1. Communication skills - Employers want graduates who can effectively communicate orally and in writing. 2. Problem-solving skills - Being able to analyze complex problems and develop solutions is highly valued. 3. Teamwork skills - The ability to collaborate with others and work well in a team environment is essential in most careers.

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In This Issue:
4. About the Editors
Get
a
sneak
peak
of
a
day
in
the
life
of
the
SHU
students
bringing
you
the
most
essential
information
to
guide
you
through
the
ins
and
outs
of
college
and
beyond.
5. Where Do You Fit?
Current
statistics
and
what
to
expect
when
you
join
the
workforce.
8. Q+A
Hear
how
one
Sacred
Heart
University
Professor
got
started,
the
challenges
he
faced,
and
what
advice
he
has
for
you.
10. Dealing with Debt
Learn
how
to
deal
with
one
of
the
most
daunting
realities
of
college
students
around
the
nation.
12. The “Must Know” 4.1.1.
Incorporate
these
quick
and
easy
tips
and
become
a
global
genius!
14. Expectation vs. Reality
Hear
some
common
misconceptions
about
the
“real
world.”
One
savvy
professional
will
prepare
you
for
what
to
expect
after
receiving
your
diploma.
16. Landing the Job
The
top
skills
today’s
employers
are
looking
for
in
college
grads.
17. You Asked, We
Found Answers
Pioneers
submit
their
most
pressing
questions,
and
we
provide
the
answers!
7. Quotes for Success
Entertaining
and
affirmative
quotes
that
will
inspire
you
to
pioneer
your
path
to
success.

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THE EDITORS
The idea for this magazine came to us when we realized we had a number of
unanswered questions regarding how to survive the world after college and
how to become more independent with our personal finances. We hope you
find this magazine valuable and fun to read!
Leah Arsenault is a junior Marketing major
and Fashion Merchandising minor from
Attleboro, Massachusetts. As a Pioneer, she
is involved in all different areas of the
University. Some of
her main roles
include the President
of Club Running,
Secretary of Fashion
Club, a Welch
Mentor, and a
Student Ambassador.
Her dream job
involves working in the field of fashion for a
magazine company. Pioneer Planning is
the perfect opportunity to guide her to
where she wants to be, and her purpose is
to provide information that will help do the
same for her readers.
Leah Arsenault & Jessica Wilbert
About
Jessica Wilbert is a
junior Marketing
and Management
double major from
Harwinton,
Connecticut. She
is an active Pioneer
at Sacred Heart. A
few of her roles include being a Welch
Mentor, a Student Ambassador, and a
community volunteer. She plans on
having a career in the Event
Management Industry. Working on
Pioneer Planning has been a highly
beneficial learning experience for her
and she hopes readers will find the
information within useful for their
everyday lives.

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98%Percentage of SHU graduates
seeking full-time employment
that found it within three months
of graduating.
Contributions from:
Sacred Heart University Career Development &
Placement, and U.S. News-Enrolled Report Rankings
and Mint.com
Top 5 Growing Business Jobs
According to U.S. News
1) Market Research Analyst
2) Marketing Manager
3) Accountant
4) Operations Research
Analyst
5) Financial Advisor
47%
Percentage of millennials who
volunteered their time for
community service in the last
month.
$24.74
The average amount 18-34 year
olds spend each week on coffee. Cities with the Most Bike
Commuters
1) Portland, Oregon
2) Minneapolis, Minnesota
3) Seattle, Washington
4) Washington, D.C
5) San Francisco, California

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WELCH COLLEGE OF BUSINESS – MASTER OF SCIENCE IN ACCOUNTING (MSA)
Learn the fundamental concepts of accounting, develop effective accounting methods and gain the knowledge and skills
essential to pass the CPA exam.
Program Details:
- 1 Year, 30 credits
- Offered in a unique flexible format
- Can be completed in one year with hybrid courses taken in a trimester format
- Courses are offered online with once-per-month Saturday seminars (Fairfield Campus)
Two concentrations:
- Forensic Accounting- includes a course that is part of the education program for a Certified Valuation Analyst
Certification. It gives students an introduction in to eventually pursuing a CVA designation.
- International Accounting- Students will learn about the latest activities of the International Accounting
Standards Board.
Learn more about how the MSA program will provide you with the necessary skills and knowledge to pass the CPA exam
upon graduation, and will prepare you for your 150 hours of study.
For More Information Contact:
Pam Pillo, M.S. Barbara Tarasovich, DPS, CPA
Director of Graduate Admissions Assistant Accounting Professor
203-365-4716 John F. Welch College of Business
pillop@sacredheart.edu 203-416-3513
tarasovichb@sacredheart.edu

