In this day and age, we are being told to hold on to our monetary resources as much as possible. Don’t leave your jobs, don’t make any crazy purchases, and don’t spend any money whatsoever. It’s an odd thing, considering the insane buyer’s market we find ourselves in! So, do we take out that $200,000 dollar loan and buy a house because that house could potentially triple in value over the next 10 years? It is a considerable gamble, isn’t it? Making a huge investment, and not knowing for sure that it will pay off for you. The housing market is so fickle. It bends and breaks, then gets rebuilt again. Who knows what can happen. Will it get even worse before it gets better? Who knows! It’s possible your $200,000 dollar investment does pay off big time, and it’s also possible you buy the house and watch the value plummet even further. We can never say for sure. It is indeed a very dangerous and risky game. Does that mean you don’t play it?
To answer that question, I will pose another question: Since it is very possible you could end up broken hearted, do you take the risk of falling in love? There are many factors to consider, right? What if she cheats? What if she leaves me for another man? What if she is a serial killer who only kills serial killers? What if it just doesn’t work out and you end up a broken mess? It can turn out very badly for you! So, is it worth the risk? YES! When it’s bad, it’s bad...but when it’s right and it is real, it is the greatest thing humanly possible. Just about anything in this world that is worth having will require a risk. It has to be worth fighting for in order to be worth having. The same can be said of a house.
Don’t get me wrong, I’m not telling you to be irresponsible and purchase a home when you know your job isn’t stable. Just as with love, be responsible and be sure you are making the right choice. Don’t marry someone you can’t stand, or that you know isn’t right for you! Be responsible with your investments, whether it be love, a car, a boat, or a house. Make sure your investment pays off as well. If you buy a boat, use it! If you buy a house, take care of it, and update it so that the value will remain high.
What does any of this have to do with student loans? Well, I think you may have already guessed. Let’s go over a few things before I really delve into it. In this age, it is extremely rare to find a student who doesn’t need student loans. I’m not talking about your private college and university students either. I’m talking about your average FIU or FSU student! Consider that every year, FIU’s tuition goes up. Also consider that the family income level for Pell Grant recipients is not based on a state per state or a family per family basis. It’s a general figure for all states. So, if it’s $15,000 per household member, and you live in New York City, chances are you won’t get much in the way of federal grants. The days of fully covered college are all but gone. Next year, my wife will not qualify for Pell Grants because we make too much for our two person household. That means she will have to finish her last semester at FIU with a student loan. She also had to take out loans at Miami Dade College when she was an out of state student. Many factors will impact your aid, and your needs for student loans.
All that being said, let’s get right down to dispelling the old time notion that student loans are evil. At this point, they are a necessary evil for most students. Obviously, if you don’t need them, you shouldn’t take them. That would go against the whole “be responsible” thing I mentioned earlier. If you can afford to fund your college education through grants and scholarships, then that is great for you, and you should take advantage of that. If you don’t qualify for grants, or scholarships, does that mean you should forget about college and just try to get by for the rest of your life with bottom of the barrel jobs? By no means! If there is one risk, one investment you absolutely have to pursue in our world today, it’s that of a college education. Believe me, without it you will not reach your maximum potential in life. It will be very difficult to make a career for yourself. Forget about a job. A job is a place you go to get paid. Most people hate their “jobs”. You need to find a career; a position and a field that gets you excited and will allow you to wake up in the morning and be happy about what you are going to be doing for the next 8-9 hours.
Again, I have to stress the whole responsibility thing here. Be wise, and very careful as you select a major. Unless you are 100% planning on attending graduate school, find a major and a career field that you will not only enjoy, but that will provide you with opportunities and monetary success. No one wants to shell out $30,000 in student debt to be making $8.50 per hour. Pick the right career for you! Do some research, be informed, be prepared to work hard, and try as hard as possible to be certain you are entering the right field.
Finally, back to the subject of the loan….Student loans are not the same as auto, or home loans. If you fail to pay your home loan, they take the house away from you. The same is true of an auto loan, a motorcycle, or a boat. It’s not the same with a student loan. Why? Well, with a student loan, the bank can’t get anything in return for it. If you don’t pay that home loan, and they take it away from you, they can just sell it to someone else and at least recover some of the value. It’s not so with a student loan. They can’t take your Bachelor’s degree away from you and sell it to the highest bidder. You earned it, that title and degree belongs to you, regardless of who financed it. For this reason, lenders are very flexible and willing to work with you on payment schedules and deferment. Of course, you have to have good reason to have your loans deferred, such as loss of employment, low income, or continued education. They work with you, because it’s better to get paid less over a longer period, then to get nothing at all. You really have to work hard and avoid every possible avenue of communication in order to fall into default!
If getting student loans is the make or break decision for you in regards to a college education, take that risk, make that investment! Without a college education, chances are you will be stuck in dead end situation after dead end situation! Don’t limit yourself and your potential! As John Connor once said, “The future's not set. There's no fate but what we make for ourselves.”
Thursday, August 26, 2010
Tuesday, August 24, 2010
Accouting: A Smart Choice?
Heck yes it is!
