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Get the advice you need to successfully start your career.

This blog presents guidance on topics such as making the most of 1stGig, writing appropriate cover letters and resumes, developing solid interview strategies, negotiating a starting salary, deciding about graduate school, and much, much more. It is interactive as well as informative: If you have questions or comments about what you read here, or if you have ideas for topics you’d like to see covered, just let us know.

Keyword: finances
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Retirement? I’m too young to think about retirement!

By Susan M. Katz
January 16, 2017
According to recent research, more than half of all American workers haven’t saved anything for retirement. While you may think that this is a problem you can ignore for a few years—or a few decades—the fact of the matter is that if you don’t start saving when you’re young, you’re likely to end up with financial problems later. (Read more)
Keywords:
budgeting | finances | retirement savings |

Is college worth it?

By Susan M. Katz
August 16, 2016
It depends on how you spent your time and how much debt you accrue, among other factors. (Read more)
Keywords:
debt | finances | unemployment |

Repaying your student loan

By Susan M. Katz
June 21, 2016
If you have a student loan, you have entered the world of finance in a way that can affect your entire future. A student loan is typically a fairly significant debt, and failure to manage your money and repay your loan obligation can follow you throughout your life. What you need to do is make sure that you understand all your options. (Read more)
Keywords:
finances | student loans |

Congratulations on your graduation! What’s next?

By Susan M. Katz
June 6, 2016
If you recently graduated from college (or are about to graduate from college) and you’re not quite sure what happens next, you’re not alone. Roughly 80% of college graduates do not have a job lined up prior to graduation. What that means is that the weeks following graduation can be a really frightening time, especially if you, like most college students today, have student loans that will soon come due. The best thing you can do at this point is keep calm, don’t panic, and make some plans. (Read more)
Keywords:
benefits | career planning | cost of living | finances | information interviews | job search strategies | LinkedIn |
Susan M. Katz
Student Career Placement Consultant

Susan M. Katz, PhD, is 1stGig’s Student Career Placement Consultant and the author of Start Your Career: 5 Steps to Finding the Right Job after College.  She is also Associate Professor of English and Internship Coordinator at North Carolina State University, where she developed internship courses for both undergraduate and graduate students. Her courses help students prepare for the job search process, identify their strengths, and consider a variety of potential career paths. Her first book, The Dynamics of Writing Review: Opportunities for Growth and Change in the Workplace, describes some of the processes that newcomers must go through as they enter the workplace and adapt to organizational conventions.

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