Updated Employment Data from BERC

http://mtsu.edu/berc

Employment Indicators

• Tennessee unemployment rate fell to 7.6% in Nov., down from 8.2% in Oct. and 8.7% a year ago. Rising employment pushed the unemployment rate lower.
• Seasonally adjusted nonfarm employment for Tennessee rose again in Nov. to the highest level this year and is 1.0% higher over the year, up by 25,800 jobs. All but 3 metro areas are gaining jobs over the year, led by Clarksville and Jackson MSAs. 
• See graphs at Tracking Tennessee's Economic Recovery.

Employment Growth by Industry

Heat tables and summary tables

• Chattanooga MSA
• Clarksville MSA
• Cleveland MSA
• Jackson MSA
• Johnson City MSA
• Kingsport-Bristol MSA
• Knoxville MSA
• Memphis MSA
• Morristown MSA
• Nashville MSA
• Tennessee

[http://www.mtsu.edu/~berc/tacir/tennesseejobs.html]

Hiring MTSU Students

The MTSU Office of Development is currently hiring 20 MTSU undergraduate and graduate student leaders for our Phonathon calling program. Primary responsibilities include contacting MTSU alumni, friends, and graduating seniors for donations to the MTSU Annual Fund Campaign. If you know of any students who will be interested in this position, please forward along this information. Students can follow this Lightning Job Source link MTSU Phonathon Position for more details. The application deadline is January 7^th, 2013. 

For more information, please contact Meredith Kerr, Associate Director of Annual Giving for the MTSU Office of Development at 898-2728 or Meredith.Kerr@mtsu.edu.

Survey: Consumer Confidence Drops Sharply

http://goo.gl/iJr9a 

Following a yearlong period of steady increases in consumer confidence, the overall consumer outlook index for midstate residents dropped sharply to 106 from 178 in September, according to MTSU's Office of Consumer Research [Tim Graeff, director, Management and Marketing].

[Murfreesboro Post article]

Best-Paying College Majors for Women

Information Sciences and Business Economics make Forbes Top 10 List:
http://www.forbes.com/sites/jennagoudreau/2012/11/28/the-10-best-paying-college-majors-for-women/

Talk to MTSU's departments of Computer Information Systems or Economics and Finance for more information. Jones College advisors can assist you.

Global Commerce Newsletter

http://www.mtsu.edu/~berc/globalcommerce.html 

In the new Global Commerce newsletter from the Business and Economic Research Center, Dr. Steven Livingston examines trends and changes in Tennessee's county-level export activity. Mexico became the first country other than Canada to import more than $1 billion in Tennessee products in one quarter. [more]

Take a Stand and Stop Bullying

Jackie Gilbert's undergraduate EXL management students are presenting on topics of bullying (cyber bullying, corporate bullying, and stalking) to student groups on November 28 in the BAS State Farm room beginning at 6 p.m. Although the event was originally scheduled from 6 to 9 p.m., because there are only three groups it will more likely last one and one-half hours.

[Management and Marketing]

Tennessee Housing Market

http://www.mtsu.edu/~berc/housingbrief.html 

The Business and Economic Research Center has posted its 3rd Quarter 2012 Tennessee housing newsletter. Housing and manufacturing are leading Tennessee's economy. Single-family home construction is rising but from very low levels. Home sales are gaining in 2 of the 3 largest metro markets. Price stability has reached 6 of the 10 metro areas. [full report]

Jump-Start Your Career with the BAT on 11/30

Bloomberg is coming to campus on Friday, November 30, to run a career assessment for students who may be thinking about a future in business or finance. The Bloomberg Assessment Test (BAT) is an opportunity to further your professional development. All students and majors are welcome, provided you have an interest in connecting to firms looking for great individuals. 

The goal of the BAT is to match student strengths with employer needs, so you do not need to be an expert in all sections of the test. Bloomberg has relationships with over 20,000 global companies that are actively using the test score data to fill full-time and internship opportunities.  

 
To register for the upcoming session:
What:  Bloomberg Assessment (screens students for careers in finance, economics, or business) 
When: Friday, November 30, 9 a.m. and 1 p.m.
Cost: free for undergraduate and graduate students

Click link to register: 

November 30 at 9 a.m. - http://bit.ly/MTSU11301

November 30 at 1 p.m. - http://bit.ly/MTSU11302 

The BAT consists of 11 sections measuring finance aptitude and career skills with topics ranging from economics, analytical reasoning, and math to investment management and verbal skills. The BAT assesses your strengths and weaknesses for a career in business or finance. After you take it, your scores are anonymously entered in the Bloomberg Talent Search, used by employers to source top talent. All results are anonymous, and you maintain control over which employers can see your information.  