Employment of accountants and auditors is expected to grow faster than average for all occupations through the year 2014. An increase in the number of businesses, changing financial laws and regulations, and increased scrutiny of company finances will drive growth. In addition to openings resulting from growth, the need to replace accountants and auditors who retire or transfer to other occupations will produce numerous job openings in this large occupation.
As the economy grows, the number of business establishments will increase, requiring more accountants and auditors to set up books, prepare taxes, and provide management advice. As these businesses grow, the volume and complexity of information developed by accountants and auditors regarding costs, expenditures, and taxes will increase as well. An increased need for accountants and auditors will arise from changes in legislation related to taxes, financial reporting standards, business investments, mergers, and other financial events. The growth of international business also has led to more demand for accounting expertise and services related to international trade and accounting rules, as well as to international mergers and acquisitions. These trends should create more jobs for accountants and auditors.
As a result of accounting scandals at several large corporate companies, Congress passed legislation in an effort to curb corporate accounting fraud. This legislation requires public companies to maintain well-functioning internal controls to ensure the accuracy and reliability of their financial reporting. It also holds the company’s chief executive personally responsible for falsely reporting financial information.
These changes should lead to increased scrutiny of company finances and accounting procedures and should create opportunities for accountants and auditors, particularly CPAs, to audit financial records more thoroughly. In order to ensure that finances comply with the law before public accountants conduct audits, management accountants and internal auditors increasingly will be needed to discover and eliminate fraud. Also, in an effort to make government agencies more efficient and accountable, demand for government accountants should increase.
Increased awareness of financial crimes such as embezzlement, bribery, and securities fraud will increase the demand for forensic accountants, to detect illegal financial activity by individuals, companies, and organized crime rings. Computer technology has made these crimes easier to commit, and they are on the rise. At the same time, the development of new computer software and electronic surveillance technology has made tracking down financial criminals easier, thus increasing the ease with which, and likelihood that, forensic accountants will discover their crimes. As success rates of investigations grow, demand also will grow for forensic accountants.
The changing role of accountants and auditors also will spur job growth, although this growth will be limited as a result of financial scandals. In response to demand, some accountants were offering more financial management and consulting services as they assumed a greater advisory role and developed more sophisticated accounting systems. Because Federal legislation now prohibits accountants from providing nontraditional services to clients whose books they audit, opportunities for accountants to offer such services could be limited. However, accountants will still be able to advise on other financial matters for clients that are not publicly traded companies and for nonaudit clients, but growth in these areas will be slower than in the past. Also, due to the increasing popularity of tax preparation firms and computer software, accountants will shift away from tax preparation. As computer programs continue to simplify some accounting-related tasks, clerical staff will increasingly handle many routine calculations.
Overall, job opportunities for accountants and auditors should be favorable. After most States instituted the 150-hour rule for CPAs, enrollment in accounting programs declined; however, enrollment is slowly beginning to grow again as more students become attracted to the profession because of the attention from the accounting scandals. Those who earn a CPA should have excellent job prospects. However, many accounting graduates are instead pursuing other certifications, such as the CMA and CIA, so job prospects may not be as favorable in management accounting and internal auditing as in public accounting. Regardless of specialty, accountants and auditors who have earned professional recognition through certification or licensure should have the best job prospects. Applicants with a master’s degree in accounting, or a master’s degree in business administration with a concentration in accounting, also will have an advantage. In the aftermath of the accounting scandals, professional certification is even more important in order to ensure that accountants’ credentials and ethics are sound.
Proficiency in accounting and auditing computer software, or expertise in specialized areas such as international business, specific industries, or current legislation, may be helpful in landing certain accounting and auditing jobs. In addition, employers increasingly are seeking applicants with strong interpersonal and communication skills. Because many accountants work on teams with others from different backgrounds, they must be able to communicate accounting and financial information clearly and concisely. Regardless of one’s qualifications, however, competition will remain keen for the most prestigious jobs in major accounting and business firms.
Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor, Occupational Outlook Handbook
Employment of accountants and auditors is expected to grow faster than average for all occupations through the year 2014. An increase in the number of businesses, changing financial laws and regulations, and increased scrutiny of company finances will drive growth. In addition to openings resulting from growth, the need to replace accountants and auditors who retire or transfer to other occupations will produce numerous job openings in this large occupation.
As the economy grows, the number of business establishments will increase, requiring more accountants and auditors to set up books, prepare taxes, and provide management advice. As these businesses grow, the volume and complexity of information developed by accountants and auditors regarding costs, expenditures, and taxes will increase as well. An increased need for accountants and auditors will arise from changes in legislation related to taxes, financial reporting standards, business investments, mergers, and other financial events. The growth of international business also has led to more demand for accounting expertise and services related to international trade and accounting rules, as well as to international mergers and acquisitions. These trends should create more jobs for accountants and auditors.
As a result of accounting scandals at several large corporate companies, Congress passed legislation in an effort to curb corporate accounting fraud. This legislation requires public companies to maintain well-functioning internal controls to ensure the accuracy and reliability of their financial reporting. It also holds the company’s chief executive personally responsible for falsely reporting financial information.
