How I became a Career Strategist & Coach
This is a story all about how my life got twisted upside down 👑 #IYKYK
Really, this is the story about why I became a Career Strategist & Coach. 🙌
Since I started my career, every time I've changed jobs, it's been a shift. I've entered a totally new industry or field where I could apply my transferable skills and gain more. Each time it felt like a career identity crisis. I've gotten really good at navigating career transitions, though.
I didn't realize it until I heard a client recently talk about her experience with "Job PTSD" - that was totally my experience too. Having my contract role not turn into something permanent, having been laid off unexpectedly, having my department re-org and my role eliminated...I always kept my eyes out for jobs, even if I wasn't applying, because I never knew when my next job search was going to start again.
In 2017, while keeping those eyes on jobs, I started to post local social and environmental impact jobs online that I thought were cool, even though they didn't fit my skillset but thought perhaps someone in my network may be interested in. I slapped on the hashtag #HappyPlanetJob and started to brand myself on LinkedIn as the Happy Planet Job Spotter.
Soon people in my network were referring social impact jobseekers to me (thanks, LinkedIn network!) and I had jobseekers from all over the world contacting me asking me for help. It was so fun networking with these purpose-driven people. It made me realize how much better the job searching process can be when you are connecting with others in the same boat and cheering each other on!
In 2020, I successfully navigating myself out of career identity crisis and into something completely new, yet again, and energizing. I was still meeting a lot of job seekers, and I started to offer advice that helped my mindset. I asked them questions based on what helped me figure out what to focus on. I offered emotional support, knowing all too well how isolating the job search can feel. I sensed the energy shift from the beginning to end of these conversations. These people expressed how grateful they were for my help and unique perspective...
Oh! I'm good at this. 🤔🤓
I quickly realized not only did I have the compassion, listening skills, and contagious energy, I had the experience to help other purpose-driven career changers through what I went through:
navigate out of (for me, multiple experiences of) career identity crisis to a new thing that's energizing and aligns with one's values
build confidence in themselves, their story, and their transferable skills
develop emotional resilience, process the uncomfortable emotions that come up when we think about our careers
keep motivated in the face of ghosting, rejections, and the fear of failure.
It also helps that I have a professional background in workplace culture and employee motivation. I offer my analysis of what and how Toxic Professionalism teaches us to prioritize in our life and careers: perfection, projected progress, and permanence.
Working with coaching clients the last few years and seeing their results has proven the effectiveness of my Kind Careerism methods. This new vision and way of doing careers allows us to be kind to ourselves, kind to others, and challenges the unkind.
Now, as a Career Strategist for purpose-driven career changers, I can look back on the tumultuous road that led me to coaching, the most gratifying and fun job I’ve had yet!
Learn more about me and my coaching methods or set up a exploratory call to get to know each other.
Cheering you on!
