The Intern Suite

Ready for the Meeting? No Plan. No Way.

 

 

Don’t allow summer’s warm and enticing weather to make you forget the reason you’re enrolled in college or in the midsts of celebrating graduation.  As Atlanta Tribune: The Magazine presents it’s Get Down To Business Conference, today May  24th, I think it’s imperative that we brush up on our business meeting and conference etiquette and preparation. 

Preparing for a Business Meeting

• Set a goal and an agenda for the meeting.  Prepare a schedule if there will be multiple speakers or presenters.
• Send out time and location details to all participants.  Email conference call-in numbers and codes if you are arranging a phone meeting.
• Prepare for any needed equipment. Know how to hook your laptop up to the projector so that you don't have to waste valuable meeting time dealing with technical details.
• Take your presentation for a test drive before you do it in front of clients. Make sure your sales or investment pitch is professional, concise and interesting. Endless charts projected on a screen don't make for compelling meetings. Understand your audience, how you can meet their needs and what goals you want to reach.
• Remind participants 24 hours ahead, or on the morning of, the actual meeting. Aim to start the meeting promptly at the given time.

Provided by Amanda C. Kooser, Demand Media

Preparing for a Business Conference

In order to fully immersive yourself in a business conference, small business consultant  offers six key points of advice. (Via shetakesontheworld.com)

• Preplan your Day-Most conferences require a full day of your time.  It is important to look and feel your best; wear appropriate and professional attire and comfortable shoes.

• Pick your Sessions-If the conference agenda is available in advance, take time to map out a strategy to select sessions that are most beneficial to improve your skills.  At each session, actively participate by asking questions and taking notes.  Spend a few minutes after the presentation to introduce yourself to the presenter.

• Practice your Pitch-You will meet a lot of people and have the opportunity of introducing yourself and business.  Make sure your message is clear and concise.  Fine tune your elevator pitch to make the most of your meeting.   

• Prepare to Network-This is a great opportunity to network with people.  The key is to meet new business contacts.

• Bring Plenty of Marketing Material

• Follow Up-Within the next week, make sure you follow up with e-mails, phone calls or a simple letter.  The key is to connect with potential people that can be beneficial to your company.

Implementing your professionalism and following these skills will guarantee auspicious business encounters in the future. 

Eat (and Drink) to Beat the Heat

By Courtney Boyd, Editorial Intern

This summer has been one of the hottest in history, and many Atlantans seek shelter from the sweltering heat index. The recent deaths of two Georgia high school football players have taught us this: not only are extreme temperatures uncomfortable, they are unsafe, too. Because going out is a necessity for most, avoiding the heat altogether is impossible. But, a few healthy eating practices can turn a potentially fatal temperature into a more favorable forecast. Try these tips to beat the heat!

1. Kick the caffeine and alcohol. A cup of coffee is okay, but consuming large amounts of caffeine can lead to dehydration. Caffeine is found in a number of foods and drinks, including teas and chocolate. Be mindful of how much you intake each day, especially when you're exposed to heat for long time periods, to avoid a caffeine overdose. Likewise, alcohol intake should be monitored to prevent dehydration. Alcohol is a diuretic and blocks the release of ADH, a hormone needed for water reabsorption.

2. Fill up with fresh fruits and veggies. While frozen treats are a fun way to cool down, they are best enjoyed in moderation. (Your body’s physiological response to a freezing cold belly is to crank up the heat, which can actually make your body temperature rise. Source here.) Instead, try potassium-rich foods like bananas, oranges, tomatoes and squash and watermelon to replenish electrolytes and rehydrate your body.

3. Drink lots of water. Water is the best source of hydration for our internal organs, hair and skin. As a general rule, divide your weight in half and drink that number in ounces of water to stay healthy and remain hydrated. Because I weigh 110 lbs., I should drink at least 55 ounces of water each day. Due to sweating and other functions that deplete supply, I drink an additional glass to balance output. When exercising in heat, be sure to replenish often - about every 15 minutes - to avoid dehydration.

Now that you've read my tips for healthy eating and drinking in the heat, look out for our annual health and wellness issue in October!

Good Debt vs. Bad Debt

This post is a part of our Monetization of Academia informative web series, and is available online only. In this article, intern Jhanay Davis shares her side of the debt debate, explaining the difference between what financial counselors call "good" debt and "bad" debt. To read the full article "The Monetization of Academia" as it appears in this month's issue, visit Atlanta Tribune online for sales and subscription information.

