SoFi Blog

Tips and news—
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Launching a Side Hustle: Things to Keep in Mind

Between student loans, rent, utilities, groceries, and food—expenses can add up quickly. If your regular paycheck seems to disappear in a hurry every month, it may be time to find a side hustle to boost your income. According to a 2017 report , more than 44 million Americans have found a side hustle to boost their bottom line.

With most side hustles, you’re able to customize your schedule which can give you the flexibility you need when you’re already working a full-time gig. And with a bit of leg work, you can find a side hustle that falls in line with your passions and gives you a sense of pride and fulfillment that you may not be getting at your full-time job.

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How to Turn a Side Hustle into a Full Time Business

Whether it’s residual fallout from the worst economic crisis since the Great Depression, or just a sense of inherent scrappiness, side businesses seem to be everywhere these days. From selling collectibles from your couch to launching a boutique, home-repair business, there are countless side hustle ideas to pursue.

Thanks to free marketing tools through platforms like Instagram or Facebook, all you need is an idea, talent, and some chutzpah to launch your next gig. Starting a side hustle can be difficult enough, but have you ever thought about how to turn your side hustle into your business? Whether your side job ideas are crafty or cognitive, here are some tips on turning a side hustle into a full-time business.

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The Effectiveness of Online Courses

You’ve seen the commercials. The ads pop up on websites when you’re online. Maybe your friends and family are doing it. As more Americans pursue degrees in higher education, more Americans are turning to online classes. But what are the benefits of online learning?

According to a 2017 federal report for the National Center for Education Statistics , the number of people enrolled in postsecondary education is expected to climb by 15% from 2014 to 2025. But, thanks to technology, the education of the future may look very different than it does now—and it may impact more than high school seniors.

Web-based distance learning is becoming commonplace at universities around the country, further enabling people in remote areas to gain access to educations like those obtainable in more urban areas.

The Digital Learning Compass organization reported in its annual Distance Education Enrollment Report that more than six million higher education students had taken at least one online class in 2015.

But is learning online really best? Here are some benefits of online education, and a few pitfalls to avoid if you’re looking to brush up on your skills with an online class—or a complete online degree, cap and gown and all.

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Transitioning into Public Service after Law School

Did you go to law school dreaming of working in public service? Maybe you wanted to fight to protect the environment, hold corrupt corporations accountable, or defend free speech. Or perhaps you wanted to go to bat on behalf of people experiencing discrimination, persecution, or predatory behavior.

When it comes time to actually graduate with your J.D., however, figuring out how to make a public service career work can be daunting. The vast majority of your peers are embarking on high-paying jobs with corporate law firms. Meanwhile, you likely have a bunch of student loans that you’ll need to start repaying soon, which can be challenging on many public interest salaries.

Despite these downsides, about 30% of 2017 law school graduates went into public service jobs after graduation, among the highest share ever recorded. Of those, about 7% of graduates chose to work at public interest organizations. If you want to make a public service career work, there are plenty of opportunities out there.

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