These changes should lead to increased scrutiny of company finances and accounting procedures and should create opportunities for accountants and auditors, particularly CPAs, to audit financial records more thoroughly. In order to ensure that finances comply with the law before public accountants conduct audits, management accountants and internal auditors increasingly will be needed to discover and eliminate fraud. Also, in an effort to make government agencies more efficient and accountable, demand for government accountants should increase.
Increased awareness of financial crimes such as embezzlement, bribery, and securities fraud will increase the demand for forensic accountants, to detect illegal financial activity by individuals, companies, and organized crime rings. Computer technology has made these crimes easier to commit, and they are on the rise. At the same time, the development of new computer software and electronic surveillance technology has made tracking down financial criminals easier, thus increasing the ease with which, and likelihood that, forensic accountants will discover their crimes. As success rates of investigations grow, demand also will grow for forensic accountants.
The changing role of accountants and auditors also will spur job growth, although this growth will be limited as a result of financial scandals. In response to demand, some accountants were offering more financial management and consulting services as they assumed a greater advisory role and developed more sophisticated accounting systems. Because Federal legislation now prohibits accountants from providing nontraditional services to clients whose books they audit, opportunities for accountants to offer such services could be limited. However, accountants will still be able to advise on other financial matters for clients that are not publicly traded companies and for nonaudit clients, but growth in these areas will be slower than in the past. Also, due to the increasing popularity of tax preparation firms and computer software, accountants will shift away from tax preparation. As computer programs continue to simplify some accounting-related tasks, clerical staff will increasingly handle many routine calculations.
Overall, job opportunities for accountants and auditors should be favorable. After most States instituted the 150-hour rule for CPAs, enrollment in accounting programs declined; however, enrollment is slowly beginning to grow again as more students become attracted to the profession because of the attention from the accounting scandals. Those who earn a CPA should have excellent job prospects. However, many accounting graduates are instead pursuing other certifications, such as the CMA and CIA, so job prospects may not be as favorable in management accounting and internal auditing as in public accounting. Regardless of specialty, accountants and auditors who have earned professional recognition through certification or licensure should have the best job prospects. Applicants with a master’s degree in accounting, or a master’s degree in business administration with a concentration in accounting, also will have an advantage. In the aftermath of the accounting scandals, professional certification is even more important in order to ensure that accountants’ credentials and ethics are sound.
Proficiency in accounting and auditing computer software, or expertise in specialized areas such as international business, specific industries, or current legislation, may be helpful in landing certain accounting and auditing jobs. In addition, employers increasingly are seeking applicants with strong interpersonal and communication skills. Because many accountants work on teams with others from different backgrounds, they must be able to communicate accounting and financial information clearly and concisely. Regardless of one’s qualifications, however, competition will remain keen for the most prestigious jobs in major accounting and business firms.
Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor, Occupational Outlook Handbook
Madden 11 Results!
Hello all!
So as you may or may not know, I had been heavily promoting the Madden Tournament hosted by CBT, Game On, and 790 the Ticket! The event was this past Friday evening, and let me tell you, it was insane. So, to fully explain the insanity, I obviously have to give you some back story on it. Here we go...
A great event usually takes anywhere between three months to two years (weddings) to plan. What are some of the essentials? Well, there is the main attraction, structure, the itinerary, the goal, the food, "what if" scenarios, guest lists, the motivation for attending, amenities, sponsors, and the marketing/promotions. So many things go into it!
How much time did I have to put together the whole event? About 5 weeks from the date the event was given the green light. Obviously, this left me with no time! Just getting sponsors alone is quite an ordeal. Most companies require that you give them between 2 and 6 months of notice to approve your event for sponsorship. This made it impossible to secure powerhouses such as Gatorade, Best Buy, Game Stop, Red Bull, or Champs Sports. SO what can you do at that point? Look for alternatives to the big companies. In the short time I was given, I secured Game On Videogames, Sports Grill, 790 the Ticket, Smoothie King, and AT&T! Quite the group of great companies! Game On and 790 the Ticket were especially wonderful companies to work with.
Even though we had 790 the Ticket on board and did some great radio and internet promotion through them, we only had their resources for a week! The reason for this is because 5 weeks was not enough time for radio spots to be secured and worked into the event. Therefore we did with what we had. Our previous event had 6 weeks of radio spots on various stations from Y100 to Mega 94.9. Instead, we threw out a few email blasts, direct mail drops, heavy street promotion, and even heavier social media promotion. It was a "grassroots" campaign. The social media marketing really did the trick for this one, yielding over 57% of the traffic for the event! This includes, Facebook, Twitter, this very blog, and some gaming forums (even some forums I was not on).
Next up: Food! With only a few weeks, I was given the green light to look for the caterer, and was rejected on several companies due the cost. So I was tasked to find an inexpensive caterer who could pull it all off. I contacted a company and was finally given confirmation to book them with 2 days remaining before the event. Not much time, right? Well, they ended up doing a decent job with the burgers and hot dogs, though they were placed in a bad location, where they were rained on. Not a very strategic placement, if you ask me. I digress, though. The point is that we booked a caterer that managed to cook all the food we needed, to the point that we had leftovers. That's the way it should be! You never want to be short on food. Always over prepare, because people always remember food at events. You should also never go cheap on your food. You can sacrifice in other areas....never food! That's event planning 101. The caterers didn't bring plates, and that was an issue for some, but I had asked them not to bring the plates because they (like ALL other caterers) charge extra for plates, cups, silver or plastic ware, and any other item they bring to the event. I simply purchased the plates at an affordable rate at a wholesaler. I guess the bottom line with catering is that if you want Texas De Brazil, you have to pay Texas De Brazil prices.
