Filing Your First Tax Return? Here’s What to Know

Posted On February 15, 2022 By Nicole Klemp In Blog Articles /  

As Benjamin Franklin said, nothing in this world is certain except death and taxes. While the former is hopefully many, many years away for you yet, you can be sure that when it comes to taxes, Uncle Sam will come knocking each and every year to make sure you’ve paid your fair share.

Tax time can be confusing though, even for people who have been paying taxes for decades. Tax laws change nearly every year, and the methods for filing evolve with new technologies and rules. If you’re just starting out in your career or are a student filing taxes on your own for the first time, it can be especially intimidating.  

If you live in the U.S., your federal income tax return will be due sometime in mid-April, and your state income tax will be due around the same time (depending on your state). Read on for some high-level information and resources to help you prepare for tax season.

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The Importance of Building Your Personal Brand

Posted On February 2, 2022 By Nicole Klemp In Blog Articles /  

Think about some of the world’s most recognizable brands, like for example, Starbucks. Most of us can spot that round, green Starbucks logo from a mile away. Now think about some of Starbucks’ brand attributes — the things they’re known for — like friendly service, comfortable atmosphere, free wi-fi, and a wide variety of coffees and teas. 

Most people choose Starbucks because of one or more of those brand attributes. If you just wanted to grab a hot cup of black coffee on your way to work in the morning, then any gas station or fast-food chain will do the trick (and probably save you a couple of bucks). But if you want to get some work done on your laptop and enjoy a soy chai latte, you know Starbucks is a better option. You know this because they’ve built and marketed a memorable brand with the attributes you’re looking for.

Building and promoting your personal brand is essentially the same thing, just on a much smaller scale. (And you don’t need the Starbucks marketing budget to do it!)

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Is a Career Change Right For You?

Posted On January 27, 2022 By Nicole Klemp In Blog Articles /  

Thinking about a career change? You’re not alone. More than 20 million people quit their jobs in the second half of 2021, during what is now being called “the great resignation.”

Whether you’re just daydreaming about making a change or have had one forced upon you through layoffs or downsizing, now is as good a time as any to be really thoughtful about what you want to do next.

As TED Speaker and career expert Michelle Enjoli said, “2022 is shaping up to be a great year for a career change due to the large range of options that now exist to educate yourself in a new area, network globally with others, rebrand yourself, and position yourself as a subject matter expert.”

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Professor giving a lecture to several students in a classroom

5 Things to Do Before Declaring a Major

Posted On January 17, 2022 By Nicole Klemp In Blog Articles /  

Some students start their college careers knowing exactly what they want to be when they grow up, making choosing a major an easy decision. But this is not the case for everyone. 

Plenty of students don’t know what they want to major in before starting college, and many are still figuring things out throughout their first year (or more). And that’s perfectly okay!

If you find yourself in the “undecided” camp, you’re not alone. Here are some things you can do before or during your first semester to help you make a more informed decision about your major. 

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A businesswoman points to a white board, leading a group of four other people in a brainstorming discussion.

How to Facilitate a Great Brainstorming Session, in Person or Virtually

Posted On December 16, 2021 By Nicole Klemp In Blog Articles /  

Need some fresh ideas? Time to put on your brainstorming cap!

While brainstorming can certainly be done on your own, facilitating a group brainstorming session can be extremely helpful in generating new ideas and bringing fresh perspectives to a problem.

Read on for tips on bringing the right group together and facilitating creative brainstorming whether you’re in person or remote.

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