Living the Dream - Georgia's Own Credit Union · 2015-01-30 · DOYOUIX.COM JULY/AUGUST/SEPTEMBER 20121 JULY // AUGUST // SEPTEMBER 2012 Ne[x]t Magazine is published by Georgia’s

1DOYOUIX.COM JULY/AUGUST/SEPTEMBER 2012

JULY // AUGUST // SEPTEMBER 2012

Ne[x]t Magazine is published by Georgia’s Own Credit Union for members of i[x]

Inside:Major on Majors

i[give] - Susan G. Komen

The i[x] Calendar

KasimReedLivingthe Dreami[x] interviews entrepreneur and

Mayor of Atlanta, Kasim Reed.

PAGE 7

2 DOYOUIX.COM JULY/AUGUST/SEPTEMBER 2012

IN THIS ISSUEJULY // AUGUST // SEPTEMBER 2012

the word, with willan update from our editor, will.i.x.

major on majorsland a job when you get out of college

kasim reed: living the dreami[x] interviews the 59th mayor of atlanta

i(give) - susan g. komenget involved with a great event

the calendarthree months, nine events, tons of fun

connect with i(x)we’d love it if you’d like us

3

4

7

11

11

12

pg 4unsure of which major to choose? let i[x] help you decide.


[FROM THE EDITOR]

Feature Article

NAME: Kasim Reed

HOMETOWN: Atlanta, GA

AGE: 43 Years Old

COLLEGE: Howard University

HOBBIES: Reading and spending time with family

The Word, with WillSchool’s been out for over a month and summer is in full swing. Hopefully by now you’ve had a chance to vacation and relax and completely forget about school. Unfortunately, just about the time you’ve gotten into your summer routine, it ends and it’s time for you to head back to school. Don’t fret however, your school years will be some of the times you remember most fondly.

If you’re heading off to college in the fall or just looking for a potential major for when you head to college, this issue ofNe[x]t Magazine is for you. In our article “Major on Majors” on page four, we look at different enjoyable, yet practical majors for you to pursue. There are plenty of options out there, but the majors discussed are some of the most valuable degrees according to Forbes.

Also in this issue, we speak with the current Mayor of Atlanta, Kasim Reed. On page seven Mayor Reed tells us why he wanted to enter the political field and how he made his way to becoming Mayor of Atlanta. He also shares with us how he started two businesses as a teenager that ultimately helped him pay for college. If you’re anything like me, you are always looking for something fun to do. We are debuting a new feature called “The Calendar” this issue with some fun events you can check out. Between the 4th of July, Dragon*Con and Music Midtown we are looking at a busy few months in Atlanta.

Finally, our i[give] feature is the Georgia’s Own Credit Union Susan G. Komen 3-Day Walk for a Cure team. The team has been and continues to raise money for their 60 mile walk in Atlanta on October 19-21. Be sure to check out page eleven where you’ll find ways you can donate and volunteer to help find a cure to end breast cancer.

Enjoy!

FEEDBACK.Thanks to those of you who have sent in your comments and questions. We always want to hear back from our readers! Let us know what you think. Send your comments and questions to [email protected] and we’ll try to post it online or in our next issue.

CONNECT.Have you connected with i[x]? Be sure to check us out on Twitter (@doyouix) and Facebook (facebook.com/ixgeorgia). We are constantly posting tips and letting our community know about contests and giveaways. We also want you to be a part of the conversation, so let us know what you are thinking.


Prior to sinking tens of thousands of dollars and years of academic work into any field of study, it’s worth at least having an idea of what to expect on the other side of graduation. The safest bet currently is what is known as the STEM majors: science, technology, engineering, and mathematics. Of the Forbes top 15 most valuable majors, five were in the field of engineering (biomedical, software, environmental, civil, and petroleum), five were in math and science (biochemistry, applied mathematics, mathematics, statistics, and physics), and one was in technology (computer science). Additional STEM majors included in the 20 best paying college degrees of 2011 according to CBS News were chemical, electric, and aerospace engineering, as well as nuclear, mechanical, and software engineering. However, the CBS News list also included some non-STEM majors, such as economics (humanities) and finance (business).