Alright, we covered sponsors, food, and radio promo. What else? The prizes were an XBOX 360 Slim and a copy of Madden 11 for the winner, a $75 gift card to Game On for the second place, and a gift card with a lap top bag for third place. Each gamer was given a "goodie bag" with coupons, marketing materials, and promotional information. We also raffled off Marlins tickets and Boomers gift cards that were donated by 790 the Ticket. For a free tournament, these were top notch prizes!!
So, the day of the event, there was a commercial being filmed in our gaming hall that didn't wrap up until about 45 minutes before the event, which left us way too pressed for time to set everything up. This is the kind of hiccup that is difficult to prepare for and just has to be worked around. I was not informed that a film crew would be using my gaming hall up until the last possible second, leaving me with no time time to set up. Therefore, we started about a half hour late, which always upsets me, considering how punctual I am. It was only a minor set back, and we adjusted and worked very quickly to set all the consoles and televisions up, as well as decorate and make sure everything was ready to go.
So, we fought the elements (rain, massively backed up traffic, and an impossible building to find) to bring in over 40 some odd gamers, and over 120 overall guests to our event! Everything went off without major issues. People had lots of fun, the event was impressive to most in attendance, and we crowned an ultimate Madden champion! So, for having less than a month and a half to put it all together, we brought in over 120 people, and impressed everyone who walked through our doors.
Lessons I learned from my first solo event:
1. Do NOT let anyone dictate where and how things will go down.
2. Be ready for bumps and hiccups.
3. Be assertive on what is needed, especially when it comes to food (lol)
4. Do NOT take "no" for an answer. Just readjust your strategy.
5. HAVE FUN!!!
So as you may or may not know, I had been heavily promoting the Madden Tournament hosted by CBT, Game On, and 790 the Ticket! The event was this past Friday evening, and let me tell you, it was insane. So, to fully explain the insanity, I obviously have to give you some back story on it. Here we go...
A great event usually takes anywhere between three months to two years (weddings) to plan. What are some of the essentials? Well, there is the main attraction, structure, the itinerary, the goal, the food, "what if" scenarios, guest lists, the motivation for attending, amenities, sponsors, and the marketing/promotions. So many things go into it!
How much time did I have to put together the whole event? About 5 weeks from the date the event was given the green light. Obviously, this left me with no time! Just getting sponsors alone is quite an ordeal. Most companies require that you give them between 2 and 6 months of notice to approve your event for sponsorship. This made it impossible to secure powerhouses such as Gatorade, Best Buy, Game Stop, Red Bull, or Champs Sports. SO what can you do at that point? Look for alternatives to the big companies. In the short time I was given, I secured Game On Videogames, Sports Grill, 790 the Ticket, Smoothie King, and AT&T! Quite the group of great companies! Game On and 790 the Ticket were especially wonderful companies to work with.
Even though we had 790 the Ticket on board and did some great radio and internet promotion through them, we only had their resources for a week! The reason for this is because 5 weeks was not enough time for radio spots to be secured and worked into the event. Therefore we did with what we had. Our previous event had 6 weeks of radio spots on various stations from Y100 to Mega 94.9. Instead, we threw out a few email blasts, direct mail drops, heavy street promotion, and even heavier social media promotion. It was a "grassroots" campaign. The social media marketing really did the trick for this one, yielding over 57% of the traffic for the event! This includes, Facebook, Twitter, this very blog, and some gaming forums (even some forums I was not on).
Next up: Food! With only a few weeks, I was given the green light to look for the caterer, and was rejected on several companies due the cost. So I was tasked to find an inexpensive caterer who could pull it all off. I contacted a company and was finally given confirmation to book them with 2 days remaining before the event. Not much time, right? Well, they ended up doing a decent job with the burgers and hot dogs, though they were placed in a bad location, where they were rained on. Not a very strategic placement, if you ask me. I digress, though. The point is that we booked a caterer that managed to cook all the food we needed, to the point that we had leftovers. That's the way it should be! You never want to be short on food. Always over prepare, because people always remember food at events. You should also never go cheap on your food. You can sacrifice in other areas....never food! That's event planning 101. The caterers didn't bring plates, and that was an issue for some, but I had asked them not to bring the plates because they (like ALL other caterers) charge extra for plates, cups, silver or plastic ware, and any other item they bring to the event. I simply purchased the plates at an affordable rate at a wholesaler. I guess the bottom line with catering is that if you want Texas De Brazil, you have to pay Texas De Brazil prices.
Alright, we covered sponsors, food, and radio promo. What else? The prizes were an XBOX 360 Slim and a copy of Madden 11 for the winner, a $75 gift card to Game On for the second place, and a gift card with a lap top bag for third place. Each gamer was given a "goodie bag" with coupons, marketing materials, and promotional information. We also raffled off Marlins tickets and Boomers gift cards that were donated by 790 the Ticket. For a free tournament, these were top notch prizes!!
