the photographer was seeing.

$129
Mondays, 6 p.m.-9 p.m.
April 7-May 5
Instructor: Tim Mong

Babysitter Course Every parent wants a responsible and prepared sitter. The course teaches students about safe and age-appropriate toys and games, first aid, diapering and feeding, and bedtime issues, for a safe babysitting experience. The course is designed for youth ages 11 to 15 and is great preparation for summer time babysitting jobs. Lunch is provided.

$69
Saturday, May 17
9 a.m.-3:30 p.m. 
Instructor: Natalie Lux, Babysitting Instructor for the American Red Cross