While the STEM majors generally lead to the highest salaries, there are plenty of other fields that are growing rapidly and yielding many entry-level positions. According to Careers and Colleges.com, education, communications, and the arts are all areas where recent graduates can expect expanding opportunities. Education wise, with the ever growing population and the seemingly ever declining quality in school systems, the demand for competent teachers at all levels should only continue to increase. Communications graduates will also likely be sought after as more companies continue to require more interactive content targeted at enhancing the experiences of their customers and employees. The arts will similarly be utilized by corporations, whether it be graphic designs of logos or music tracks for commercials. If art majors can get past the stigma of “selling-out,” they will probably find themselves with an array of opportunities for work.

The National Association of Colleges and Employers currently ranks accounting as the field with the most immediate job offers for college grads, and with an average starting salary of $44,000, it’s one of the more initially lucrative opportunities as well. Two slightly less but still highly viable positions listed were management trainee and sales representative. Conversely, there are arguments to be made for the less heralded majors. Catherine Rampell of The New York Times argues that the humanities, while not highly touted for their practicality at the moment, may prove

Major on Majors

With the national gross of student loan debt breaching the trillion dollar mark and interest on certain types of college loans set to double in rate this summer, it has become more important than ever to find a major that is both enjoyable and practical.


to be quite valuable in the near future. As more jobs based in mathematics and sciences are replaced by highly advanced computer

programs or outsourced to countries with cheaper professionals (i.e. India), jobs requiring social interaction may become higher in demand. Additionally, there’s nothing preventing students from acquiring more than one major. As many colleges

require many prerequisites to be taken over the first year of study

anyway, students can take their time deciding what subjects interest them sentimentally and which subjects interest them as a means to a career. If there is no overlap, it is still possible to acquire two degrees in four years, or one degree with multiple minors. The key is to take advantage of the maximum academic workload allowed per semester. This may lead to a more intense schedule, but hopefully also to a more rewarding educational experience with promising career prospects following graduation.

For those opposed to a four year, high intensity schedule but are still interested in a substantial payday after obtaining a degree, there are many surprisingly lucrative positions available for an associates degree. Medical records specialists, health information technicians, all types of medical assistants (dental, physician, and therapy), and registered nurses are all vocations experiencing rapid expansion

according to Careers and Colleges.com. In addition to the healthcare field, the early childhood and special education professions are beginning to utilize more and more paraprofessionals as the population continues to increase and the demand for more adequate and qualified employees continues to rise.

It should be noted, however, that the college experience is not an exact science that can be broken down into an equation yielding consistent, guaranteed results. Excelling in any major will demonstrate to any competent employer that a student is capable of critical thinking, meeting deadlines, and responding to instruction - skills useful in any profession. Many graduate school programs simply require a bachelor’s degree and an adequate score on a standardized exam. The major itself is largely irrelevant. The most important thing a college student can do when deciding on a major is to understand what is expected of him or her throughout the coursework’s rigor, and what he or she can realistically expect opportunity-wise after receiving a diploma. Academic advisors are on universities’ payroll largely to help students deal with these types of decisions, and are an excellent resource for information and council.

“Education, communications, and the arts are all areas where recent graduates can expect expanding opportunities.”

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DOYOUIX.COM JULY/AUGUST/SEPTEMBER 2012 7

Living the DreamKasim Reed

Kasim Reed understands leadership. After growing

up in Atlanta, he attended Westlake High School

and later, Howard University. By the age of 18 he

had already started two businesses and amazingly,

he was just getting started. He earned a law

degree and then pursued a career in public service,

serving in the Georgia State House and Senate.

In 2009, Mr. Reed became Mayor Reed after being

elected as the 59th mayor of Atlanta.

“Growing up in Atlanta, the spiritual

birthplace of the Civil Rights Movement,

I was surrounded by forceful and

influential African-American politicians

who made it possible for me to imagine

becoming Mayor.”