So, the day of the event, there was a commercial being filmed in our gaming hall that didn't wrap up until about 45 minutes before the event, which left us way too pressed for time to set everything up. This is the kind of hiccup that is difficult to prepare for and just has to be worked around. I was not informed that a film crew would be using my gaming hall up until the last possible second, leaving me with no time time to set up. Therefore, we started about a half hour late, which always upsets me, considering how punctual I am. It was only a minor set back, and we adjusted and worked very quickly to set all the consoles and televisions up, as well as decorate and make sure everything was ready to go.
So, we fought the elements (rain, massively backed up traffic, and an impossible building to find) to bring in over 40 some odd gamers, and over 120 overall guests to our event! Everything went off without major issues. People had lots of fun, the event was impressive to most in attendance, and we crowned an ultimate Madden champion! So, for having less than a month and a half to put it all together, we brought in over 120 people, and impressed everyone who walked through our doors.
Lessons I learned from my first solo event:
1. Do NOT let anyone dictate where and how things will go down.
2. Be ready for bumps and hiccups.
3. Be assertive on what is needed, especially when it comes to food (lol)
4. Do NOT take "no" for an answer. Just readjust your strategy.
5. HAVE FUN!!!
Monday, August 16, 2010
Why Should We Stay "Linked In"....
So, there are quite a lot of Social Media websites out there. What's the big deal with social media, right? I mean, we all know that social media is only good for talking to your friends, posting crazy pictures from Space, and Nikki Beach, and adding famous people like Kim Kardashian and LeBron James. It also makes my iPhone look cool when I have all these awesome apps! That's all social media is supposed to be used for, right? WRONG! It's about time we throw that kind of thinking out the door. Here are some facts for you, friends....
Over 96% of millennials have joined a Social Network.
Facebook tops Google for weekly traffic in the U.S.
Social Media has overtaken porn as the top activity on the web.
1 out of 8 married couples in the U.S. met via Social Media
It took 38 years for the radio to reach 50 million users...
13 years for TV....
4 years for the internet...
3 years for the iPod....
Facebook added over 200 MILLION users in less than 1 year!
iPod app downloads of Facebook hit 1 BILLION in 9 MONTHS!!!!!
If Facebook were a country, it would be the 3rd largest...
I realize I haven't given you much in the way of reasons why social media is more than just a friend adding and crazy picture posting machine.... SO here goes...
80% of companies use social media for recruitment, almost all of it through LINKED IN!
That's right, more and more companies in the U.S. are shying away from Craigslist, CareerBuilder and Monster. Barely any companies are using staffing agencies. No, no, no my friends, the best jobs are found on Linked In. Why? Because social media gives a company all the tools to truly know a potential employee. Linked In allows you to create a fully interactive resume, with recommendations letters and all! It allows you to network with major companies and connect with others who may be the doorway to your career! Linked In is a social network for professionals to make the connections needed for success in this, the Application Age. Find people you have met through professional settings, create a network of your coworkers, employers, and fellow professionals in your field of expertise. For those who are still college students, or even those who have never held a job, this site allows you to make the connections necessary to set yourself up for the career you want once you graduate. Finding a job in this economic climate is no easy task. Even less easy....is finding the job you actually want. Chances are you won't find it on Craigslist, CareerBuilder, Monster. Why? When you apply for a job or submit your resume through any of those sites, you are just one of possibly 500 other people. Not so with Linked In. On Linked In, it may be you and 19 others who are submitting their resume. There is a much higher probability that your resume will get noticed if you are applying with 20 people, as opposed to 100, 300, or 500, right? So, do yourself a favor, and get a Linked In people!
Now, here's the kicker....
While Linked In could be very beneficial to you in terms of your professional career, your other social media profiles will play a role in this as well. If you are on Linked In, chances are you can also be found Tweeting, and updating your status on Facebook. In the world we live in, nothing is private anymore. You can try to keep your professional life and your social life separate, but the internet has made that difficult. Lying on a resume is nearly impossible today, because employers can simply research you on Google, You Tube, and social media sites. So, your Linked In may paint a picture of you that your Facebook pictures at Mardi Gras completely discredit. In other words: Your Linked In may be writing a check that your Facebook can't cash. And believe me when I tell you this: If they received your resume on Linked In, they WILL research you on Facebook, MySpace, and Twitter. A potential employer doesn't want to see pictures of you fist pumping in the club. Employers like quality employees who will not embarrass their company, and social media is an easy way to make sure who you are hiring. Everyone knows people are mostly putting on a facade at their interviews, but social media usually tells them all they need to know about your character....so just be very careful what you put on the internet. Just like a tattoo, think clearly about your decision to brand yourself a certain way. People are watching!
-Danny
www.cbt.edu
www.cbt.edu/facebook
Over 96% of millennials have joined a Social Network.
Facebook tops Google for weekly traffic in the U.S.
Social Media has overtaken porn as the top activity on the web.
1 out of 8 married couples in the U.S. met via Social Media
It took 38 years for the radio to reach 50 million users...
