The Intern Suite

You’ve Envisioned Your Dream Home, Now find the Most Affordable City

By Kelli Bennett, Editorial Intern

When small-talk about home owning and mortgage payments find its way into conversations, many seem to shy away from the subject, ignoring the approaching reality that one day several of us will have to make that crucial decision.  The home buying/owning decision will affect our future families for generations to come.  CNNMoney provides expert insight on the top 10 most affordable cities to buying a new home.  Some of the cities may surprise you, but it’s never too early to start your research.

 

1.   Indianapolis, IN

•  Median home price: $102,000
• Median income: $66,900
• Affordability score: 95.8%

Before clicking on the article’s link, I never thought Indianapolis; my hometown would be on the list of most affordable U.S. cities for home buying —let alone the first.  After reading the small explanation blurb, I mentally pictured the major transformation that Indianapolis has made in my short lifetime.  Just this past February I was astonished by the unfathomable festivities and displays that decorated the streets of downtown Indianapolis for Super Bowl XLVI.  CNN Money also pointed out Indy’s affordability relying greatly on the increase in the city’s tourism industry and the vast amount of land available for housing development. 

 

2.  Dayton, Ohio

• Median home price: $81,000
• Median income: $63,300
• Affordability score: 93.7%

 

3.  Lakeland, Florida 

• Median home price: $85,000
• Median income: $54,500
• Affordability score: 93.2%

 

4.  Modesto, California

• Median home price: $127,000
• Median income: $62,000
• Affordability score: 92.5%

 

5.  Grand Rapids, Michigan

• Median home price: $100,000
• Median income: $60,300
• Affordability score: 91.2%

 

6.  Buffalo, NY

• Median home price: $94,000
• Median income: $66,100
• Affordability score: 91.2%

 

7.  Ogden, Utah

• Median home price: $166,000
• Median income: $71,500
• Affordability score: 91.1%

 

8.  Syracuse, NY

• Median home price: $106,000
• Median income: $66,600
• Affordability score: 90.6%

9.  Akron, Ohio

• Median home price: $96,000
• Median income: $66,500
• Affordability score: 90.6%

10.   Cincinnati

• Median home price: $110,000
• Median income: $71,300
• Affordability score: 90.2%

Though the reasons for affordable housing varies, some include a vast area for growth, an improvement in employment rate, shrinking population and various cities being home to large universities or booming business headquarters. 

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. 

Peer-to-Peer Lending

This post is a part of our Monetization of Academia informative web series, and is available online only. 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

As recent as 2008, an alternate way to fund the rising costs of tuition. Peer-to-peer lending, sometimes referred to as social lending, is aimed toward student loans. These sites allow students to borrow money from lenders that meet certain requirements. These programs eliminate the middle man and are designed to be more personal than a federal government  loan. Although students are encouraged to consider federal loans first, peer-to-peer lending offers relatively reasonable rates anywhere from 6% to 15% or higher.

There are three prominent organizations dominating this arena. They are: People Capital, GreenNote and TuitionU.

People Capital allows students to set up a profile that details the amount of money needed and which type of loan a student would like to take out. Potential borrowers then specify a maximum interest rate that they are willing to pay. In an auction style process, lenders negotiate what interest rate below the maximum they are willing to offer. Students select the loan at which rate they are willing to pay.

All loan choices require that a student pays on the interest monthly or a minimum of $50 while still in school. A credit check is required for People Capital loans. However factors such as a student’s major, GPA, standardized test scores and college are factored into the Human Capital Score which is basically an in-depth risk assessment. Lenders vary from banks, charitable organizations, individuals with a minimum $1 million net worth, or individuals with a salary of $200,000 or greater for the two previous years.

GreenNote and TuitionU are two very similar programs. Both require users to subscribe to a membership. They use social networking sites to aid members in educational fundraising efforts. The sites allowusers to access funds through their own contacts. Users are encouraged to begin with friends, family, friends of family, friends of friends and community leaders. The largest difference that exists between the two is that GreenNote requires that members set up a PayPal account so that funds can be directly accessed. Existing PayPal accounts can be used but if users do not have one, they will be prompted to create one during GreenNote registration.

