From South Africa to Florida the Corlia MacDonald Story
August 6th, 2005 - Two new Weichert Real Estate Agents: Carol Jackson and Corlia MacDonald, are among the Top 1% of Semi-Final applicants according to the announcement by The Real Estate Apprentice™ Foundation this week. They were selected out of 3,593 applications for the Real Estate Apprentice Grant Award for Season II (Jan-June, 05). “The ability to overcome obstacles is a major criterion for success in the real estate sales industry and both Corlia MacDonald and Carol Jackson are overcomers,” said Deputy Executive Director Dr. Martin Oliver. In the increasingly dangerous country of South Africa, picking up and leaving all one's security and assets behind can be a nerve shattering, tumultuous experience. But that is just what happened with Corlia MacDonald. Carol Jackson had her own set of challenges while attempting to work in the male dominated, physically demanding field of auto mechanics. After outstanding demonstrations of knowledge and dedication, Carol was subsequently honored as one of the first women Master Automotive Technicians with Ford Motor Company. “Although each story is different and both qualifications are unique, these two new Weichert agents merit a place as Semi-Finalists for the Real Estate Apprentice Grant” added Oliver.
Born in South Africa, Corlia’s parents worked as managers in the clothing and furniture business. At age 7, she became a gymnast, eventually becoming a part of the pre-junior national team. At age sixteen she represented South Africa against Switzerland as a Senior National Team Member. After graduating from high school Corlia began working for a South African chemical company before starting her own chemical laboratory company with her husband. With the changing political and business climate in the country they decided for security reasons to move their family to the United States, providing a better future for their children. Today she is a proud mother of three daughters and lives with her husband in Kissimmee Bay, Florida. During May of 2005, Corlia enrolled in a one-week, real estate pre-license course offered through IFREC Real Estate School, a RealtyU® Affiliate in Florida. She subsequently passed her State Exam on June 15 and has entered the exciting world of Real Estate with Weichert Realtors®. “It feels as if my life has been leading me to this and I am keen to learn all there is to know on how to become a very successful Realtor” she said.
Carol Jackson was raised in Philadelphia and attended Eastern College after high school. She was motivated to take a two-year intermission when her mother was diagnosed with terminal cancer. After her mother’s passing, Carol decided to pursue a career in automotive technology. “I always had a great love for cars ever since I was twelve years old” she said. She attended Lincoln Technical Institute and obtained her diploma in Automotive Technology and as the only woman in her class was told from the very beginning that she would not make it through the program.
Upon graduation, Carol took a job for a chain of automotive parts and repair stores and within a year realized she had to finish her degree in order to obtain a management position. She left the chain and attended Eastern College full time, and in December 1995 earned her degree in Entrepreneurship. Thereafter Carol began working full time in automotive dealerships and in 1998 was named one of the first woman Master Automotive Technicians with Ford Motor Company. She continued her training and moved to a larger dealership group where soon after she was promoted to service manager. In conjunction with a slowing down of the automotive industry, Carol’s father was diagnosed with a terminal cancer. She took a job in a dealership close to his home so she could help in his care. After her father’s passing, Carol decided yet again to shift her career to a new passion and decided to enter the real estate industry. She took her license course in January through Polley Associates Real Estate School, a RealtyU® Affiliate in Lionville, Pennsylvania and has been working for Weichert Realtors® since. Carol has already listed one house and sold three.
The Real Estate Apprentice Foundation reported that the total grant applications received during Season II were 3,593. From that group the top 5% (171 applicants) were selected to move to the second round. Jackson and MacDonald, representing Round 3, will advance to review by The Real Estate Grant Foundation Judge’s http://www.realestateapprentice.com/judges.cfm final stage for examination. From that group 10 applicants will become Finalists. The evaluation of the applicants’ essays and background was based on communication and salesmanship skills, entrepreneurial spirit, uniqueness and integrity. Grants awarded do not require any form of repayment.
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More about the Real Estate Apprentice™ Foundation
The Real Estate Apprentice™ Foundation is a non-profit venture that provides 20 bi-annual grants, totaling $250,000 every year. Grants are sponsored by various leading real estate companies, service providers and industry leaders including: First American Corporation – The nation’s leading provider of business information: Hobbs/Herder Advertising and Design – A household name in real estate agent corporate identity and branding; Thomson Learning – A global publisher of books in real estate, law, tax and accounting; Success Strategies Institute – A premier real estate coaching company; McLean International – A respected real estate organizational structure business systems implementation company; RealtyU® the nation’s largest network of Real Estate Schools; iSucceed the nation’s largest online real estate mentoring service; CourseDates.com – a course scheduling service; The CyberSpace Society – The 1st name in online conventions and cyber information and RIS Media and Broker Agent News, both highly respected names in real estate news reporting. Companies interested in becoming sponsors should contact Dr. Martin Oliver at Dr.Oliver@ReApprentice.com. For more information visit www.RealEstateApprentice.com
More about Weichert’ s Realtors®
Weichert has more than 15,400 sales associates in over 330 company-owned and franchised sales offices in key markets throughout the U.S. A family of full-service real estate and financial services companies, Weichert helps customers buy and sell both residential and commercial real estate, and streamlines the delivery of mortgages and home and title insurance. For more information, call Weichert's customer service center at 1-800-USA SOLD or visit Weichert's Web site, www.weichert.com. Each Weichert franchised office is independently owned and operated.
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