Financial Literacy

Career choices

Your career has a lot to do with how much money you’ll make. Whether you’re just starting on your career path or thinking about changing your career, you face what can be difficult decisions. Before you make those decisions, ask yourself:

• What experiences in my life have made me consider particular careers?
• How do I get to a career in those fields?
• Do I need college, technical school or on-the-job training? If so, what do I need to do to get that training?
• What personal, resources and networks do I have that can help me prepare for my career?

Base your choices on who you are today. If your goals and interests change, you can always change your pathway.

Know what you owe

It’s good budget practice to know your debts, whether it’s monthly bills or student loans. Remember that you have to repay the student loans you took out to help pay for your education. You have to repay those loans even if you don’t complete your education, aren’t able to get a job in your field of study or are dissatisfied with or don’t receive the education you paid for.

If you’re not sure about any federal loans you have, you can check the U.S. Department of Education’s National Student Loan Data System (NSLDS) at www.nslds.ed.gov. It can provide information on your federal loans, including type, amount borrowed, outstanding principal and interest, and the total amount of all your loans.

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