Economic Growth Expectations: 2011

As tomorrow moves forward, the month of December illuminates the New Year: 2011. Not only is 2011 vivaciously approaching, as economic forecasts are abundantly wielding in the air like snowflakes. In the midst of local and global financial crises, what are the forecasts for the trenches of 2011? Where do your personal and economic expectations lie upon the 2011 scale of business spending, GDP, the trade deficit, interest rates, energy, inflation, housing, unemployment and retail sales?

According to Kiplinger, the 2011 forecasts are unveiled respectively and relative to the 2010 findings (http://www.kiplinger.com/businessresource/economic_outlook/).

• Business growth is set to increase steadily to approximately 9% in 2011, which is half of the growth in 2010,


• GDP is expected to hold solid from the 2010 year at 2.8% growth and remain consistent in 2011,


• Interest rates are at a stellar 3.25% prime rate and are expected to continue through 2011,


• Energy is trading at an estimated decreased $80's/bbl and also into 2011,


• Inflation is deemed to increase at approximately 0.5% from 2010 to 1.5% in 2011,


• Housing sales are within the treacherous field as 2010 with slow growth into 2011,


• Unemployment is expected to minutely decrease from 9.5% in 2010, and


• Retail is sustaining the field with optimism for 2011.

Generation Y is inexplicably moving forward steadily from the train station of 2010 into the 2011 year with determination and insights upon distinguishing pivotal movements from 2010 to 2011. The economic significance of 2010, impacted Generation Y in several areas of their personal, financial, and educational livelihoods. To sustain and flourish as a Generation from the trenches of 2010, we must bring forth our savviness, education, business experience, and profound motivation to succeed.

The Integration of Moral Fiber

The memory of Graduation Day from the M.B.A. Program fades slowly as the long Fall days move through like a shutter camera. It vividly slips away, but is captured with favorite songs, moments of celebration, intense business debates, stressful deadlines, and an intense battle of the mind. From the absolutely trying years of balancing graduate school and work, an area of sincere interest lay restless in the forefront: Moral Fiber.

In the scope of the business world, we have not only heard the true meaning of Moral Fiber, but experienced it as an ever-lasting term, testing our true ethics and moral gauge. According to urbandictionary.com Moral Fiber is described as strength of character and firmness. The epitome of Moral Fiber is situated not only in the workplace and social networks, but in our culture. We are constantly faced with decisions which affect not only our diverse paths of success, but those integrated in our social circles, businesses, and culture.

The real world application of Moral Fiber evolutionarily changed the business sector and riveted the turbulent economic climate. The M.B.A. Program charged forward with an inherent and overwhelming understanding, that Generation Y coupled with the current state of affairs will dynamically change the business spectrum. Additionally, business decisions wield daughnting ramifications and should be defined with caution, statistical adherence, and true measure.

Moral Fiber is the mere transformation of our inner values, encompassing the real world significance of business decisions. It is not only derived through the decision makers, but the eyes of those in our sphere of influence. Graduate school provided the concrete underlayment to engage in thorough decisions, while integrating business knowledge and maintaining an integrity based core: Moral Fiber.

M.B.A. Personality Characteristics: SPQ

Are you pondering whether or not you are inexplicably an M.B.A. candidate or possess synonomous characteristics of an M.B.A.? An M.B.A. predictably illustrates personality attributes toward the desire of an advanced education.

There is a measurement for M.B.A.'s, which is referred to as Student Personality Quotient (SPQ). According to Business Week (businessweek.com), SPQ is measured upon numerous factors, which include how well you interact with B-school cohorts, overall B-school involvement, career aspirations, and lifestyle outside of B-school. Business Week provides evidence, that SPQ is an influential element upon career movement and success (businessweek.com/bschools/content/aug2006/bs20060810_9957.htm).

As an M.B.A., I absolutely had to take the exam to determine if I exemplify the characteristics of an M.B.A., according to the SPQ measurement. Please find the SPQ results directly below.

Ms. or Mr. MBA (31-40)

Annoyance Level: Low

You fit in well at B-school and know how to balance your work and personal life. You are often the unsung hero of your group projects because you know how to get the best out of your classmates, many of whom are your true friends. B-school is a chance for you to lay the foundation for a career which will make you happy. Even though you had to make many sacrifices to go back to school, you would not have it any other way.

Tolerating those who are less laid back and confident can be a challenge for Ms. or Mr. MBA. But you just have to keep in mind diverse personalities contribute to creating the right class chemistry.

There is always room for improvement even if you are well liked and getting the most out of your B-school experience. You might consider reaching out to a wallflower in your class or a first year student in need of a mentor. Helping others, after all, will turn Ms. or Mr. MBA from average to above average.

(http://images.businessweek.com/ss06/08personality_quiz/index_01.htm)

After reviewing the results of the SPQ, I feel it is an accurate broad personality identification.

While attending the M.B.A. program, it was undoubtedly a challenging experience. I learned how to successfully juggle a full-time work schedule, attend evening classes, and find personal time. Over the past four (4) years, I sacrificed in every aspect of my daily life to complete B-school. The University of Wisconsin-Whitewater offered the opportunity to work with scores individuals, a melting pot of personalities, and cultural backgrounds. I am grateful for the M.B.A. experience, to have worked with individuals who displayed deeply rooted passion for business, learning, and success!

Pack Your Bags: Top 10 U.S. Cities (Employment, Housing, and Compensation)

Are you a recent Generation Y graduate residing in a bustling metropolis? Have you considered relocating to establish a career and embark upon new beginnings?