 

What's Your Education Worth? Weigh in Here!

This post is a part of our Monetization of Academia informative web series, and is available online only. 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 Courtney Boyd, Editorial Intern

In this month's article "The Monetization of Academia," writer Jacqueline Holness introduces to prospective (and current) college students the idea of entering human capital contracts to fund their education. With human capital contracts, companies and investor groups sponsor a student's education in exchange for a percentage of his/her income for a fixed period of time after graduation. Would you sign away a percentage of your post-graduation income for a degree?  

 

Online Surveys & Market Research

How Corporate-Sponsored Academia can Really Pay

This post is a part of our Monetization of Academia informative web series, and is available online only. 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 Courtney Boyd, Editorial Intern
 
For decades, drug companies, car companies and other manufacturers have lent financial support to universities. Usually, the money is used to fund research which, more often than not, finds favorable results for the providing company. Recently, however, companies have sidestepped the middle men-research laboratories-and handed the figurative check directly to researchers, or university students.

In March, The Wall Street Journal reported that big-name businesses Levi Straus & Co., Mattel Inc. and Sprint Nextel Corp. “are sponsoring college classes and graduate-level research to get help with their online marketing from the young and hyperconnected.”

Sprint, in particular, stands out with its sponsorship of a social media class at Boston’s Emerson College. In exchange for free social networking, online marketing and search engine optimization, Sprint supplied 10 smartphones with unlimited wireless access to the class. Good deal, right?

However, students are not only given an escape from the run-of-the-mill, you-lecture-and-I-listen-style academic course, they are able to gain real work experience in the endeavor. They develop a real, working knowledge of how certain theoretic principles yield tangible results. By building a social media campaign and incorporating nearly every platform available, they added valuable skills to their résumés.

As corporate sponsorships expand to include academia (as well as athletics), students are in the front running for reaping benefits.

Student Journalist Lands Internship in Istanbul

By Courtney Boyd

On May 14, 10 students from three Georgia colleges and Carnegia Mellon University arrived in Istanbul, Turkey, to begin their 10-day, summer study-abroad program. Seizing the opportunity to travel to and learn in one of Europe's most enriching tourist cities, I'm sure none of them imagined the short trip would become a permanent stay. One student-Jessica Diaz-however, seized an even bigger opportunity and became an intern at Coca-Cola Turkey.

The study-abroad trip was part of a program designed by Georgia State University's Department of Communications and its J. Mack Robinson business college's Center for International Business Education and Research (GSU-CIBER), in collaboration with CNN and the GlobalAtlanta news service, to provide aspiring journalists with real-world experience in both domestic and foreign media and communications.

                                                         {GSU-CIBER group poses before departure}
 
Before departing to Turkey, the students partook in two weeks of classes on reporting in an international context in CIBER's "Media, Journalism and Business in a Global World" course. They toured CNN Atlanta, met with members from Atlanta's business community, were lectured on the Turkish government and culture and reviewed case studies.

While abroad, the talented ten lived in Istanbul's Taksim Square, touring historic attractions and enjoying many Turkish delights. They participated in roundtable talks with notable business officials, visited several sites including the Coco-Cola, Co., and CNN Turk (to name a couple), and joined in local protests.

 
{GSU-CIBER students visit Turkish TV station}

Jessica Diaz, the lucky GSU student offered an internship with Cola-Cola, returned to Istanbul in late June. Follow her journey through Turkey as a Coke intern at her blog, Jessica In Turkey. 

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.

Wealth Gaps Widen Between Races

By Courtney Boyd

An analysis of new Census data shows that wealth gaps between older Whites and younger minorities are at their widest  levels since national recording began in 1984.  Associated Press writer Hope Yen calls the analysis "direct government evidence" of growing racial disparities in employment and wealth accumulation in our country. It reminds us that -when the economy descends-minority groups are most likely to take the hardest falls.

  

According to the Census report, Whites, on average, have 20 times more networth than Blacks and 18 times that of Hispanics.

Click here to read the full article and learn why this data is valuable in determining the need for housing assistance and safety net programs which currently face budget cuts in the current debt crisis.

 

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.