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"The difference between
winning and losing is
most often not quitting."
- Walt Disney
“Learn from yesterday, live for today, hope
for tomorrow. The important thing is not to
stop questioning.”
-Albert Einstein
“It’s easy to make a buck.
It’s a lot tougher to make a
difference.”
-Tom Brokaw
“To avoid criticism, do nothing, say
nothing, be nothing.”
-Albert Hubbard
“If opportunity doesn’t knock, build a
door.”
-Milton Berle
“A flower does not think of competing to
the flower next to it. It just blooms.”
-Zen Shin
“If you're not stubborn, you'll give up on
experiments too soon. And if you're not
flexible, you'll pound your head against
the wall and you won't see a different
solution to a problem you're trying to
solve."
-Jeff Bezos
“Success is most often achieved by those
who don't know that failure is inevitable."
-Coco Chanel

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Hometown: Donegal, Ireland
Graduate of: University
College Galway, Ireland and
Brunel Univeristy, London, UK
Received: Civil Engineering
degree, MBA and PhD
Q: What was your first job
after graduating college?
A: I worked for CRH, a global
construction supplies
company that had a
subsidiary in London, UK. I
was the marketing manager
with the responsibility for
introducing a new product
into the UK market.
PROFESSOR ENDA MCGOVERN
PHD, ASSOCIATE PROFESSOR OF
MARKETING
Q: Did you face any difficulties
finding a job?
A: There are always difficulties
in finding the right job. The
important thing is to be
enthused with any opportunity
and to learn and grow from
there. Networking is key and
the ability to display one’s skills
and intellectual mind (critical
thinking) is essential. So always
stay strong and focused as the
position will come along.
Q: What life lesson have you
learned that you think
everyone should know?
A: Don’t worry about the small
stuff as it is so easy to be
consumed by it. Tomorrow is
another day and, if you work
hard, you will shine in the end.
Always try to raise the bar in
everything you do in your life.
Q: Is there a particular moment
that stands apart from all others
throughout your career?
A: One might be the first time I
was laid off. It was so hard to
understand at the time (but
everyone gets past it) and yet
so obvious in the aftermath. I
simply hated the job, but so
relied on the salary. This might
be the only occasion when I
would have liked to have been
more decisive and moved
earlier but the responsibility of
having a family played its part
also.
Q: If you could change a
past decision, what was it
and what would you do
differently?
A: That is a great question
but one that I never dwell
on. Life is a journey and
some decisions might be
better than others. But they
all take you somewhere and
it is from there that you move
forward. I don’t believe in
second guessing. For
example, I have an
Engineering degree, yet I
teach Marketing. I would
suggest that I am a more
evolved teacher, having
studied Engineering because
it has taught me how to
solve every problem I ever
faced.
Q: Do you have a piece of
advice for students and
young professionals?
A: It is so easy to assume that
everyone else is better off
than you. I guarantee they
are not, as they have their
own issues or concerns. So
take a moment every day to
treasure the things you have
such as good health, family,
friends, even those small
materialistic things. But try
not to always desire more of
everything, as REAL
happiness is not found there!

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UNSUBSIDIZED-
You’re responsible for all of the
interest the loan accumulates, from
the time you open it until the time
you pay it off.
SUBSIDIZED LOANS-
Essentially, the interest on this loan
is interest free until you’re no
longer enrolled in school.
How to start paying it off…
Most lenders give students a 6-month grace period before they must start
repaying their loan. Many students use a ten-year repayment period to pay
off their loans.
Here’s a great tool to calculate how you will pay off your debt:
http://www.direct.ed.gov/calc.html. Another method you can use is to
create an amortization table (good thing you learned this in AC101!)
Other types of repayment plans…
Standard Repayment-
- You pay a fixed amount each month until your loans are paid in full.
Monthly payments will be at $50, and you will have up to ten years to
repay your loans.
Extended Repayment-
- To be eligible, you must have more than $30,000 in Direct Loan debt
and no outstanding balances on a Direct Loan.
- 25 year repayment period and 2 payment options:
1. Fixed: same amount each month
2. Graduated: payments start low and increase every 2 years
Graduated Repayment-
- Payments start low and increase every two years for up to ten years.
Your monthly payment will never be less than the interest accrued in
that period. The monthly payment will gradually increase, but will
never triple in size relative to other payments.
These 3 plans are the most common among college graduates. If you are looking for an
alternative, other plans include: Income Contingent Repayment, Income-based
Repayment and Pay as You Earn Repayment. For more information go to:
http://www.direct.ed.gov/RepayCalc/dlindex2.html.

