Cathy Bussewitz, Author at The Rapid City Post

Workers take on side jobs to combat stagnant salaries and insecurity about employment

November 13, 2025

Working professionals in the U.S. are taking on side jobs to supplement their income amid frozen salaries, inflation and fear of layoffs. Some people are concerned about instability in their workplace or worried about layoffs. Others are reluctant to trust one employer to provide a steady job that lasts. There’s even a trend known as “polyworking,” or juggling multiple jobs. Supplementing earnings with gig work on apps such as Uber and Grubhub is one approach people are taking. Others are generating additional income streams by turning passion projects into “side hustles.” Experts advise choosing something you love and being cautious of scams when starting a side business.

Mistake-filled legal briefs show the limits of relying on AI tools at work

October 30, 2025

Judges around the world are seeing error-riddled legal briefs that were generated with the help of artificial intelligence. A data scientist and lawyer has catalogued at least 490 filings in the past six months that contained false or misleading information from AI responses. His database is a cautionary tale for people learning to use AI tools at work. With many employers wanting workers to employ the technology, it’s not just the legal profession that needs to be aware of the possible foibles. Legal and workplace experts suggest treating AI as an assistant whose work needs to be checked. They say users also need to be aware of privacy concerns.

Career experts say asking for a raise isn’t off the table in a tough job market

October 16, 2025

The U.S. is experiencing a significant hiring slowdown. And job postings are attracting hundreds of applicants. It’s a daunting time to be looking for a job in the U.S. And the current economic challenges may make it seem like a bad time to ask for a raise. But there are workers out there getting pay increases. And career experts say that it’s not wrong, even in a shaky economy, to ask to be paid what you’re worth.

Mini-meditations are a way to foster peace of mind at work

October 3, 2025

The idea of meditating can be intimidating to beginners. Beginners may find the prospect of trying it at work embarrassing. But there are ways bring short and inconspicuous meditation sessions into the workday. Many spiritual traditions approach the practice by focusing on breathing to calm the mind. When thoughts pop up, imagine letting them go. Techniques like picturing yourself succeeding at challenges or mentally scanning your body for pain, tension or other sensations are ways of meditating that can be done almost anywhere. Experienced practitioners say meditating before or at work helps them maintain focus, sit still and reduce performance anxiety and stress. And they say there’s no right or wrong way to do it.

When self-doubt creeps in at work, pause and reframe your negative thoughts. Here’s how

September 17, 2025

When we make mistakes at work, it can lead to a cycle of negative thinking. Damaging thoughts swirl in our minds. The feeling of being an impostor, or doubting one’s abilities despite a track record of success, is common. Even on days when everything’s going right, it can be hard for some people to shift out of a cycle of self-doubt. But there are ways to interrupt that downward spiral. You can challenge those beliefs and replace them with more productive thoughts. Many have found cognitive behavioral therapy helpful to examine the automatic, negative thoughts and replace them with neutral or positive mantras.

Keeping work from spoiling a vacation takes planning and the right phone settings

August 7, 2025

The summer vacation season is in full swing in the Northern Hemisphere, but navigating the line between work time and personal time is tricky for a lot of people. With laptop computers and smartphones making it possible to log in anytime to do work from anywhere, many find it hard to disconnect even when they take vacations. Others feel so compelled to keep working that they feign illness instead of going on family outings. Experts say planning ahead and setting up your smartphone to reduce email requests and office notifications can help keep work from intruding on your time off.

OPEC+ countries to boost oil production by 547,000 barrels per day

August 3, 2025

A group of countries that are part of the oil cartel OPEC+ have agreed to boost oil production, which some believe could lower oil and gasoline prices. They cited a steady global economic outlook and low oil inventories. The group met virtually and announced that eight of its member countries would increase oil production by 547,000 barrels per day in September. The countries boosting output, including Saudi Arabia, Russia and Iraq, had been participating in voluntary production cuts. The announcement means the voluntary production cuts will end ahead of schedule.

For some employees, education benefits such as tuition assistance prove life-changing

July 25, 2025

As higher education costs have grown to heights many U.S. residents find unattainable or illogical, some adults are looking to their employers for help. According to the Society for Human Resource Management, nearly half of public and private employers have a tuition reimbursement program as part of their benefits packages. Some companies cover tuition costs up front instead of requiring to pay out-of-pocket for college or professional credentials. And some workplaces even offer to help repay their workers’ past student loans. Experts say if you work somewhere without education benefits, it’s worth trying to make an individual case for help paying for a course or training that would help you do your job more effectively.

Secretary of Labor Lori Chavez-DeRemer looks as Job Corps members stand behind her during a House Education and Workforce hearing, Thursday, June 5, 2025, on Capitol Hill in Washington. (AP Photo/Julia Demaree Nikhinson)

Federal judge orders US Labor Department to keep Job Corps running during lawsuit

June 26, 2025

A federal judge has granted a preliminary injunction to stop the U.S. Department of Labor from shutting down Job Corps, a residential program for low-income youth, until a lawsuit against the move is resolved. U.S. District Judge Andrew Carter issued his decision on Wednesday. The Labor Department said in late May that it would pause operations at all contractor-operated Job Corps centers by the end of June. Job Corps aims to help teenagers and young adults who struggled to finish traditional high school and find jobs. The program provides tuition-free housing at residential centers, training, meals and health care.

Trucking student Mohammed Kamal, left, overseen by instructor Tom Panton, practices driving a tractor-trailer truck in a simulation at the Driving Academy on Tuesday, June 10, 2025 in Linden, N.J. (AP Photo/Angelina Katsanis)

Truckers fear job loss as new English language rules take effect

June 24, 2025

Brushing up on English has taken on new urgency for truck drivers in the United States. President Donald Trump issued an executive order in April saying that commercial truckers who don’t read and speak the language proficiently would be considered unfit for service. Federal guidelines for applying the order are going into effect. They call for enhanced roadside inspections to decide if truckers can reply to questions and directions in English, as well as understand highway traffic signs and message boards. Some truckers worry they may lose their jobs if they make a mistake or speak with a heavy accent.

Cathy Bussewitz.