The BAT can also be leveraged to enhance your resume and social media profiles. Highlighting your participation in the BAT may help to differentiate you from thousands of other candidates by demonstrating and reinforcing your abilities in front of  employers.
 

Take the assessment that connects you with over 20,000 global employers. 

The Bloomberg Assessment Test (BAT) is a free, standardized, three-hour exam designed to assess an individual's aptitude and knowledge relevant to opportunities within business and finance. Every BAT test taker is anonymously entered into the Bloomberg Talent Search Database, which is available to more than 20,000 top firms and allows employers to contact a test taker for an internship, entry-level, or graduate-level position. The test consists of 155 multiple-choice questions and 11 total sections (50% finance aptitude, 50% general aptitude and career skills.

Students Create Anti-Bullying Video

Students of Jackie Gilbert (Department of Management and Marketing) created a video: "Take a Stand, Stop the Bully/ The Face of a New Resistance."

Economics Speaker

The Department of Economics and Finance will host speaker and economist Douglas W. Allen on November 9, 2012, at 7 p.m. in COE 160 (College of Education building) on the MTSU campus.

Professor Allen will give a lecture titled "The Industrial Revolution: What Happened to Dueling, Aristocrats, Indentured Servants, and the Town Watch?" It will be about an hour long, with 15 minutes afterward for questions.

Douglas W. Allen is Burnaby Mountain Professor in the Department of Economics at Simon Fraser University.

For more information: 

• Mike Hammock
  Michael.Hammock@mtsu.edu
  615-494-8678

Sales Career Showcase

A networking event, “Sales Career Showcase – An Evening With the Professionals,” will be held on Tuesday, October 30, from 6:15  to 9 p.m. at the Doubletree Hotel in Murfreesboro.  The event is funded by the Professional Sales Program/Sales Enrichment Fund at the MTSU Foundation.  Twelve companies (with 24 representatives) will be there along with representatives from the Rutherford Chamber of Commerce and the United Way.

Hors d’oeuvres will be served at 6:15 p.m., and company reps will give 2-3 minute presentations beginning at 6:30 p.m. on why the students should visit his/her table; this should be completed by about 7:15 p.m.  The Chamber and United Way reps will speak briefly on the value of getting involved in the community.  Following the brief introductions to the companies, the students will visit tables of interest for the “career fair” portion of the event.

The event is open to any undergraduate or graduate students who have an interest in a sales position. Students should be dressed appropriately and have resumes.

For more information, contact Katie Kemp.

Journey Home Benefit DInner Ticket Sales

Students in Free Enterprise (SIFE) members are selling tickets for a benefit dinner for the Journey Home's garden. The Journey Home is a Christian Outreach Center for the homeless and at-risk individuals and families in Rutherford County. The class goal is to sell 540 tickets at $7 per ticket; if they make that goal, Modern Woodmen Fraternal Financial will match up to $2,500. The class should be able to turn over a check to the garden for over $6,000 to purchase some much needed equipment.

The event will be held on Friday, November 9, at Stones River Country Club. There will be two seatings: one from 4:30 to 6 p.m. and one from 6:30 to 8 pm. The spaghetti sauce, noodles, and Alfredo sauce are being provided by Demos. The ticket price also includes rolls or bread sticks, salad, dessert, coffee, tea, or water.  One hundred percent of the ticket price goes to the garden. Scott Foster, Executive Director of the Journey Home, will be giving a short presentation on the panhandling issue at both dinners as will Brad Blomgren from Way of Hope.

Students from Siegel High School's Key Club will also be working that time to help the SIFE students serve the patrons.

For more information, contact Jean Wilson.

Pre-Election Economic Policy Discussion

The Department of Economics and Finance and the Economics Club presented a panel discussion of the policies of the presidential candidates. Five economists--Bill Ford, Karen Mulligan, Todd Gable, Bram Gallagher, and Mike Hammock--participated. Prior to the Q&A session, Bill Ford presented a summary of the macroeconomic situation.