[FEATURE ARTICLE]


i[x] Were you involved in any programs or associations in high school or college that lead you into politics? KR I learned a great deal about leadership as an undergraduate member of Howard University’s Board of Trustees and I created a fundraising program that has contributed more than $10 million to the school’s endowment since its inception. I was appointed as Howard University’s youngest General Trustee in June 2002, and remain a member of the Board. i[x] Why did you decide to enter politics? KR I decided I wanted to be Mayor of the City of Atlanta when I was 13 years old. When I was growing up, my father often discussed politics at the dinner table. He admired Thurgood Marshall and told me how influential he was in helping Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. achieve his dreams through legal action. Those stories inspired me so much that I wrote a book report about Justice Marshall and decided I wanted to be a lawyer and have a career in public service.

i[x] Why did you want to become Mayor of Atlanta? KR Growing up in Atlanta, the spiritual birthplace of the Civil Rights Movement, I was surrounded by forceful and influential African-American politicians who made it possible for me to imagine becoming Mayor. I first met my mentor, Ambassador Andrew Young, who is also a former Mayor of Atlanta, as a teenager. We crossed paths again while I was a student trustee at Howard University serving on the board alongside him. During that time, he encouraged me to pursue this goal. Two decades later, Ambassador Young endorsed my candidacy and was with me at my inauguration. i[x] As you know, i[x] promotes financial literacy to youth throughout the state of Georgia. Can you tell us why you think it is important for today’s youth to practice smart money management?

KR In order to achieve long-term financial success, our young people have to understand the importance of preparation and investment as well as the simple practice of saving a dollar. When I was about nine or ten years old, I started a business: Kasim’s Lawn Care Service. I canvassed my southwest Atlanta neighborhood with my very own business cards. Soon, I stopped mowing lawns myself and delegated the work by hiring older friends in the neighborhood. In turn, that allowed more time to cultivate new customers and subsequently, earn more money. If you practice smart money management as a youth, chances are you will carry those habits with you into adulthood. Another powerful lesson in money management that our children should understand is how crucial living within your means and staying within your budget can be for long-term gains. This is a lesson that we must all master as people live longer and healthier lives.

i[x] What is your biggest hope for the youth of Atlanta? KR We all have a fundamental obligation to make sure future generations do better than we do. I work hard every single day so that our youth have the resources they need for continued success. I also want a young public-school boy or girl who is 13 years old right now to acquire the skills necessary to possibly become Mayor by the time he or she is 40, as I did. I want every child in this city to have the fundamental skills needed to pursue his or her chosen career path. The long-term vitality of this city is tied to the success of young people.

i[x] What is the most challenging part of your job? KR Being Mayor is a privilege; however, it comes with huge responsibility. I work on about 12-15 different major projects every day that have an enormous impact on the residents of Atlanta.

i[x] What is the most rewarding part? KR I wake up every morning and feel like it is Christmas Day. I love my job. It is far more rewarding than I ever imagined. It’s not an easy job, but working each day to

Living the DreamKasim Reed


make a positive difference in the lives of our residents and business owners is enormously satisfying.

i[x] What makes Atlanta such a great city to reside?

KR That’s easy. I always say that Atlanta’s greatest strength is its people.

i[x] i[x] not only promotes financial literacy, but also an entrepreneurial spirit. You mentioned your lawn care business previously, but I also noticed you started a jewelry business at the age of 16. Can you tell our readers a little about what it took to start this business at such a young age and the obstacles you had to overcome to make it a successful business?

KR With starting and running any business, you run into obstacles that you must overcome. However, I learned at an early age that in order to be successful, you must work very hard and make sacrifices. I tell young people that they have the advantage of youthful energy and vigor and that they should work hard now because they will never have the same kind of physical capacity they have right now again.

I actually paid for a substantial portion of my education at Howard University with the profits from that 14-karat-gold

jewelry business. While in college, I also sold Howard-themed boxer shorts and arranged the delivery of student possessions for off-site storage over the summer.

i[x] Another important piece of the i[x] program is giving back to the local community. Are there any charities or organizations you are involved with and why do you think it’s important to give back to the local community?