13 years for TV....
4 years for the internet...
3 years for the iPod....
Facebook added over 200 MILLION users in less than 1 year!
iPod app downloads of Facebook hit 1 BILLION in 9 MONTHS!!!!!
If Facebook were a country, it would be the 3rd largest...
I realize I haven't given you much in the way of reasons why social media is more than just a friend adding and crazy picture posting machine.... SO here goes...
80% of companies use social media for recruitment, almost all of it through LINKED IN!
That's right, more and more companies in the U.S. are shying away from Craigslist, CareerBuilder and Monster. Barely any companies are using staffing agencies. No, no, no my friends, the best jobs are found on Linked In. Why? Because social media gives a company all the tools to truly know a potential employee. Linked In allows you to create a fully interactive resume, with recommendations letters and all! It allows you to network with major companies and connect with others who may be the doorway to your career! Linked In is a social network for professionals to make the connections needed for success in this, the Application Age. Find people you have met through professional settings, create a network of your coworkers, employers, and fellow professionals in your field of expertise. For those who are still college students, or even those who have never held a job, this site allows you to make the connections necessary to set yourself up for the career you want once you graduate. Finding a job in this economic climate is no easy task. Even less easy....is finding the job you actually want. Chances are you won't find it on Craigslist, CareerBuilder, Monster. Why? When you apply for a job or submit your resume through any of those sites, you are just one of possibly 500 other people. Not so with Linked In. On Linked In, it may be you and 19 others who are submitting their resume. There is a much higher probability that your resume will get noticed if you are applying with 20 people, as opposed to 100, 300, or 500, right? So, do yourself a favor, and get a Linked In people!
Now, here's the kicker....
While Linked In could be very beneficial to you in terms of your professional career, your other social media profiles will play a role in this as well. If you are on Linked In, chances are you can also be found Tweeting, and updating your status on Facebook. In the world we live in, nothing is private anymore. You can try to keep your professional life and your social life separate, but the internet has made that difficult. Lying on a resume is nearly impossible today, because employers can simply research you on Google, You Tube, and social media sites. So, your Linked In may paint a picture of you that your Facebook pictures at Mardi Gras completely discredit. In other words: Your Linked In may be writing a check that your Facebook can't cash. And believe me when I tell you this: If they received your resume on Linked In, they WILL research you on Facebook, MySpace, and Twitter. A potential employer doesn't want to see pictures of you fist pumping in the club. Employers like quality employees who will not embarrass their company, and social media is an easy way to make sure who you are hiring. Everyone knows people are mostly putting on a facade at their interviews, but social media usually tells them all they need to know about your character....so just be very careful what you put on the internet. Just like a tattoo, think clearly about your decision to brand yourself a certain way. People are watching!
-Danny
www.cbt.edu
www.cbt.edu/facebook
Wednesday, August 11, 2010
Madden 11 Madness
So let's talk about this event.
As you all know, every year around the second week of August, EA Sports releases its most anticipated game: Madden NFL Football. This year is no different. On August 10th, Madden NFL 11 hit stores all over. Those of you who know me know that I am an avid sports fan, a dedicated gamer, and a loyal customer! Being that I am all those things, I buy Madden every year and find myself playing it until around February when the MLB: The Show baseball game is released.
As CBT College's Coordinator of Events, Online Activities, and New Media, I have been working very hard to make sure that CBT is not only a great place to educate yourself, but also a fun place that our students will enjoy attending. I know it sounds weird to say education and fun in the same sentence, but honestly they go hand in hand. Most, if not all people want to find a career that is not only lucrative, but fun. Why? Well, would you like to spend the next 40 or 60 years of your life doing something you don't enjoy? I didn't think so. Therefore, my job is to make sure our college is not only a top notch school in terms of education, but to make sure our students enjoy being here. CBT not only cares about their students, but wants to provide them with activities and amenities they won't find anywhere else! Events like LAN Bash, Halloween Havoc Carnival, or the Madden NFL 11 Football Madness Tournament are geared towards not only giving the community a taste of what CBT is all about, but also about showing our students how much we appreciate them.
That being said, let's talk about the Madden NFL 11 Football Madness Video Game Tournament!!!! Game On and CBT will be hosting the tournament on August 20, 2010 at
6PM. There will be free food, consisting of homemade burgers, hot dogs, Sports Grill wings, chips, smoothies, drinks, and other great things. There will be music, giveaways, prizes, t-shirts, and so many other goodies for our guests. The tournament itself is a 64 Player Single Elimination Tournament, and the Grand Prize Madness Champion will win an XBOX 360 Slim with a copy of Madden NFL 11! There will be prizes for the second and third place finalists. Best of all people...everything is FREE!!! Even if you are not a huge fan of Madden, football, or videogames, come down and enjoy some free food, some great music, get some gifts and giveaways, and meet some special guests. Yes, that's right, there will be special guests here on August 20th! I cannot reveal just yet who they are, but you will not be disappointed my friends! The event is being sponsored by Game On VideoGames, Sports Grill, AT&T, 790 the Ticket, Smoothie King, and Bawls Energy Drinks!