Weatherford Chair of Finance Golf Scramble

The Weatherford Chair of Finance Golf Scramble at Old Fort Golf Club on September 26 raised a record $44,500 to support the Financial Institution Management program, research, scholarships, and conferences.

Weatherford Golf Scramble at Old Fort Golf Club

Dr. Bill Ford and Mr. Jack O. Weatherford

Culture Fest 2012

Culture Fest 2012 is an opportunity to tour the world and never leave home! Exhibits from more than 40 countries, interactive activities, entertainment, informational booths, and food will delight the senses and expand your world view. Coordinated by Students in Free Enterprise, this MTSU student-created event is free and open to all ages.

Come celebrate the richness of our community’s diversity and have fun!

• Thursday, November 15 
• new MTSU Student Center ballroom
• 6 to 9 p.m.

For more information, contact Jean Wilson:

• jean.wilson@mtsu.edu 
• 615-898-2436

Accounting CPE Day Seminar

http://www.mtsu.edu/accounting/CPEDaySeminar.php 

The annual Accounting CPE Day Seminar will be Thursday, December 6. Presentation topics include accounting and financial reporting, auditing, taxation, and ethics. Participants can earn up to 8 hours of CPE credit.

• Information 
• Agenda 
• Brochure 
• Registration 
• Directions

Dean Burton to Keep a Role in College

"Jim Burton won't be through with his contributions at MTSU's College of Business for some time yet. Even though he announced plans to step down as dean after 13 years at the end of this academic year, he will be back on campus as dean emeritus. . . ."  [Read more at Daily News Journal.] 

Economics Lecture

The Department of Economics and Finance will host Douglas W. Allen on Friday, November 9, at 7 p.m. in the State Farm Room (BAS S102). Professor Allen will give a lecture titled “The Institutional Revolution: What Happened to Dueling, Aristocrats, Indentured Servants, and the Town Watch?” It will be about an hour long, with 15 minutes afterward for questions. Douglas Allen is Burnaby Mountain Professor of Economics at Simon Fraser University. 

(For information, contact Michael Hammock, Michael.Hammock@mtsu.edu.)

Pre-Election Policy Discussion

The Economics Club and the Department of Economics and Finance will hold a “Pre-Election Policy Discussion” Wednesday, October 17, at 7 p.m. in the State Farm Room (BAS S102). Professors Bill Ford, Karen Mulligan, Todd Gabel, Bram Gallagher, and Michael Hammock will answer questions about the economic policies proposed by the presidential candidates as well as other questions about economic policy raised by the audience. The discussion will be about one hour and 15 minutes long, but it might run longer if there is interest.

(For information, contact Michael Hammock, Michael.Hammock@mtsu.edu.)

Report: County Employment and Wages

http://mtsu.edu/berc 

New special report from the Business and Economic Research Center:
Tennessee County Employment and Wages (pdf, Oct. 1, 2012)

Experts Forecast Mixed 2013 at MTSU Economic Outlook Conference

http://mtsunews.com/economic-outlook-conference-2012/ 

The Midstate economy has shown promising signs of recovery heading into 2013, but regulatory and policy-making uncertainty on the national stage continue to hinder sustained economic growth and threaten to reverse any economic momentum gained since the peak of the recession. [more]

Economic Outlook 2012

Download presentation pdf

Economist David Penn's presentation (pdf)

Economic Outlook Conference Sept. 21

(Business and Economic Research Center)

Economic Indicators and Outlook Conference

http://www.mtsu.edu/berc

• Seasonally adjusted initial claims for unemployment insurance are gently rising, reflecting an increased number of layoffs for Tennessee employers in August. The trend for UI claims has increased to 6,040 per week in August, rising from the recent low of 5,801 per week in April. Rising initial claims will place upward pressure on the unemployment rate.
• Single family home construction for Tennessee, as measured by seasonally adjusted building permits, rose to 1,084 units in July, up from 1,011 in June. The less volatile trend also increased.
• Tennessee's unemployment rate climbed to 8.4% in July, the third monthly rise. Employment, according to the household survey, declined in July, following declines in all but one month this year.
• Seasonally adjusted nonfarm employment rose slightly in July, adding 6,400 jobs. While higher than in June, nonfarm employment has shown little change in 2012.
• Seasonally adjusted state sales tax collections were about the same in July as in June. The less volatile moving average has shown little change since March.
• Details by MSA

Economic Outlook Conference Friday

The annual MTSU conference is scheduled for Friday, September 21, at Embassy Suites, Murfreesboro. To register,

• call 615-898-2764, or 
• email teena.young@mtsu.edu

Entrepreneurship Chair GIves Conference Keynote

Doug Tatum, Wright Travel Chair of Entrepreneurship, gave a keynote speech, "No Man’s Land and the Economics of Growing Middle Market Companies," based on his book No Man's Land: Where Growing Companies Fail at the Alliance of Merger and Acquisition Advisors summer conference.

