Networking at Its Best

By Chela Counts, Editorial Intern

On Friday, July 9, 2010, Atlanta Tribune: The Magazine hosted its second Young Professionals Business Exchange for the summer. The Loft at Castleberry Hill did a superb job creating a professional, yet intimate, setting. As an intern for the magazine I had the opportunity to get a “behind the scenes” look into how events like these are managed from start to finish.

At 6:30 p.m. guests began to arrive and I was excited. The young businessmen and businesswomen from around metro Atlanta area were dressed for success and ready to mingle. Besides great food, people and conversation, I found myself observing just how wonderful of an event this really was, so much so that I regretted not inviting a few of my friends.

While enjoying my Asian skewers, pasta salad and sweet tea, I conversed with two previous Atlanta Tribune interns and a local engineer for GE at my table. They each shared experiences with me and offered insight on things to expect once I graduate from school and pursue a career in my anticipated field. “Interning for Atlanta Tribune: The Magazine has opened up so many doors for me,” says 2009 Atlanta Tribune editorial intern Deniscia Scott.

Through my journey here at Atlanta Tribune thus far, I have grown not only in my writing but also in the way I communicate. I am anxious to see what the near future has in store for me. After eating, raffle tickets were drawn for two individuals to enjoy a nice meal at the Yamato Japanese Steakhouse, but everyone went home with something. Raffle ticket winner or not, each young business professional went home with something in hand — business cards and the July issue of Atlanta Tribune.

In today’s job market it is extremely important to attend networking events such as this one. Rain or shine, it is worth the time and effort. I look forward to Atlanta Tribune’s next event, the Moving Your Business Forward Conference, on July 28, 2010, held at Clayton State University. Hope to see you there.