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Catie Hogan's on a crusade to bring financial literacy to her generation.

North Adams Native Writes Financial Self-Help Book

By Jack GuerinoiBerkshires Staff
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NORTH ADAMS, Mass. — City native and Drury graduate Catie Hogan hopes to empower and nudge millennials toward adulthood with her new book "The Millennial's Guide to Getting Your Sh*t Together."
 
Hogan, a financial planner and published comedy and satire writer now living in Atlanta, said the bulk of her collection of essays was inspired by her own struggles navigating the post-college world. 
 
"Less than a decade ago I was drowning in student loans, had no idea what to do with my life and was consistently dating people who were wrong for me," she said. "I started reading a ton of personal finance and self-help books and eventually got my act together financially, professionally and personally."
 
After finding success and starting her own financial planning firm in 2016, Hogan is on a crusade to teach millennials the necessary life skills often not taught in school — such as how to better handle finances and relationships, and how to find the right career.
 
"This book takes a new approach to the personal finance and self-help genre, and I try to limit my use of confusing industry jargon," she said. "I hope to help people build a financial foundation and become more confident in their jobs and relationships, but if I fail to teach you anything, I hope I at least can put a smile on your face and make you laugh."
 
Although the information in the book is applicable to all, she wrote it with millennial women in mind.
 
"I know my audience. Most of them drink a lot of wine and are fans of reality TV, and that's totally fine because I'm one of them," she said. "While my advice is mostly geared toward young women, I try to be as intersectional as possible. I don't think guys should be embarrassed to be seen with my book either. There's a lot of stuff in there for them, too."
 
She added that through humor, she hopes to liven up the often dry writing usually attributed personal finance and self-help books and to empower young women.
 
"I'm a big believer in using humor to convey important messages," Hogan said. "I'm on a crusade to make America more financially literate and I'm going to use bad jokes and self-deprecating humor to do just that. Learning how to be an adult doesn't have to be so serious."
 
Hogan's book can be purchased in paperback or eBook format on Amazon and you can follow @Hogan_Financial.

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McCann and Taconic Awarded CTI Grants

Staff Reports
NORTH ADAMS, Mass. — The Healey-Driscoll Administration announced $525,482 in Career Technical Initiative (CTI) implementation grants awarded to two organizations in the Berkshires to train 80 individuals for careers in high-demand occupations within the trades, construction, and manufacturing sectors in the region. 
 
In North Adams, McCann Technical School was awarded $344,871 to provide training to 60 participants for Automotive Technician, Advanced Manufacturing, and Welding positions. They will partner with T&M Auto Sales Inc., Berkshire Bridge & Iron Co. Inc., Haddad GMC, Haddad Subaru, Bedard Brothers Auto Sales Inc., Lenco Armored Vehicles, TOG Manufacturing, Sinicon Plastics, Adams Plumbing & Heating Inc., and Gills Point S Tire.
 
"We are excited to be working with our MassHire team to continue to address our workforce needs and build talent pipelines and career pathways in Advanced Manufacturing, Welding and Automotive Technician," McCann Superintendent James Brosnan said. "This CTI award will provide hands-on training and support as we continue to expand our skilled talent pool for employers in the Berkshires."
 
In Pittsfield Taconic High School was awarded $180,610 to provide training to 20 participants for Metal Fabrication and Auto Technology positions. They will partner with O.W. Landergren Inc., Lenco Industries Inc., Bedard Brothers, Haddad's Auto Group, and RW's Auto Inc.
 
"Pittsfield Public Schools is incredibly grateful to the Healey-Driscoll Administration and Commonwealth Corporation for the CTI award to Taconic High School. This grant will have a significant and lasting impact on our community by providing skilled technicians to address critical shortages in Berkshire County," said Superintendent Joseph Curtis. "We are excited to partner with Lenco Industries, Haddads, Bedards, RW Auto, O.W. Landergren, Northeast Fabricators, and the MassHire Berkshire Career Center. These partnerships will serve as a catalyst for positive change, ensuring that our trainees are well-prepared for the challenges and opportunities of the 21st-century workforce, while simultaneously strengthening our local economy."
 
The CTI grant program, a state-funded workforce initiative, partners with career and technical education schools to provide adult learners, especially unemployed and underemployed individuals from underserved populations and underrepresented groups, with career training and technical skills to meet the needs of Massachusetts employers. The program transforms career and technical education schools across the state to become "Career Technical Institutes" that run after dark programs in the construction/trades, manufacturing, and skilled trades career pathways. 
 
"Addressing our workforce needs and building talent pipelines and career pathways in construction, trades and manufacturing sectors is a priority for this administration," said Governor Maura Healey. "CTI offers hands-on training that will support our jobseekers, workers and employers. We're proud to expand the CTI awards to these two schools in the Berkshires to strengthen our workforce and grow our economy throughout the state."  
 
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