Lecture: "How Economists Helped End the Draft"

The Department of Economics and Finance will host David R. Henderson on September 12, 2012, at 7 p.m. in the State Farm Room (BAS S102) on the MTSU campus.

Professor Henderson will give a lecture titled “How Economists Helped End the Draft.” It will be about an hour long, with 15 minutes afterward for questions.

David R. Henderson is an associate professor of economics at the Naval Postgraduate School and a research fellow at Stanford’s Hoover Institution who blogs at Econlog.

For more information: 

• Mike Hammock
  Michael.Hammock@mtsu.edu
  615-494-8678

Accounting Meet the Firms

The Department of Accounting Meet the Firms networking event is scheduled for Thursday, September 6, from 5 to 7 p.m. in the Tennessee Room of James Union Building (JUB) on the MTSU campus.

Golf Tournament: Chair of Finance

The 24th Annual Jack O. Weatherford Invitational Scramble Golf Tournament is scheduled for Wednesday, September 26, 2012.

If you or your company are interested in playing or would like to sponsor a hole, please register here:

• 2012 WCF Golf Scramble

Please mail registration and checks to:

Weatherford Chair of Finance
P.O. Box 27, MTSU
Murfreesboro, TN  37132       
Attn:  Diane Cothern

The Weatherford Chair of Finance has conducted an annual golf tournament, in the fall of the year, since 1989. The tournament raises funds to support the Financial Institution Management program, research, scholarships, and conferences. This year the tournament will be held at the Old Fort Golf Club and usually draws 144 players who are leaders of Middle Tennessee's banks, thrift institutions and their clients. 

For information, contact Diane Cothern:

• diane.cothern@mtsu.edu 
• 615-898-2883

Small Giants

Doug Tatum, Wright Travel Chair of Entrepreneurship, presented at the Small Giants International Summit in San Francisco in June. [Read more about the Small Giants Community.]

Networking Event: Digging Deeper

Seniors are invited to network with more than 35 employers on Tuesday, September 11, from 6 to 9 p.m. in James Union Building (JUB) on MTSU campus. Dress is business casual.

Discuss careers in multiple industries. Employer attendees have backgrounds in human resources, retail, sales, banking, financial services, business services, insurance, non-profit, consulting, entrepreneurial, communication and restaurant management.

For  more information, contact

• Jean Wilson, Jean.Wilson@mtsu.edu 

[Department of Management and Marketing]

Employment Growth by Industry

http://www.mtsu.edu/~berc/tacir/tennesseejobs.html 

Employment by industry heat tables and summary tables for the
Tennessee and 10 metropolitan statistical areas through July:

• Chattanooga MSA
• Clarksville MSA
• Cleveland MSA
• Jackson MSA
• Johnson City MSA
• Kingsport-Bristol MSA
• Knoxville MSA
• Memphis MSA
• Morristown MSA
• Nashville MSA
• Tennessee

In Remembrance: Rebecca Ransom Jones

Mrs. Ellen Rebecca Ransom Jones, wife of Jennings A. Jones, for whom our college is named, passed away on Thursday, August 9, at the age of 99 years and 1 day.  Mrs. Jones was predeceased by her husband.

Mr. and Mrs. Jones, and the philanthropic foundation which they established, were extraordinary benefactors to the college, the university, and the community at large. They were very involved in educational philanthropy at all levels, pre-K through college, and provided the start-up funding for many noteworthy endeavors in the community.

Mrs. Jones was an avid and well-known horticulturist with a special affinity for roses.  She was also quite dedicated to animals and was especially supportive of the Jesse C. Beesley Foundation.

The faculty and staff of the Jennings A. Jones College of Business at MTSU are deeply saddened at  the passing of a dear friend and benefactor, Mrs. Rebecca Jones. 