By Jhanay Davis, Editorial Intern

When I think of debt, even the word scares me. It sounds too close to dead, which translates into the death of a credit score that I don’t yet have. I’m not afraid to admit it; I was afraid of getting loans!  Then I was afraid that if I didn’t get a loan, I would be an adult without credit and that seemed like something I probably would want to have. I was at a crossroad. Fortunately, I figured out soon enough that a loan wouldn’t be so bad. It would help me to make an investment in my education while simultaneously building my credit. This sounded like a pretty good deal to me.

  It sounded like a pretty good deal because it was. Although I am purposely putting myself into debt, I have acquired what is known as good debt. Good debt was explained to me as debt that will eventually make me money. My student loan is the determining factor between my high school diploma and my bachelor’s degree. I have been told by countless teachers that college graduates make more money than high school graduates. Therefore, I can expect to have a salary that will allow me to repay my debts after college and live comfortably.

Like all things, this good debt could potentially turn into bad debt very quickly. I have been told that when applying for loans, it is wise to limit the total of monies borrowed by what your projected first year’s salary will be. Basically, if I can't expect to make $30,000 right out of college, my student loan debt should not exceed $30,000.

Many students make the mistake of over-borrowing in college to live lavishly. I’ve seen countless people take out loans to pay for off campus apartments, new cars or a new wardrobe. This is the catalyst for good debt becoming bad debt. As stated before, good debt is debt that can make you money. An apartment, new car and new clothes cannot make you any money. These things should not be funded with loan money – EVER! College is a temporary setting and it is important to know that things only get better after college if you are smart during your collegiate experience. That lavish lifestyle can come after your education is out the way but it will be temporary also if you can’t repay your debt. Uncle Sam and Sallie Mae give borrowers six months but after that, they will be present with their hands out. 

Good debt does exist and can be beneficial to borrowers. It is important to be wise about your finances so that mistakes don’t cost so much in the long run.

"A" is for Academia: Our Annual Scholarship, Internship and Fellowship Guide

By Courtney Boyd, Editorial Intern

Two years ago, President Obama said in a speech that the best economic policy is one that produces college graduates who are skilled in, well, success. In 2009 he launched a program, the American Graduation Initiative, with the goal of increasing community college graduation numbers by 5 million in 10 years. In his State of the Union address this year, President Obama declared the U.S. as a mecca for students seeking post-secondary degrees, "where more students come to study than any other place on Earth." Yet sentences later he stated that America is "ninth in the proportion of young people with a degree."

Critics of Obama's initiative argued that the problem is not one of quantity but rather of quality, and that, in his speech, the president failed to acknowledge the college debt crisis. In its series "Price of Admission," CNBC says college costs are rising at twice the rate of inflation, reporting the average student debt at $24,000. Jennifer Ogunsola, a media relations manager for Mayor Kasim Reed, has written President Obama every day since January 1, asking for some sort of relief from her overbearing amount of school-related debt. She tells The Sevan Blog, "I don't want him to [pay off my loans]. I just need some help. I feel like I'm being punished for going to college." Her sentiment is one that thousands of others echo. The unfortunate reality is that tuition can be as costly as a mortgage, and while education and home ownership are core American values, attainment of either is-for many-just a dream.

Because Atlanta Tribune recognizes both the need for education and its costliness, we have provided a means for minority students to earn college degrees practically cost-free. Throughout the month our interns will update the suite with comprehensive coverage about the monetization of academia as part of our total package for the August issue. Pick up a copy or subscribe online, and check out our intern sagas for the latest posts! Remember, in the business of academia, we want our readers to remain number one.

Five of the Biggest Resume Myths

 

Lilia Stokes, Editorial Intern

A resume is a marketing tool in which the content should be adapted to suit each individual job application. Although resumes have many functions, typically resumes contain relevant job experience and information in regards to the applicants’ educational background.  

However, even though resumes have been around for years, it is still not clear what may or may not be acceptable when a possible future employer takes a glance at your resume. Luckily US News and World Report put many of those misconceptions to rest with one of their latest articles.

1. It has to all fit on one page. I have always been taught that a resume should typically not exceed a page. However if your resume does exceed a page consider using keywords, in case the employer uses an applicant- tracking system. By exceeding the one page mark, you give yourself the opportunity to use more important keywords that pertain to the job in which you are applying, which can be beneficial.  

2. You need an objective statement. Objective statements are typically written to give a personal touch to a resume. However, the problem that stems from that is objectives are not typically rewritten for each resume. This statement can appear vague and insincere to a company. The report continued and believes that job seekers should consider using a professional summary where it gives the person recruiting you a quick summary of what you can bring to the job you are applying for specifically.