KR While at Howard University, I persuaded fellow students to approve a surcharge of $15 per semester to boost Howard’s endowment and decrease its reliance on federal funds. I believed that students were too comfortable with taking, and we weren’t accustomed to giving back. Throughout the years, money from the “Independence Fund” helped renovate a reading lounge, buy new equipment for the fitness center, and provide $1,000 debit cards to students who came to Howard from schools in Louisiana after Hurricane Katrina. This fund now holds more than $10 million. I continue to support higher education, especially at Howard University.

i[x] Did you participate in sports or extracurricular activities in high school?

KR I played football, basketball and golf.

i[x] Favorite Atlanta pro sports team? KR It’s a tie among the Falcons, Hawks and Braves.

i[x] What do you enjoy doing in your spare time? KR I enjoy reading, cleaning my house, and spending time with my family and friends.

i[x] Top 3 artists on your iPod?

KR Michael Jackson, Jay-Z and Journey.

“In order to achieve long-term success, our young people have

to understand the importance of preparation and investment

as well as the simple practice of saving a dollar.” Living the Dream

[FEATURE ARTICLE]

Scholarships$College InternshipsNetwork OOOOOOOOOOOOO O O OO JA FO OFO

JA Fellows

TAKEHOLD OF YOURFUTURE.

To learn more about JA Fellows and how you can apply visit, www.georgia.ja.org

How far you go in life is totally up to you. The only catch is you have to have the skills to get there. That’s where Junior Achievement comes in. Apply to be a JA Fellow to gain real-world business experience as well as the conndence and competence to take your life wherever you want it to go.

THIS IS WHERE IT STARTS.


This quarter, i[x]ga and Georgia’s Own Credit Union are proud to participate in the Susan G. Komen 3-Day Walk for a Cure in Atlanta on October 19-21. Thousands of women and men will come together for this event, each raising money for Susan G. Komen for a Cure, and will walk 60 miles over the course of three days to show their commitment to ending breast cancer. The walk is a three day journey of love, new friendships and tributes to people who have been affected with breast cancer. After walking 20 miles each day, walkers will sleep in tents before getting up to begin the next leg of the walk. The walk will begin with an opening ceremony on October 19th and will culminate with a closing ceremony at Turner Field on October 21st. To date, 16 Georgia’s Own employees are participating in the walk and are looking for help in raising the required minimum of $2,300 per person.

Looking for something fun to do this summer & fall? The team at i[x] has you covered. Here are nine awesome events that range all over Georgia. So if you find yourself bored, get outside and enjoy one of these awesome events.

HOW TO GET INVOLVED:

Pink Rubber Ducks – Tellers at each Georgia’s Own branch will have pink rubber ducks available for a donation of $5.

Golf Tournament July 30th – Georgia’s Own walkers will be holding a golf tournament at Eagles Landing Country Club. Cost is $125 per golfer. Hole sponsors are $100 per hole. Contact [email protected] for information or to sign up you or your team.

Support the Walkers – Come out to cheer on the walkers while they make the trek to Turner Field. The open and closing ceremonies are free and open to the public.To find out more information about the 3-Day walk, visit the website at www.the3day.org.

Susan G. Komen3-Day Walk for a Cure

The i[x] Calendar

[GIVE BACK]

JULY4th of July FireworksLenox Square MallJuly 4

National Black Arts FestivalCentennial Olympic ParkJuly 13-22

2012 Rock Climbing ChampionshipAtlanta Rocks!July 14

AUGUSTJekyll Island Beach FestivalJekyll Island, GAAugust 16-18

99X Unplugged in the ParkPark Tavern - Atlanta GAAugust 5, 12, 19, 26

Falcons vs. BengalsGeorgia Dome, AtlantaAugust 16, 2012

SEPTEMBERDragon*ConAtlanta, GASeptember 1-3

Music MidtownPiedmont ParkSeptember 21-22

The Atlanta Chili Cook-OffStone Mountain ParkSeptember 29

i[give]


Documents

Living the Dream - Georgia's Own Credit Union · 2015-01-30 · DOYOUIX.COM JULY/AUGUST/SEPTEMBER 20121 JULY // AUGUST // SEPTEMBER 2012 Ne[x]t Magazine is published by Georgia’s