In order to enter the tournament, you have to register. Why should I register Danny? Well, like I said there are only 64 spots and they are going fast. Registering reserves you a spot, so you are guaranteed to play. If you don't register, you can't play. There are limited spots available already, so act quickly if you want to have a chance at winning a brand new XBOX 360 Slim with Madden 11.
So, I would say this event is going to be pretty huge! We are literally having everything you can think of at this event! Games, food, music, prizes, guests, and so much more... Like I said earlier, it's all free. Come and enjoy yourself, this event is going to be a blast.
The address is 8765 SW 165th Avenue
The event is August 20, 2010 at 6 PM
Madden NFL 11 on the XBOX 360
Grand Prize: XBOX 360 Slim with a copy of Madden NFL 11!!!
Madden NFL 11 Video Game, Review | Game Trailers & Videos | GameTrailers.com
Madden NFL 11 Video Game, Review | Game Trailers & Videos | GameTrailers.com
Game On and CBT will be hosting a Madden NFL 11 "Football
Madness Video Game Tournament"!!! The event is on August 20, 2010 at
6PM. There will be free food, music, giveaways, and the Grand Prize
winner will get an XBOX 360 SLIM with a copy of Madden NFL 11!!!! Best
of all, everything is FREE!!!! Just register at http://www.cbtlanparty....com/
...spots are filling up fast, so register now to save your spot for the
ultimate Madden Tournament!!! If you want more details, you can message
me or call at 786-693-8821. This event is going to be huge, and you do
NOT wanna miss it!
Game On and CBT will be hosting a Madden NFL 11 "Football
Madness Video Game Tournament"!!! The event is on August 20, 2010 at
6PM. There will be free food, music, giveaways, and the Grand Prize
winner will get an XBOX 360 SLIM with a copy of Madden NFL 11!!!! Best
of all, everything is FREE!!!! Just register at http://www.cbtlanparty....com/
...spots are filling up fast, so register now to save your spot for the
ultimate Madden Tournament!!! If you want more details, you can message
me or call at 786-693-8821. This event is going to be huge, and you do
NOT wanna miss it!
Monday, August 2, 2010
Madden NFL 11: My Final Impressions - PlayStation 3 Preview at IGN
Madden NFL 11: My Final Impressions - PlayStation 3 Preview at IGN
The release of Madden is a momentous occasion each and every year. Not just because it's the only NFL-branded game of pigskin available, but also because -- for many of us -- it signals the beginning of the NFL season. I've spent the last two weeks playing the finished review build of Madden NFL 11 and I can say that those looking for a great game of football needn't look any further once August 10th rolls around.
There's a lot to like in Madden NFL 11, especially if you skipped out on this year's NCAA Football game. The amount of gameplay changes is impressive and permeates just about every aspect of the game. From the new strategy pad that houses your hot routes, coverage audibles and other abilities to the new dual analog stick control that lets you pivot your player's upper body to glance off hits and gain extra yardage, there's a lot of nuances that weren't in Madden NFL 10.
I have no doubt that some gamers will complain about some of these changes (such as the aforementioned strategy pad, which requires an extra button press to change an assignment), but the bulk of these additions do a great job of adding extra layers of depth to the gameplay.
Madden Intro Video
Probably my favorite and most-used new feature is the improved blocking. It's great to be able to trust your pulling guard or surging fullback to lay the proper blocks when you expect them to do so. Talented defensive linemen are still going to be able to shed blocks every now and again, as they should, but all in all you're going to have a much easier time trusting your lead blockers than you have in the past.
Of course, according to EA Sports marketing, it isn't the blocking that should excite you. Instead, it's the new GameFlow playcalling feature. This enables the artificial intelligence (AI) to handle all of your playcalling on both sides of the ball. You can use a feature called Gameplanning to organize a set of plays that the AI will pull from, but at the end of the day GameFlow is going to be calling your plays unless you elect to go the full list of plays as you've done in past years.
Using GameFlow means that games essentially fly by. You can finish a game in 20 minutes where before it would've taken 40. I still found flaws in the default GameFlow settings as the AI routinely called long-bomb streak plays even when I was in the red zone, but all I had to do to fix it was organize my own playbook (and yes, you can have multiple playbooks) within the Gameplanning feature to remedy the situation.
The other big new addition is Online Team Play that's actually fun. This one I really love. I wrote a preview on it yesterday, so check that out for information and videos. Just know that it's great and works better than you could've imagined.
All that said, there are still moments of frustration that creep into Madden's design. First of all, ball physics could've been better. Watching the ball bounce around the field and on different parts of a player model looks very artificial. All too often the ball will get caught on a piece of a player's body and will bounce around unrealistically. Also, as I've experienced in just about every Madden game in history, defensive backs are pretty incompetent when it comes to making interceptions. I'm not saying that it doesn't happen (I've thrown plenty of picks myself), but there are certainly too many situations when one of my professional, NFL-quality defensive backs would have an interception right in his hands, only to have the ball drop to the ground. If I make a mistake in the passing game, I should be punished and the same goes for the CPU.
