Debi Zurek
Gets Down to Business!
Mrs. Zurek is the Business Technology and Management Instructor here at the Career Center. She is in her third year here, two of which she has had me as a student. I've interviewed every teacher here at KACC for one kind of article or another and for this one, I thought I had all the personal insight. Nope - we are always learning something and I have learned a great deal from Mrs. Zurek. Although we have a lot of fun and laughs, we hit the books, computers and various activities hard to get our work done. It's been a great two years.
Some might think....Business Technology and Management...what's that? Is it keyboarding, is it computer software training, secretarial training? Absolutely NOT. The term business encompasses such a vast array of areas and offers many a crossroads with myriad directions to take. One might choose marketing or management or finance or advertising. One might choose to own their own small business or work in a small firm, or maybe even a huge corporation such as Apple or Microsoft. One must choose their job wisely or they might get lost along the way. Mrs. Zurek has taken many crossroads, all them giving her varied experiences; eventually leading her here to KACC.
Mrs. Zurek began her journey following graduation from Tinley Park High School in 1976 when she went to Iowa to attend University of Dubuque where she majored in elementary special education, psychology and social work. Her original goal was to work with deaf and blind children. As is oftentimes the case, situations, opportunities and personal goals change, finding Mrs. Zurek, taking a fresh look and choosing a different path.
In 1980, Mrs. Zurek joined Exon Office Systems to work in customer service with their corporate clientsin Chicago. Then she accepted a position providing group training for ofice equipment. Those years went by in a flash and soon Mrs. Zurek found her way to Borg Warner, a Chicago law firm, as a legal secretary. In 1986, Mrs. Zurek was forced to choose another road because sadly, the law firm closed. With every obstacle comes opportunity.
Olympia Fields Hospital was the place to be. Mrs. Zurek worked awith the administration's team, for 12 years. She then returned to school to expand her knowledge in the areas of marketing and finance. Always willing to try something new, Mrs. Zurek, was offered a new opportunity and decided work a sales career in 1998. For the next five years she worked with individuals and groups, selling and servicing insurance plans.
When the opportunity presented itself, Mrs. Zurek began working part time here at KACC within the Special Populations department. Following the retirement of KACC's business teacher, Mrs. Zurek finally found the road she was destined to follow ~ To be here working with students, like myself, as KACC's Business Technology/Management teacher.
In the business classroom, the students are extremely busy, but still have time for a bit of fun. During our first year, we learned about basic business principles and concepts. We tackle presentations based upon articles in The Wall Street Journal, and even create a mock business, with all the pertinent back up information for a start-up company. Wow, my first business plan ever!
Second year students continue learning about strategic planning, project management and work on our resume and portfolio development. We have mock board meetings on a regular basis, continue investigating the current business market and, as seniors, have an opportunity to go on internship assignments out in our local business community. For me, I chose to stay here at KACC and intern as a reporter for KACC's website. I've both learned a lot from and enjoyed the experience.
Mrs. Zurek keeps us all engaged by utilizing a variety of teaching styles and methods. We even utilize a couple of online virtual busineess games demonstrating how important it is to watch every aspect in a business, from staffing to merchandising to customer service.
Mrs. Zurek always encourages her students to participate in SkillsUSA. This state (and hopefully national) competition is another pathway to the development of professional and leadership skills. The business students, under the direction of Mrs. Zurek have done exceptionally well at Skills (See related articles on this website!)
As usual, I always try to point out what our teachers like best and what is their pet pieve. For Mrs. Zurek, she most enjoys seeing her students get excited and ready to learn their coursework. I'm sure I play a big role in this as who wouldn't be happy to see me when I walk in the door (ha ha). The one thing Mrs. Zurek can't stand is to see her students have a lack of initiative and motivation. No matter in what facet of the business world we wind up - a lack of initiative and motivation is enough to cut any career short - a dead-end, if you will - instead of a crossroad.
