New course at BHSU to instill confidence in business students

BHSU student doing a business presentation for two other people
Don’t fear discussions with customers and coworkers; take a breath and organize your strategy – these are skills that students will learn in the new THEA-131 course at Black Hills State University. The new course, Introduction to Acting for Business, is designed specifically to help non-theatre majors develop confidence when talking to customers and will be offered for the first time this fall and in the spring of 2021.

Chair for the School of Business and associate professor of entrepreneurship Dr. Jeffery Wehrung says, “The course will help freshmen develop better presentation skills for their future courses. It is also useful to help upper classmen prepare for the job market.”

While the course is geared toward business students, there are no prerequisites for the course. That means any student, no matter their course of study or what courses they’ve taken in the past, can register for the class.

Wehrung shared a recent analysis in which 69,538 unique job postings in the Rapid City area listed sales, customer service, and communication to be the three most desired skills by employers. “In fact 20 percent of all job postings, crossing industries, specifically listed sales ability as a factor in the hiring decision,” he explains.

To better prepare students to fill this need, BHSU has created a series of new courses and experiences to help build the confidence and resources needed in today’s job market.

In addition to the THEA-131 course, BHSU is also offering a course in personal selling and lodging management.

About the BHSU School of Business
Black Hills State University is a premier, student-centered university where students can fulfill their potential in an exceptional business environment. The University offers associate, bachelor (with seven specializations) and master's degree business programs on campus in Spearfish and at BHSU-Rapid City. Classes are also available online. Through innovative instruction, city mentoring, research, internships, and service, BHSU develops business graduates who can compete effectively in a dynamic global environment.

For more information about business programs at BHSU visit www.BHSU.edu/Business or contact Wehrung at Jeffery.Wehrung@BHSU.edu or 605-642-6398.