NFC Pro Bowl Offense Video
Another fact that's certainly going to enrage Madden diehards out there is that the Online Franchise, Offline Franchise, and Superstar modes are all untouched from last year's game. In fact, the Franchise Mode even had the NFL Network's weekly show and halftime presentation removed from this year's game (or at least I haven't been able to find how to turn them on). I understand that the main goal was to streamline the experience, but I think some will miss the presentation element.
Thankfully there are quite a few new presentation touches to talk about. Close-up shots of enthused crowd members are great to see and Gus Johnson brings a lot of excitement to the commentary, even if it technically is as fragmented as ever. I'd really like to see EA Sports develop some new technology to deliver commentary, as this has been a problem for some time. You still get enthused remarks coupled with subdued statements that just don't fit together properly.
I think those people concerned with a better gameplay experience above all else will be pleased with what Madden NFL 11 brings to the table. GameFlow coupled with all of the gameplay refinements that NCAA Football enjoyed make this year's title a real treat to play, but if you want a bunch of added features to Online or Offline Franchise mode, you're going to be sorely disappointed.
Keep an eye out for our review on IGN.com as we inch closer to Madden NFL 11's August 10th release date on Xbox 360, PlayStation 3, Wii, PlayStation 2, PSP and iPhone.
The release of Madden is a momentous occasion each and every year. Not just because it's the only NFL-branded game of pigskin available, but also because -- for many of us -- it signals the beginning of the NFL season. I've spent the last two weeks playing the finished review build of Madden NFL 11 and I can say that those looking for a great game of football needn't look any further once August 10th rolls around.
There's a lot to like in Madden NFL 11, especially if you skipped out on this year's NCAA Football game. The amount of gameplay changes is impressive and permeates just about every aspect of the game. From the new strategy pad that houses your hot routes, coverage audibles and other abilities to the new dual analog stick control that lets you pivot your player's upper body to glance off hits and gain extra yardage, there's a lot of nuances that weren't in Madden NFL 10.
I have no doubt that some gamers will complain about some of these changes (such as the aforementioned strategy pad, which requires an extra button press to change an assignment), but the bulk of these additions do a great job of adding extra layers of depth to the gameplay.
Madden Intro Video
Probably my favorite and most-used new feature is the improved blocking. It's great to be able to trust your pulling guard or surging fullback to lay the proper blocks when you expect them to do so. Talented defensive linemen are still going to be able to shed blocks every now and again, as they should, but all in all you're going to have a much easier time trusting your lead blockers than you have in the past.
Of course, according to EA Sports marketing, it isn't the blocking that should excite you. Instead, it's the new GameFlow playcalling feature. This enables the artificial intelligence (AI) to handle all of your playcalling on both sides of the ball. You can use a feature called Gameplanning to organize a set of plays that the AI will pull from, but at the end of the day GameFlow is going to be calling your plays unless you elect to go the full list of plays as you've done in past years.
Using GameFlow means that games essentially fly by. You can finish a game in 20 minutes where before it would've taken 40. I still found flaws in the default GameFlow settings as the AI routinely called long-bomb streak plays even when I was in the red zone, but all I had to do to fix it was organize my own playbook (and yes, you can have multiple playbooks) within the Gameplanning feature to remedy the situation.
The other big new addition is Online Team Play that's actually fun. This one I really love. I wrote a preview on it yesterday, so check that out for information and videos. Just know that it's great and works better than you could've imagined.
All that said, there are still moments of frustration that creep into Madden's design. First of all, ball physics could've been better. Watching the ball bounce around the field and on different parts of a player model looks very artificial. All too often the ball will get caught on a piece of a player's body and will bounce around unrealistically. Also, as I've experienced in just about every Madden game in history, defensive backs are pretty incompetent when it comes to making interceptions. I'm not saying that it doesn't happen (I've thrown plenty of picks myself), but there are certainly too many situations when one of my professional, NFL-quality defensive backs would have an interception right in his hands, only to have the ball drop to the ground. If I make a mistake in the passing game, I should be punished and the same goes for the CPU.
NFC Pro Bowl Offense Video
Another fact that's certainly going to enrage Madden diehards out there is that the Online Franchise, Offline Franchise, and Superstar modes are all untouched from last year's game. In fact, the Franchise Mode even had the NFL Network's weekly show and halftime presentation removed from this year's game (or at least I haven't been able to find how to turn them on). I understand that the main goal was to streamline the experience, but I think some will miss the presentation element.
Thankfully there are quite a few new presentation touches to talk about. Close-up shots of enthused crowd members are great to see and Gus Johnson brings a lot of excitement to the commentary, even if it technically is as fragmented as ever. I'd really like to see EA Sports develop some new technology to deliver commentary, as this has been a problem for some time. You still get enthused remarks coupled with subdued statements that just don't fit together properly.
I think those people concerned with a better gameplay experience above all else will be pleased with what Madden NFL 11 brings to the table. GameFlow coupled with all of the gameplay refinements that NCAA Football enjoyed make this year's title a real treat to play, but if you want a bunch of added features to Online or Offline Franchise mode, you're going to be sorely disappointed.
Keep an eye out for our review on IGN.com as we inch closer to Madden NFL 11's August 10th release date on Xbox 360, PlayStation 3, Wii, PlayStation 2, PSP and iPhone.
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