[online obituary and services  - Woodfin Funeral Chapels]

Tennessee Housing Market 2nd Quarter 2012

http://www.mtsu.edu/~berc/housingbrief.html 

On balance, the Tennessee housing market showed very modest improvement in the second quarter, following a stronger first quarter. Housing construction continued to grow, rebounding mildly from very low levels, but real estate transactions and mortgage activity fell. Home sales rose in Nashville but not in Memphis or Knoxville. Mortgage delinquency rates fell again, continuing a long trend of improvement. . . . [newsletter]

Economic Outlook Conference

http://www.mtsu.edu/econconference 

The annual MTSU Economic Outlook Conference is scheduled for Friday, September 21, at the Embassy Suites in Murfreesboro. 

Speakers will include:

• Greg Gonzales, Commissioner of Financial Institutions, State of Tennessee

• David Penn, director of MTSU's Business and Economic Research Center, on the midstate outlook

• Donald Ratajczak, Regents Professor of Economics Emeritus at Georgia State University, with a national forecast

Registration
Directions

Motlow State/MTSU Partner for New Center

http://www.t-g.com/story/1878054.html 

"'A Celebration of Education' was held at Middle Tennessee Education Center Thursday afternoon, introducing the Bedford County community to the center and the expanded curriculum available to local students." [Times-Gazette article]

Agents Recognized in MTSU Insurance Hall of Fame

Three insurance professionals soon will be recognized for their stellar insurance careers with induction into the Robert E. Musto Tennessee Insurance Hall of Fame at MTSU. [Daily News Journal article]

Jones College Annual Report 2011-2012

• downloadable pdf [7/18/12]
• Flash page-flip version

MTSU Finance Major

Tennessee Census Representative

Erran F. Persley is a data dissemination specialist for the U.S. Department of Commerce/U.S. Census Bureau whose office is located in Murfreesboro. He is responsible for assisting businesses, community-based organizations, and state and local governments in utilizing census data and data tools to make business and policy decisions, apply for federal grants, and promote community and economic development in the states of Kentucky and Tennessee.

Persley’s prior services include being senior vice president for Africa at Chemonics International Inc., one of the most technically diverse companies in the trade development industry. Persley began his career as an intern at the U.S. Department of Commerce’s office of international major projects during the George Bush Sr. administration in 1990. In 1994, Persley served under Secretary Ronald H. Brown as the international trade specialist in charge of the Japanese Official Development Assistance program at the U.S. Department of Commerce, where he assisted American companies in their efforts to bid for the $11 billion in projects financed by the Japanese government in developing countries.

Persley is an active member of the community. His public service work with youth employment and development programs and other numerous community service activities display his commitment to the reduction of poverty both in the United States and abroad.

Persley holds dual Master in Business Administration degrees from Georgetown University and the ESADE School of Business in Madrid, Spain. His undergraduate course work was in Political Science at Howard University.

Contact information:
Erran F. Persley
Data Dissemination Specialist
Tennessee and Kentucky
U.S. Department of Commerce
U.S. Census Bureau

Email: erran.f.persley@census.gov
Mobile: (615) 499-0976

Business Grads Have Most Positive Job Outlook

"Business graduates have the most positive outlook through 2017 because those with business degrees are most likely to work in industries where above average job and wage growth are expected, according to a report from industry analysis firm IBISWorld, MSNBC reports." [Read more at Memphis Business Journal and MSNBC.]

Special Report: State Sales Tax Collections

http://mtsu.edu/berc/tacir  

"State Sales Tax Collections and Purchasing Power" 

State sales tax collections for April rose 8.8% over the year. Collections for all 10 MSAs increased at least 5%, with five MSAs experiencing double-digit gains.... 

[download report pdf]

Tennessee Housing Market Newsletter

http://www.mtsu.edu/~berc/housingbrief.html 

1st Quarter 2012 newsletter online - Home sales rose significantly in the Nashville, Memphis, and Knoxville areas during the quarter, and average home prices fell again, though at a slower pace. [more at Tennessee Housing Market]

Survey Shows Mixed Views on Local Economy

"Middle Tennessee residents appear to be of two minds about the economy, based on results of the latest Middle Tennessee State University survey of consumer attitudes." [Read more about Tim Graeff's consumer confidence survey (Department of Management and Marketing) in the Tennessean.]

Comparison of Tennesseans' Income Based on Education

How much difference does a college degree make to an average Tennessean's income? Find out in this table: American Community Survey 1-Year Estimates [pdf] .

It's just one of many articles in Tennessee's Business: Job Creation [contents].

