Thinking Ahead: Discovering the Truth about Careers, College, and Finance

This time of the semester can be stressful for students of any age. Let’s take the stress off, by discussing the top 10 tips for studying, as well as some stories from around the web of students whose exams didn’t go exactly as planned. 

#FinalsWeek, #StudyTips 

Finals Study Plan Worksheet

Dexters Lab – Study Now, Party Later (A Warning): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d5F2suIGB7U

How to Learn (Python Programmer): https://www.youtube.com/@gilesmcmullen

My favorite Study Music: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ui7Hb4cvamY

Questions? Comments? Suggestions? I want to hear from you!

In today’s episode, I tell you my top 5 book recommendations for kickstarting a change in your life. Career? Focus? Money? It’s right here. 

Discover the Best Jobs For You by Ronald L. Krannich & Caryl Rae Krannich 

Atomic Habits by James Clear 

The Compound Effect by Darren Hardy

The One Thing by Gary Keller with Jay Papasan

I Will Teach You To Be Rich by Ramit Sethi

Questions? Comments? Suggestions? I want to hear from you!

In today’s episode we discuss credit card tips and warnings for first-time and new credit card users. Credit cards a tricky, but they are a part of everyday life. If you get your mindset, knowledge, and habits right early, you'll save yourself a lot of pain and money!

Sources:

I Will Teach you To Be Rich: https://www.iwillteachyoutoberich.com/books/

Ramit Sethi: 3 Best Credit Cardshttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1vxEdadW5Ds

Spending Statistics Cash vs Credit: https://wallethub.com/edu/cc/cash-vs-credit-card-spending-statistics/133985

Nerdwallet.com

Questions? Comments? Suggestions? I want to hear from you!

In this episode, I go to a job fair with the intent of seeing how the people doing the hiring feel about the job market. Is it all doom and gloom? Is AI taking off of the jobs? Or is there more to the job market, and thus the job search, than meets the eye. 

3-year Timeline Tracking Worksheet

https://www.bls.gov/news.release/empsit.nr0.htm

Their website is nice and boring… like the government is supposed to be. 

St. Lucie Fire District
 https://www.slcfd.com/

Employment Simplified Inc.
 https://www.esiworks.com/

Background music, “Thinking Music”, provided by Kevin Macleod at Incompetech.com.

Questions? Comments? Suggestions? I want to hear from you!

In this episode, I give updates about the effect of the OBBB (One Big Beautiful Bill) effect on student loans, and those considering student loans:

https://www.career.org/web/Multimedia/Blog/BDR-Case-Returns-to-District-Court--GE-in-Limbo--Bare-Minimum-to-be-Re-Regulated.aspx

https://ticas.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/PPSL-and-TICAS-Borrower-Defense-101-Primer.pdf

https://fsapartners.ed.gov/knowledge-center/library/dear-colleague-letters/2025-07-18/federal-student-loan-program-provisions-effective-upon-enactment-under-one-big-beautiful-bill-act

https://studentloanborrowerassistance.org/sallie-mae-saga-government-created-student-debt-fueled-profit-machine/

https://www.nerdwallet.com/article/loans/student-loans/big-beautiful-bill-student-loans

https://www.forbes.com/sites/adamminsky/2025/09/12/5-takeaways-after-student-loan-forgiveness-delays-get-challenged-in-new-class-action/

Questions? Comments? Suggestions? I want to hear from you!

In this episode, I discuss JOB FAIRS and some important things to remember and prepare for a job fair. Career/Job/Employment Fairs are a great way to see what jobs and career choices are available in your area, and they are great interview practice. 

SHOW NOTES:

https://jobs.fidelity.com/en/life-at-fidelity/our-stories/career-advice/what-to-do-at-a-job-fair-and-how-you-can-prepare/

Monster Job Interview Dress Code:
 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ylI371c2HSU

https://www.monster.com/career-advice/article/how-to-dress-for-job-fairs 

https://www.themuse.com/advice/8-ways-to-stand-out-at-a-career-fair

https://www.indeed.com/career-advice/finding-a-job/dos-and-donts-of-job-fair

CAREER FAIR BINGO download (Click Here)
 
 

Questions? Comments? Suggestions? I want to hear from you!

In this episode, I go over how to network and find professionals in the field that you want to learn more about. I also interview a professional to show you an example of how simple an interview can be. To quote that guy from the crowd in The Waterboy, YOU CAN DO IT!

NETWORKING:https://hbr.org/2023/03/a-beginners-guide-to-networking

QUESTIONS TO ASK A PROFESSIONAL:

- Did you go to college to get a degree for this specific job? What was your major?

- What led you to apply for this job or were you promoted to it from within?

- What skillsets do you find most useful for this job?

- What educational route do you think would best prepare one for this job?

- What did you find most surprising about this job?

- Does this job support the lifestyle you want?

- What advice do you have for someone trying to get into this job or career?

Guide/Worksheet for interviewing professionals:
CH-02_WORKSHEET_Interview-JobResearch.pdf

Questions? Comments? Suggestions? I want to hear from you!

Disclaimer: Summer allergies are affecting my breathing. Sorry.

In this episode I discuss the Skills Vs. Desire  chart, the pitfalls that come into being in each quadrant, and different ways to overcome those pitfalls. Those 4 quadrants are: 

1.  I know what I want to do, and I know what I’m good at. 
2.  I know what I want to do, but I don’t know what I’m good at.
3.  I don’t know what I want to do, but I know what I’m good at. 
4.  I don’t know what I want to do, or what I’m good at. 

Action steps to help you move forward:

- Create a Vision Board

- Create a list of your skills

- Create a job interest list

Guide sheet for interviewing professionals:
CH-02_WORKSHEET_Interview-JobResearch.pdf

Questions? Comments? Suggestions? I want to hear from you!

**Due to a mistake on my part, the episode, although recorded several weeks ago, didn't make it to the directory until May 31st. My apologies. **

In this episode, I give an update on the state of student loans in the United States. 

At one point, I said $330 and $350 million, when I meant BILLION with a B. Huge difference.

Sources:
•https://www.ed.gov/higher-education/manage-your-loans/save-plan 

•https://studentaid.gov/announcements-events/idr-court-actions

•https://www.forbes.com/sites/shaharziv/2025/04/30/republican-student-loan-plans-inflation-trap-repayment-assistance-plan-may-make-student-loan-bills-soar/ 

•https://thecollegeinvestor.com/39673/does-the-government-profit-off-of-student-loans/

•https://edworkforce.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=412406

•https://www.gao.gov/products/gao-22-105365

•https://www.fool.com/research/student-loan-debt-statistics/

•https://www.ed.gov/higher-education/manage-your-loans/save-plan

Questions? Comments? Suggestions? I want to hear from you!

Hello friends!

In this episode I begin the long discussion about how to decide if college is where you belong, and what other options are available along with their Pros and Cons. 

"Know Thyself" Worksheet:
Ch-02_WORKSHEET_KnowThyself.pdf

Questions? Comments? Suggestions? I want to hear from you!