FAQ by Carolyn Porter, Program Coordinator/Instructor

What is Electronic Commerce?
Why Study E-Commerce?
What Will I Learn As An E-Commerce Student?
What Kind Of Computer Programs Will I Use?
Do E-Commerce Students Need To Have Lots Of Technical Knowledge?
What Are The E-Commerce Courses Like?
What Kind Of Degree Will I Earn And How Long Will It Take?
Will any of my high school courses count towards my degree?
Where And When Are The Classes Offered?
What Kind Of Job Will I Be Qualified For?
What Job Opportunities Will I Have?
Is E-Commerce Growing?
Do Businesses In Our Area Use E-Commerce?
Should I Take Classes For The Certificate Or The Degree?
What If I Have More Questions?

What is Electronic Commerce?

Electronic Commerce is the use of the Internet and web sites for business purposes. For example, a business may use a web site to share information, advertise, or sell its products.

Why Study E-Commerce?

Business professionals who understand e-commerce bring valuable knowledge to their employers or clients. Our students will have the foundation of a traditional business education, with an added set of e-business skills.  

What Will I Learn As An E-Commerce Student?

E-Commerce students learn business fundamentals such as management, accounting, and marketing. E-Commerce students also learn to plan, design, and create web sites for e-business success.  

What Kind Of Computer Programs Will I Use?

You course work will teach you how to use Dreamweaver (a web page authoring program), Photoshop or Fireworks (web graphics programs), and Flash (an animated graphics program). Students will also learn to use programs that allow customers to buy directly from web sites with electronic shopping carts.   

Do E-Commerce Students Need To Be Computer Scientists Or Have Lots Of Technical Knowledge?

The focus of our course work is not to create computer programmers or technicians. We want to create business professionals that understand e-commerce and can use available tools to create successful business web pages.  

What Are The E-Commerce Courses Like?

Many of our e-commerce classes are a combination of lecture and lab time. I will present topics, guide activities, and hold discussions to reinforce those concepts. Other times, our focus will be more "hands-on" as we work with the computer programs that help us create web pages.

What Kind Of Degree Will I Earn And How Long Will It Take?

After completing the required course work, students can graduate with an Associate of Applied Science Degree. Usually, the course work can be completed in two years (including one summer school term).  

Will any of my high school courses count towards my degree?

The College Tech Prep program at SCC allows students to receive advanced placement or college credit for successfully completing selected high school courses. Eight courses in the Business Administration - Electronic Commerce curriculum are covered by the agreement. For more information, visit the College Tech Prep web pages.  

Where And When Are The Classes Offered?

The majority of the classes are offered during the day on the Sylva campus, though some courses are also offered on-line. Our Weekend College Students are halfway through their 3-year program, which will start again in Fall 2002. If you would like more information on joining the Weekend College program now, please contact me.  

What Kind Of Job Will I Be Qualified For?

As a graduate, you will have the business, technical, and creative skills to compete for any of the traditional business jobs but with the advantage of an extra e-commerce skill set. Some of our students plan to open their own on-line businesses, or "physical" businesses with an on-line component. Other students want to be either consultants or employees of existing businesses and help those businesses use the web effectively.   

What Job Opportunities Will I Have?

A recent survey of 18 local employers found that they expected 39 job openings for e-commerce professionals in the next two years. The expected salary range for those jobs was $15 to $17.50 per hour. Local consultants in the field make an average of $20.00 to $40.00 per hour.

Is E-Commerce Growing?

Electronic commerce is the fastest growing sector of the world's economy. By 2003, electronic commerce will be about a $1.3 trillion industry in the United States, according to the Federal Reserve. The Occupational Outlook Handbook reports that e-commerce related jobs "are expected to be the fastest growing occupations through 2008." Also, the National Industry-Occupation Employment Matrix recently reported a projection that from 1998 to 2008, there would be a 76.6 percent growth in jobs (186,264) that could be filled by e-commerce program graduates.  

Do Businesses In Our Area Use E-Commerce?

A recent survey by our students, found that local small and medium size business were using the web quite successfully. These firms included inns, raft companies, real estate agencies, and other retail businesses. Businesses that depend on tourists know the web is a great way to reach their potential customers.  

Should I Take Classes For The Certificate Or The Degree?

If you already have college degree or equivalent business skills, you may choose to pursue the certificate to give you a new skill set. If you don't have a college degree or equivalent skills, you should consider making the commitment to the degree program. The foundation of college and business course work will serve you well in your future career.  

What If I Have More Questions?

You are welcome to contact me directly. You can reach me at 828.586.4091, ext. 4232, or by e-mail at cporter@southwesterncc.edu.   (top)

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