Features include:

• "Business Creations and Expansions, 2009,"
  an overview of the latest data and comparison to the 2001-2002 recession, by Tennessee State Data Center Director Randy Gustafson
• "Job Creation: What Really Works?"
  by David Hayes, MTSU Department of Economics and Finance adjunct faculty and Tennessee Workforce Development Board member

and more:

• Tennessee State Small Business Development Center's
  2011 results
• Tennessee green investments,
  an economic impact study on selected summarized by BERC Associate Director Murat Arik
• Tracking the state's economic recovery
  by staff of MTSU's Business and Economic Research Center and the Tennessee Advisory Commission on Intergovernmental Relations
• State job creation initiatives, an overview

plus:

• American Community Survey 1-year employment estimates in pdf format

[Flash page-flip view]

TBR Honors Jones Foundation

tinyurl.com/777k4nm 

The Tennessee Board of Regents chancellor will honor the Jennings and Rebecca Jones Foundation for philanthropy including the establishment of MTSU chairs of excellence in Free Enterprise and Urban and Regional Planning. [more]

MTSU Professor a Top Tweeter

From the Daily News Journal: Don Roy, Management and Marketing, "has been recognized by MBAPrograms.org as one of the top 50 business school professors to follow on Twitter." [more]

Gilbert Featured on Forbes Site

http://www.forbes.com/sites/dorieclark/2012/03/13/how-to-radically-re-organize-your-office/ 

Management professor Jackie Gilbert was featured in a recent article on Forbes.com on organizing office space. [article]

Breakfast Briefing

A breakfast briefing yesterday at the Nashville City Club, sponsored by the Jones College and the Jones Chair of Excellence in Free Enterprise (Aubrey B. Harwell Jr., chairholder), featured guest speaker Kelly King, President and CEO of BB&T Bank.

From left are Dean Jim Burton, Aubrey B. Harwell Jr., BB&T Regional President Martha Wallen, BB&T President and CEO Kelly King, and BB&T Nashville City Executive Natalie Ruggiero.

Accounting Alumni Appreciation Day

Accounting Alumni Appreciation Day will be April 26 from 8 a.m. to 4:45 p.m. Available CPE credit: 8 hours. Cost: $100 for alumni, $150 for non-alumni.

• Agenda
• Brochure
• Online registration
• Directions
• Alumni update form

Martin Chair of Insurance Golf Tournament

Title Sponsor BlueCross BlueShield of Tennessee announces the 28th Annual Tommy T. Martin Chair of Insurance Invitational Scramble Golf Tournament Tuesday, April 17, at Champions Run Golf Course, 14262 Mount Pleasant Road, Rockvale, TN.

The sole purpose of this annual tournament is to raise money to fund scholarships for students enrolled in the insurance program at MTSU. Students are selected on the basis of scholastic achievement, leadership potential and dedication to the insurance business.

Download pdf forms:

• tournament brochure
• participation form
• player registration

Consumer Confidence: All Signs Point to Improving Economy

"Confidence among local consumers has increased, reported Tim Graeff, director of the MTSU Office of Consumer Research, in the most recent Middle Tennessee Consumer Confidence Index." [Read more in Murfreesboro Post.]

Gift Basket Silent Auction to Benefit Journey Home

SIFE chapter members (Students in Free Enterprise) and MTSU’s Senior Seminar students invite the Jones College of Business faculty and staff to a silent auction Thursday, March 15, from 4 to 6 p.m. and Friday, March 16, from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. in the SunTrust Room, BAS N127. Those wishing to participate can show up any time during those hours to place bids.

Items to be auctioned include 25 baskets based on themes and filled with an assortment of goodies that would make great gifts. All proceeds will benefit the Journey Home, a locally owned and operated non-profit organization that operates “2 Acres of Hope,” a garden that provides fresh produce during the warmer months to less fortunate and at-risk individuals in the Murfreesboro community.

News from Management and Marketing

Regional Competition
Students in Free Enterprise (SIFE) members are preparing for a SIFE Regional Competition in Atlanta on April 2. They will be competing on two projects: Culture Fest and 2 Acres of Hope.

Career Networking Fair
The MTSU Department of Management and Marketing is hosting a career fair called  “BEST” (Business Exchange for Student Talent) on Wednesday, March 28, in the Tom Jackson building. Local employers have been invited to network with MTSU students interested in pursuing careers and internships in marketing and management. Department faculty will host a lunch with the employers at noon, and the career fair will run from 1 to 4 p.m.

