A year ago, SoFi member Elena Foukes Lucas was the lowest-level analyst at a Fortune 200 company. Today she’s a co-founder and CEO of a renewable energy startup. Elena’s adventurous path to a more fulfilling life and career, including her experience with SoFi Career Services, is an inspiring story for anyone who’s pondered the pros and cons of starting a business while repaying student loan debt.
Read the full post about Elena’s experience over on Women 2.0.
In today’s digital world, it’s easier than ever to find and cultivate the contacts you need to bolster your job search and career growth – and networking-focused apps can help. Check out these three great tools — Charlie, Conspire and Contactually — that the SoFi Career Services team regularly shares with members.
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Last month you may have seen the proposal to end federal tax benefits for 529 college savings plans, which sparked intense backlash and was withdrawn quickly. Even if you haven’t been following that news, or aren’t yet saving for your children’s education, 529 plans are an interesting example of how the wealth-minded manage their finances.
The 529 plan was created to make higher education more affordable by allowing account holders to invest, grow and withdraw money tax free (sort of like a Roth IRA for college savings). But over time, the 529 has become disproportionately popular with higher income households, who often use these plans to save on taxes.
Which begs the question – what are some of the common financial rules that the wealth-minded live by, and what can we learn from them? Here are three examples that anyone can adopt – no matter what stage you’re at in the money game.
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Got big plans for your career in 2015? The good news is there should be plenty of opportunity – if you know where to look and how to position yourself accordingly. That’s what the latest SoFi Quarterly Employment Trends report revealed when we released it at the end of last year (the full report is available to SoFi members – contact me for details).
Recent jobs data painted a rosy picture for the US labor market, with the national unemployment rate dipping to its lowest level in six years in October.[1] Whether you’re seeking a promotion, a raise or a new job, this is great news because low unemployment rates create scarcity and demand for talent – in other words, it’s a great opportunity for you to make your move. Also, as our report notes, certain industries and occupations may offer more professional and compensation upside than others in the coming year.
Ready to take your career to the next level? Here’s a quick guide to some of the big professional growth themes in 2015:
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New Year’s resolutions come and go, but student loans can sometimes feel like they’re forever. When 2016 rolls around, wouldn’t it be nice if you’ve made a significant dent in your debt – or even decimated it completely?
If you want to take control of your student loans in 2015, we’ve got 15 easy and impactful ways to do it.
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