There are many skills that help a person in their career, but are not commonly taught in many of today's schools. Some seem outmoded in the modern world of computers and the Internet, such as shorthand. Shorthand used to be a staple of most clerical workers for note taking and transcribing, but today, mini-tape recorders, laptops, and voice-recognition software have replaced it. However, there is another skill that many people do not have, and it could still be very useful in business. That is the skill of using a 10-key calculator by touch. Every computer keyboard has a 10-key calculator attached to it, and in business, use of the 10-key is common every day. Accountants use them often, and most people in the accounting profession know 10-key by touch. However, it seems this would be an important skill for just about anyone in business to have. If you scan classified and online ads for employment, many have the phrase "10-key by touch" as one of the qualifications for employment. Ten-key by touch is nothing more than being able to operate a 10-key calculator without looking at the numbers. Just as you use certain fingers to type on a computer keyboard, you use certain fingers to enter data into a calculator quickly and efficiently. Ten-key by touch is a small thing, but learning this skill can save you time, energy, and give an increased sense of accomplishment and certainty.
             Think about the last time you balanced your checkbook, averaged your expenses for the month, or figured out a players ERA average. You used a calculator. Chances are you use a calculator all the time at home, and at the office, too. If you know how to use that calculator more quickly and efficiently, with fewer inputting errors, it could save time and give more accurate results. Learning 10-key by touch skills can give that time and save costly data entry errors. Some schools do offer 10-key courses for accounting students, and others offer them ...