3. You should have to include all of your past experience. If the information does not correlate to the specific job you are applying to specifically, you may want to consider condensing your resume for the particular position you are applying for. By using this technique you are still being truthful, but consider omitting certain information if it has no correlation to the job you are applying for.

4. Once you send it, you’re off the hook until you hear back. Because of the current state of the economy the job market continues to be more competitive than ever. Therefore after you send a resume, do not call or follow up with an email. Many employers have LinkedIn, and Twitter accounts. Use this as a way to get in contact with employees of the company you wish to work with. It is especially important to try and find a way to get in contact with the hiring manager outside of calling, or emailing them. Find out some information about them, and once you find out something you two have in common spark a conversation with them. This technique is a great way to get in with the future company you desire to work with.

5. It has to look interesting to catch the hiring manager’s eye. It is beneficial to always include any information that you feel will give you the best chance in being considered for a job opportunity. However, it is also smart to de- clutter your resume as well. Put yourself in the hiring manager’s shoes. Can you imagine how many resumes they receive on a daily basis? Therefore it is important to remember to make your resume easy to read. Have what you have done professionally and who you have done it with front and center. This tactic is a beneficial way to ensure your resume does not get passed over.

If you are unemployed and still waiting on a phone call from a job you have applied for, now is your chance to look at your current resume and make some revisions. By making these revisions and following up with employers in a more tactful way, I am sure the chances of you receiving the job you want will increase.

How does LivingSocial Make a Living?

 

 
Lilia Stokes Editorial Intern

We have all seen or heard one of those catchy “LivingSocial” commercials. LivingSocial is one of the fastest growing companies and specializes in the e-commerce space and specializes in localized “daily deals” in over twelve countries.

When you use LivingSocial each day, the website sends you a “Daily Deal” that corresponds to your zip code. It is free for users to become a member, and once you sign up you can instantly receive up to 90 percent off vacation get-always, restaurants, personal trainers and more.

The deal almost sounds too good to get be true. Once I familiarized myself with the company, I thought to myself, “If this company is giving me a discount on these deals, and they purchase the deal full price, how does LivingSocial make a profit?” 

Immediately I began to research in hopes of discovering what happens when LivingSocial offers users a discount on an Amazon gift certificate? They may ask that you pay $15 for a certificate worth $30.

My first theory is LivingSocial buys these deals from different companies and discounts it to users of their site because this is a way for the company to possibly experience exponential growth. For instance, when LivingSocial offers a deal with a retailer like Amazon, LivingSocial gets to advertise their site using Amazon’s site. Amazon is the world’s largest online retailer. When LivingSocial pays full price for these deals, and offer it to their customers at a discounted price they must consider the expenditure as a marketing expense. I believe they consider it as a marketing expense because LivingSocial benefits by advertising on a popular site such as Amazon. 

My second theory is both sites must benefit from the discounted deals simultaneously. An example is LivingSocial gets major advertising perks on a site like Amazon. On the other hand Amazon gains the advantage to profit from assured spending from customers who purchase the deal. At this point the role of viral marketing comes into play. Using this technique allows businesses the opportunity to market techniques by using pre- existing social networks to produce increases in brand awareness. Using the viral marketing technique no money is spent on advertisement, because it is 100% viral marketing. Therefore both companies get to continue expanding their empires and spare an expense when it comes to advertising.

The approach LivingSocial and other companies like it have taken to become profitable may seem complex, but right now LivingSocial is experiencing major exponential  growth and expanding its empire each day using this tactic.

Is College the Best Financial Move for Your Pockets?

 

 
By: Lilia Stokes Editorial Intern

The economy is slowly getting back to a better financial state; however it has not been an expedient process. With unemployment claims stuck above 400,000, it makes many skeptical that the economy will get out of this slump anytime soon.

Not only is the economy not gaining jobs, many have opted to go to school because the job market is not at its peak. The idea seems to be a good plan, until you re-consider the rising cost of receiving a higher education.

Within the last 20 years, the price of college has sky-rocketed. The price has jumped a staggering 130 percent. This percentage is eye-catching because in 1988, the average tuition and fees to attend a four- year institution was a mere $2,800. In 2008 that number climbed to about $6,500 a year.

This almost seems unethical, if tuition has climbed to bethis costly , one would assume the median income would have exponentially increased to cover the exceeding cost of attending a four- year institution.

The median income should be about $77,000 a year to be able to cover the cost of attending a four- year institution, with today’s cost. The median income now is nowhere near that figure. The median income for Americans in 2012 is $33,000 annually.

These costs make many parents feel uneasy. Many have opted to send their children to two-year institutions instead of sending them to a costly four-year one.