Which U.S. cities are most conducive for Generation Y graduates? According to CNBC (http://www.cnbc.com/), the top-10 U.S. cities were evaluated upon three (3) factors: employment opportunity, cost of living, and average salary.

10.) Los Angeles, California
9.) Baltimore, Maryland
8.) Cincinnati, Ohio
7.) New York, New York
6.) Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
5.) Boston, Massachusetts
4.) Dallas, Texas
3.) Denver, Colorado
2.) Phoenix, Arizona
1.) Atlanta, Georgia

As a member of Generation Y, recent M.B.A. graduate, experienced business professional, and Midwesterner, it is essential to consistently seek resources for overall growth and opportunity. Honestly, I was astounded and filled with joy to view a Midwestern city as a fierce competitor. Dynamically, local and national shifts in the economic climate, sustainable employment, and housing sector drastically affected and shook Midwestern viability to the core. However, as expected, the coastal regions are continually represented via California, Maryland, and Massachusetts.

Generation Y is directly in the cross-fire of the dynamically changing environment. We are not the creators of the challenging marketplace; we are merely rising to the challenge of becoming the change! In order to survive and essentially become successful, integration of our generational resilience, education, and overall experience are absolutely necessary.

Ethical Behavior and Standards of Practice: "The M.B.A. Oath"

Oaths are significantly more than a written code, by which professionals are responsible for abiding. Oaths are moral binding fiber which encapsulates business associates, consumers, industries, products, society, and stakeholders: the core of ethics and professionalism.

In 2008, Data Sources uncovered that a mere 8.8% of the United States population 25 years and older posesses a Masters Degree, 1.5% wield a Professional Degree, and astoundingly 1.3% hold Doctoral Degrees (Data Sources: Graduate Degree Attainment of the U.S. Population).

Creation of the M.B.A Oath:
In 2009, several Harvard Business School students created "The M.B.A. Oath" (http://www.mbaoath.org/). The birth of "The M.B.A. Oath" is attributed to the persistence and perseverance of business students. "The M.B.A. Oath" is the written vehicle, which drives additional value in the M.B.A. Degree. Their motivation was due to historical standards of practice associated with professions such as attorneys, scientists, and entrepreneurs. Moreover, "The M.B.A Oath" created unity and synonymous standards of practice in the overall business sphere.

Generation Y experienced first-hand effects of unethical decisions: Economic destruction and utter dismantling of Wall Street. For the past three (3) years Generation Y continually endures the results of unethical behavior, greed, and dishonesty among industries, professionals, and consumers.

Generation Y is coping by living through one of the worst economic downfalls since the Great Depression. We are educated, intelligent, and ultimately living proof of the American Dream!

M.B.A. Journey: An M.B.A. Education Coupled With Real-World Experience

The Master of Business Administration (M.B.A.) Degree is a highly regarded educational program in which many aspire to achieve: The Holy Grail.

As a member of Generation Y, an education is an essential element of our structural composition. Education is valued and personified as the momentum toward achieving personal and career endeavors. Attending graduate school and successfully completing an M.B.A. degree is a significant milestone in its own right.

According to businessmajors.about.com, the M.B.A. degree is an extremely sought after degree and viewed as an elite educational achievement. An M.B.A. is prospectively for those who desire a true mastery of business concepts and theories, which are applicable in the real world business arena. Real world M.B.A. applications are definitively regarded as the launching pad for the waves of small businesses, corporate insight, and dynamic decision making.

My Journey:
I sincerely feel blessed and genuinely humbled for the opportunity of graduate school coupled with several years of marketing and business experience. In September 2006 I embarked on a four year journey, while working in Real Estate Marketing by day. By night, I attended traditional style lectures and connected with a multitude of domestic and international professionals. The ranks of classmates ranged from accountants, engineers, marketers, and entrepreneurs. The classroom (traditional and virtual) consistently challenged our intellectual horizons and pushed for realistic but creative decision making. However, by May of 2010 the evening lectures, lengthy presentations, piles of books, and team meetings ceased as graduation became reality.

As a member of Generation Y and an M.B.A. graduate, I highly recommend the M.B.A. program, graduate school, and an advanced education. Education is an essential staple across generations, but undoubtedly changed the lives of Generation Y. An M.B.A. degree, provided far more than traditionally based conceptual business framework, it constantly pushed for academic superiority, ethical business practices, and overall excellence.

Snapshot of Epitomized Generation Y

The economic downtown over the past three (3) years riveted businesses, changed households, and altered lifestyles for Generation Y and other segments for years to come. The turbulent economic movement made its presence known at the local, national, and world scale. Local and national media resources captured scores of changed lives, which encapsulated the underemployed, unemployed, and disenchanted entrepreneurial spirit in the midst of the devastating fall and hope of recovery.

How are Generation Y undergrads and MBA graduates to shield themselves from the lead, which epitomized an obsession with the launch of their career (and movement throughout the economic recovery)? Generation Y accepted and rose to the challenge of pursuing a college education as professional accelerators, optimistic outlooks for employment footprints, and means to achieve prosperity. Please note this is not to discount and detract from successful individuals who defied barriers, entrepreneurs who endured blood, sweat, and tears, and careers which do not require a business degree. With that said-- this blog is tailored and toward Generation Y business and marketing undergrads and MBA graduates: moving forward.

Your educational pursuits, coupled with intellectual enlightenment and foundational business experience planted the seed for future business opportunities. In such a turbulent economy, the essential components for success are the 3 P’s: Passion, Persistence, and Positivity (not so elequently like the 4 P's of Marketing). Moreover, the pursuit of your dreams without passion and utter persistence would be difficult to grasp without an optimistic perspective.