Wellness Festival at Local Elementary Schools
Jean Wilson's Managerial Decision Making EXL class and SIFE team members will host a Family Wellness Festival for Hobgood Elementary and Bradley Academy students and their families on Friday, April 13,  from 4 to 6 p.m. at Hobgood Elementary. The EXL/SIFE students will partner with local health care professionals, food vendors, and MTSU athletic teams to create a festival where the elementary students can learn about proper nutrition and exercise through hands-on activities and booths. The class wrote a grant and was awarded $2000 from the MTSU Public Service Grant Committee to help implement the plans.

Community Garden
During Earth day weekend, Saturday, April 21, beginning at 8 a.m., two of Jean Wilson's Senior Seminar EXL classes and SIFE team members will work on the Journey Home Community Garden, "2 Acres of Hope," at 2811 Barfield Road in Murfreesboro. They will build a storage shed, install shelving in the greenhouse they built last year, plant a few rows in the garden, and construct a water system that will pump water from the Stones River as the main water source for the garden. The team was selected as a recipient of a $2000 grant from Lowe's. About 55 MTSU students will be working alongside local Lowe's employees.

Mock Interviews
Jean Wilson's Senior Seminar students will practice their interviewing skills in front of a panel of local employers at the Foundation House on April 27, April 30, and May 1.

Economics and the Environment

http://tinyurl.com/7p2xf2f   

MTSU assistant economics professor Michael Hammock discusses how incentives and greed affect the environment, as depicted in the movie "The Lorax." [Tennessean, March 1, 2012]

March Economics Speakers

The Department of Economics and Finance is hosting two guest speakers in March for presentations to undergraduate audiences.

• First up on March 14 is Frank Stephenson of Berry College, who writes on a variety of public choice and sports economics topics. Professor Stephenson will be giving a talk in the Davis Science Building, room 100, on the MTSU campus at 7 p.m. The lecture is titled "Want a Job? Get a License" and will be about occupational licensing, with some particular discussion of the 150-hour rule in accounting.
• On March 28, the MTSU Department of Economics and Finance will host economist David Figlio from Northwestern University. Figlio's recent work focuses on education reform, particularly vouchers, charter schools, and teacher assessment. He will be giving a talk in the Wiser-Patten Science Building, room 102, on the MTSU campus at 7 p.m. titled "The Pitfalls and Promise of Market-Based Education Reforms." 

Students are encouraged to attend. For more information, contact Michael Hammock (michael.hammock@mtsu.edu), Department of Economics and Finance.

Consumer Marketers Learn about Sports Fans through Social Media

Dr. Don Roy (Department of Management and Marketing) is quoted in the Newark Star-Ledger (Jan. 29, 2012) on how social media can be used to gather insights on characteristics of sports fans:

http://www.nj.com/super-bowl/index.ssf/2012/01/giants_pats_fans_in_marketers_crosshairs.html

To Find Happiness, Forget About Passion

The economy has changed the job market. How can one prepare for a career? "Forget about finding your passion. Instead, focus on finding big problems," proposes Oliver Segovia in a Harvard Business Review blog post. He challenges today's students, recent graduates, and job hunters to consider "what you can do and how you can be a valuable contributor." There are many big problems from which to choose, including "climate change, sustainability, poverty, education, health care, technology, urbanization in emerging markets," to name a few. What problem would you like to help solve? How can you go about choosing one? Segovia suggests:

• Stay in touch with current issues. "Get out of the office [or classroom] and volunteer."
• "Look into problems that affect you in a very personal way." 
• "Connect with people working on big problems." 
• "Take time off and travel," not just to typical tourist sites.

[ Read more at Harvard Business Review. ]

Tatum’s Work in ‘100 Best’ Business Books

A 2007 book by Doug Tatum, holder of the Wright Chair of Entrepreneurship at MTSU, “No Man’s Land: What to Do When Your Company is Too Big to Be Small but Too Small to Be Big,” is included in the recently updated edition of “The 100 Best Business Books of All Time.” (article)

- Murfreesboro Post (Jan. 12, 2010)

Corrected Link: DePrince Report to State Funding Board

Correction:
The State of the Economy and Prospects for Tax Revenue in Tennessee: Report by Dr. Albert DePrince to Tennessee State Funding Board Dec. 9, 2011