Students, who still have the vision of attending their “Dream Schools,” simply have to become more resourceful. It is important to begin looking for scholarships before their senior year of high school. While many scholarships may not cover the full financial load, it is always financially helpful to have one or a couple of scholarships to help cushion the cost.

Stay tuned, the interns and I are diligently researching for this year’s August issue, which will feature testimonies on how to hunt for scholarships, internships and fellowships.

 

 

Etiquette Tips for the Young Business Professional in Training

By Jhanay Davis, Editorial Intern

I used to pride myself on “knowing how to act.” My grandparents, who raised me and my sisters, never tolerated any kind of unruly behavior. Both were from Alabama and worked hard to establish themselves as working professionals in Atlanta. With my grandparents, I attended many social events -- dining with Atlanta’s most affluent and influential healthcare professionals and Georgia Power employees. During my teenage years, I stayed active with things like being a debutante which taught me many life lessons.

It wasn’t until I began my undergraduate studies at Bennett College for Women that I realized I really didn’t know “how to act.” The upper class women in my major (journalism and media studies) always talked about being professional when meeting people. I had no idea what that meant because I felt that I had never been taught. My ignorance turned into fear and insecurity. I was afraid that when I met someone professional, I would choke. Because of that fear, I tried to avoid those types of encounters but they’re inevitable on the path to success, especially in journalism.

So here’s some of what I picked up so far:

•Language: It is essential to be comfortable speaking because it is one of the primitive forms of communication. Adapt your speech to your environment in order to be understood. Diction with friends should differ from what is said among colleagues and superiors. All words should be enunciated and verbs should always agree with nouns. Also, avoid double negatives at all costs. Practice makes permanent, so integrating these factors into your everyday speech will yield great results. Also, be selective of language when sending professional e-mails and socializing using social media.

•Personality: No one ever wants to be a bore. Let’s face it; no one wants to be around a bore either. Personality is what makes every individual unique, so don’t be afraid to show  it. Be careful: Do not get too comfortable with your colleagues. If it’s something that you would never do or say around your mom or a priest, avoid it in the work place.

•Appearance: Fashion sense is an extension of personality. What someone decides to wear shows a lot about what kind of person he/she is. In corporate America, vibrant colors are often frowned upon. However, I believe they can be acceptable. Black, gray, and blue are always going to be appropriate but patterns and light colors could also fit into that arena. Many garments are suitable work attire as long as they are tasteful and never revealing.

•Networking: Once again, don’t be afraid to let your personality shine through when meeting and connecting with new people. It is necessary to be as professional, upbeat, and memorable as possible. Young business professionals (i.e. interns) should always be dressed to impress, make eye contact and have a firm handshake.

•Dining: This is part of the professional life that I have yet to experience much of but I hope it’s in my near future. Past experiences have prompted me on a few things though: never put your elbows on the table or speak with food in your mouth. Other things depend on the occasion, such as what to order, when to stand, etc. Fortunately, I’ve found that following the lead of others at the table can be beneficial when in doubt.

These tips, as am I, are a work in progress. I hope  they will help another hopeful by laying a foundation to proper decorum in, out, and around the office.

 
 

Interning 101: Three Easy Tips for Maximizing Your Opportunities

By Courtney Boyd

In last year’s corporate internship and scholarship guide, former Atlanta Tribune intern Chela Counts wrote, “For high school and college students nationwide, internships serve as the optimal gateway into the next chapter of life.” Her fresh perspective offers insight on what many businessmen and women would consider the “new entry level.” Yes, internships are a great way to earn professional experience even before earning a degree. Ideally, finding a position (and performing well in that position) may lead you to an actual job. Using last year’s guide can expedite the search. Once you land a part, however, you may feel overwhelmed in your new work environment. Don’t fret. As a current intern, I’m here to help.

Here are three simple ways you can maximize the benefits of an internship.

1. Network. It’s a good idea to get acquainted with everyone in the office (or whatever setting) as soon as possible. Speak often, smile and build solid relationships with those around you. It never hurts to have someone (rooting) in your corner. Remember, success is oftentimes equal parts what you know and who you know. You may need a recommendation one day and, if your boss is rarely at the office, his/her secretary or the next-level supervisor may be willing to write one for you.

2. Over study. Come to work each day having learned something new and with a ready-to-learn attitude. Become familiar with as many work-related topics as you can outside of the actual work environment. Knowing an extra thing or two could set you apart from other interns in your department.

3. Under-study. (See that little play on words?) Find a mentor or someone who is willing to show you the ropes. In this way, you can observe and -- lucky you! -- learn things that build character as well as tangible experience. An older, more experienced voice can steer you in another lane on the road to success.

Good luck!