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1. Over-borrowing;
Students should only borrow what they absolutely need!
2. Ignoring disclosure statements from servicers/lenders;
Students avoid dealing with their debt because they simply do not
know how, or are overwhelmed by its amount.
3. Not reviewing previous loan obligations;
Students and families should evaluate their loan obligations each
school year before they borrow more money.
4. Not paying interest on your loans while in school;
This reduces the overall balance of your loan, making it less
overwhelming after graduation.
5. Living far beyond your means;
Adults in their early twenties often dine out and live as though they
have an endless supply of disposable income, when in reality their
earnings are minimal!
6. Financing debt with credit cards;
Post-grads often use credit cards to finance a lifestyle of living
beyond their means. This is dangerous because you run the risk of
not paying your monthly balances in full each month. Credit cards
often encourage spending because you don’t have to pay upfront.
Contributions from:
Keith Tucker & Morgan Kelly
SHU Financial Assistance
Directloan.gov

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Newspapers:
- The New York Times
- Bloomberg, Businessweek
Magazines:
- Time
- Subscriptions to trade publications (Accounting, Fashion, Finance, Marketing)
Today’s technology helps us get the news we need faster than ever. Use your smart-phone
“smarter” and download these free apps so you can stay informed about the latest
headlines.
Online:
- CNN, Bloomberg, NBC News, Forbes
- Get the latest headlines and video clips
Mobile:
- Apps are one of the easiest forms
- Stitcher and Flipboard are great resources
- Podcasts
While your parents may seem like the only ones to still rely on these sources, their pages hold the
keys to impressing your employer… (even if it means getting a paper cut or some ink on your
hands!)
We get it, staying informed and trying to understand business news and global issues isn’t as fun as
streaming Netflix during your free time. But staying connected to the world is easier than you think.
Because let’s be real, more often than not, your phone is no more than an arm’s length away from
you. With a few simple adjustments and a quick a visit to the app store, you’ll impress your professors
and recruiters before you know it!

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Featuring: Chanel Rivers, Advertising Sales Assistant at Better Homes and Gardens
Money:
You definitely have A LOT more of it, but you will also be
spending A LOT more of it. You now have bills, rent, outings,
traveling to see friends/boyfriends, etc. but honestly having
your own income and not having to rely on mom and dad
anymore is fantastic.
Besties:
Apparently my friends and I are weird for staying in touch and still being
close? I’ve asked around and it doesn’t seem like it’s common. I will say
this, it takes effort. Long gone are the days when you could walk across
the courtyard and be at your best guy friend’s house playing beer
pong in 2.5 minutes. It takes work and most friendships fail because of a
lack of effort (whether it’s getting caught up with work, new friends,
boyfriends) some people just don’t seem to care as much. Make the
effort, be present, if they matter to you – you can make it work.
Immediate success:
I guess this depends on how you define success,
but for the most part I’d say this takes a lot of hard
work, determination and maybe some crying.

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Time:
Do we ever really have enough time, ever? I
don’t think this has changed much.
Loving/Hating your job:
I mean, I could go on and on about this. Work is work.
You’re in an office for 40+ hours a week, not enjoying the
outdoors or watching Netflix in your bed. So it’s obviously
not ideal, but it is definitely possible to find something you
enjoy. Whether it’s what you’re doing or the people you
work with, work is what you make of it. Go into work with a
smile and a positive attitude – don’t be negative Nancy
and things will be a little brighter.
Planning Career Moves:
I don’t even think I know what I want to do now, let alone when I graduated
two and a half years ago. Some people are pretty fortunate to know what
they want, and have career steps to get there. Others, like myself, go with the
flow. They find what makes them happy in the moment and figure out the
next steps as they come. I don’t think either path is wrong, I just think you have
to figure out what makes you happy and what’s best for you. Traveling? Being
a writer? Actress? Go for it. Nothing is worse than being unhappy and stuck
behind a cubicle five days a week if that’s not where you want to be. There’s
something for everyone, you just have to find out where you belong.
Graduating is tough. You’re separated from some of your closest friends that
you’ve been with for so long, and you’re pushed into the real world and
made to figure out life on your own from this point on. Once you figure out
your way, you begin to see how hard you’ve worked and the things you’ve
accomplished. College slowly becomes a happy memory that you’re glad
you had, but are finally ready to move on from.

