SWGTC students compete in event

THOMASVILLE, Mar 20, 2013 (Thomasville Times-Enterprise - McClatchy-Tribune Information Services via COMTEX) -- Members of the Southwest Georgia Technical College (SWGTC) Phi Beta Lambda (PBL) student club traveled to Macon for the PBL District Leadership Conference and Regional Competition on March 1. SWGTC was represented by nine student members competing in various events, including: Carrie Carter, Business Presentation; William Collins, Public Speaking and Networking Concepts; Michael Jordan, Networking Concepts and Computer Concepts; Laura Williams, Job Interview; Teresa Crumby, Job Interview; Tyron Lockhart, Job Interview; Tomesha Adams, Public Speaking; Frank Smith, Computer Concepts; and Gail Lawson, Hospitality Management.

Carter, who placed first in the Business Presentation category, and Jordan, who placed second in Networking Concepts, will move on to the state level and compete at the 2013 Georgia PBL State Leadership Conference in Atlanta on April 12-14.

"Participation in competitions like this is so important because it gives students an opportunity to become comfortable with their public speaking and networking skills. When you have strong networking and public speaking skills, it gives you an advantage in the working world over someone whose skills are poor. I must say that I really enjoyed the regional competition and I can't wait to compete at the state level in April," commented Carter.

Phi Beta Lambda is a national, nonprofit organization and educational association with a quarter million student members preparing for careers in business and business-related fields. The association has four divisions: Future Business Leaders of America (FBLA), for high school students; FBLA-Middle Level, for junior high, middle, and intermediate school students; Phi Beta Lambda (PBL) for postsecondary students; and Professional Division, for business people, FBLA-PBL alumni, educators, and parents who support the goals of the association. The mission of PBL is to bring business and education together in a positive working relationship through innovative leadership and career development programs. They also host competitive events as part of their National Awards Program, which was established to recognize and reward excellence in a broad range of business and career-related areas. Each competitive event, which is categorized as individual, team or chapter, is governed by specific guidelines and judged by a panel of judges who rate competitors with a rating sheet specific to the category.

"Of all of the benefits that the students receive from being a member of PBL, the opportunity to network with their peers from other colleges is perhaps the most important. The opportunity to meet others who have similar interests and career objectives to their own is an invaluable resource to the student. Nobody knows when they may be in the position to either hire or be hired by someone they met at one of the many PBL events. Some of the contacts made through PBL could become lifelong friends or acquaintances," Neil Clements, Business Management Program Director and PBL Faculty Advisor.

SWGTC students who would like to join PBL should know that they do not have to be a Business or Management major to join. Annual dues are only $20 and financial aid can be used to pay for membership. Each member of PBL receives a membership card, a national magazine, and an opportunity to become an active member of an international business organization. Through various fundraisers, PBL raises money to take members and competitors to state and national conventions, as well as making an annual donation to the March of Dimes and other local charities.

For more information on PBL and other SWGTC student clubs, please contact Asha Dillard, Student Activities Coordinator, at (229) 227-3076 or adillard@southwestgatech.edu.

___ (c)2013 Thomasville Times-Enterprise (Thomasville, Ga.) Visit Thomasville Times-Enterprise (Thomasville, Ga.) at www.timesenterprise.com Distributed by MCT Information Services

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