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No matter what you’re looking for an internship, graduate position or full-time job, be
sure to follow these simple tips so you can nail any interview!
Contributions from:
Rob Coloney
Career Development and Placement
DO YOUR RESEARCH…
Your interviewee(s), the company, the
job description and any other basics.
PREPARE YOUR MATERIALS…
Have more than what you think you need
in terms of resumes, business cards, demos,
references, etc.
BE ON TIME…
At least 30 minutes early, you never
want to chance traffic or delays!
DRESS THE PART…
Act like you’re interviewing for the biggest
job in the company.
SHOW GENUINE ENTHUSIASM…
You applied for the job – if you want it,
PROVE IT!
BE SPECIFIC IN YOUR EXAMPLES…
Quantify what you have done, similar to
your resume.
LISTEN…
Do not interrupt. Take extra time and
be thoughtful in your responses.
ANSWER WHAT IS ASKED…
Don’t answer a question with one of your
own.
ASK QUESTIONS…
Bring at least 3-5 questions. Well-
developed questions signal interest.
FOLLOW UP…
THANK YOU, THANK YOU, THANK YOU!

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NICOLE MIKSINSKIA, A PHYSICAL THERAPY MAJOR WOULD LIKE TO KNOW, “HOW CAN I BUILD MY CREDIT?”
You Asked,
Great question Nicole! You should begin building credit as soon as possible. If you refer back to
“Understanding your Credit Score” from our first issue of Pioneer Planning, available online at,
www.sacredheart.edu/media/sacredheart/welchexperience/Pioneer-Planning-Final-.pdf, you will
see that the length of your credit history determines 15% of your score, so it is important to start
building credit early. If you have borrowed student loans, then you have already begun building your
credit, which is great!
-Morgan Kelly, SHU Financial Assistance
WE FOUND ANSWERS
JESSICA LAFLAM, A PSYCHOLOGY MAJOR WAS WONDERING, “WHAT IS THE BEST CREDIT CARD TO APPLY FOR
WHEN STARTING OUT?”
Credit cards can be a great, useful financial tool so long as they are used wisely!
For those just starting to use a credit card, it would be best to begin with a card that does not
have an annual fee. An annual fee is a set amount the credit card company will charge you just
for owning their card. Next, you want to look for a credit card with a low APR (Annual Percentage
Rate) so that if you end up carrying a balance (which is not recommended) you have the lowest
interest charges possible. Many companies will determine this rate after a credit check, so narrow
down what cards you are looking to apply for, two or three, and then see who offers the better
rate. Many companies, such as Discover, American Express, Citibank and Bank of America offer
credit cards for students. Typically these cards have no annual fee and are good for first time card
holders.
It is better to use national credit cards, such as those above, rather than retail credit cards. Retail
credit cards are offered to you when shopping, often with the incentive of saving 15% or more off
of your purchase. These cards tend to have higher interest rates and less benefits, as well as
limited usage. It would be much more advantageous to pass up the initial discount and apply for
a more universally accepted credit card.
-Morgan Kelly, SHU Financial Assistance

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Have a question?
Submit it via e-mail at:
arsenaultl@mail.sacredheart.edu
wilbertj@mail.sacredheart.edu
Technically, you are only limited by the minimum amount required by a brokerage firm or mutual
fund company to open an account. A number of online brokers (ShareBuilder, Scottrade) have no
required minimum account balance. So, the good news is you can start with $1,000 or even $100.
Pragmatically, you should weigh the dollar amount you have available to invest against the costs of
creating a diversified portfolio. No service is free. Brokerage commission for buying/selling stocks
increase significantly on a percentage basis as the dollar amount invested decreases. Mutual funds
charge a flat percentage fee. Before making investments, do your homework, and know what you
are buying. Finally, investing takes time, patience, hard work, discipline and sometimes a little
heartache. Make sure you approach the markets correctly, both financially and psychologically!
-Professor Jiang, Finance
JON GOLDFARB, A PHYSICAL THERAPY MAJOR WAS WONDERING, “HOW DO YOU GO ABOUT DOING YOUR TAXES?”
Starting your taxes can definitely be overwhelming! What I normally tell my friends is, even if they
have a simple return, the software products like TurboTax, TaxCut, etc. make tax preparation easy.
These software programs make sure the taxpayer doesn't overlook any deductions. The 1040 EZ
form (used when filing federal income taxes) is simple, however, it can cost a taxpayer
more. Personally, I've been using TurboTax for years and I always find it helpful! If you are not
familiar with tax rules and regulations, completing your own tax return can be intimidating. If the
taxpayer has a more complex return some of the more advanced TurboTax programs are worth it
and come with expert tax advice!
-Professor Tarasovich, Professor & Director of MS Accounting Program
ELIAS GHARIOS, A BUSINESS MAJOR WAS WONDERING, “HOW MUCH MONEY DO I NEED TO START INVESTING?”

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A special thanks to those
who contributed to
Pioneer Planning!
Bethany Baumann
Rob Coloney
Keith Tucker
Sean Heffron
Ashley Johns
Morgan Kelly