Retired? Bored Already? Maybe it is time for your Second Act According to a study conducted by the U.S. Census, the average life expectancy of a human in 2060 will be around 85 years old.  An article by Nerd Wallet states that the average retirement age in 2022 was 61.  I’m not a math genius but if these numbers hold up this means that after you retire you could live for another 24 years.  That’s a long time to relax. Most people assume that when they retire they will travel, play with grandkids, rest, and take up a new hobby, but how much can you really travel, be the go-to b ..read more

True Confessions of a Career Counselor  The day I bombed an interview Let me set the stage for you.  I’m in my second year of grad school.  After changing my mind about “What to do with my life” twenty-five times before deciding to get my master’s in education (AND subsequently changing my mind at least three times after enrolling in my program) I have FINALLY decided that I want to be a career counselor.  So hear I am, about to graduate and I’ve landed a phone interview with Wake Forest University for a…you guessed it…position as a career counselor.  I am beside mys ..read more

An Open Letter to My College Major Dear Communication Studies Major, When I graduated from high school I felt a lot of pressure to pick you.  Well not you specifically, but a college major.  When people asked me, “What are you studying in college?”  I didn’t want to say, “I’m not sure yet.”  I felt like that would make me seem unfocused or not committed.  So, I picked you.  My mom was a communications major and I really loved sports, so I thought you could help me become a sports broadcaster. Trying to pick you was especially difficult for me.  In addition ..read more

Don’t Quiet Quit  Resign to redesign When I first heard the term “quiet quitting,” scenes from the movie Office Space started playing in my head.  Upon further research, I learned that according to an NPR article, “quiet quitting is not outright quitting your job.  It is quitting the idea of going above and beyond when you are not paid to go above and beyond.  It’s the idea that you and your worth are not defined by your labor.” I have mixed feelings about quiet quitting.  Having a job that offers an appropriate work-life balance is something I’m totally down with.&n ..read more

Finding a Job is Hard  Get some help  viJob searching stinks.  No one really likes it and, honestly, and that’s why I have a job ?.  The only people who get super pumped by the thought of a job search are career coaches, and that’s why you should use a career coach as a resource to help you. I’ve seen varying statistics but in general it takes three to six months to find a job.  The process begins with a search and ends when you walk through the door on your first day.  Between those two events, the amount of work on the job seeker’s part is gargantuan.  Yo ..read more

Taking the Leap  Is getting a new job terrifying or exciting?  I’m in my favorite coffee shop listening to a pair of experienced and successful female business owners give advice to another pair of new female business owners.  It is clear the new pair are still exploring the idea of opening a business and they are seeking counsel.  The more seasoned pair is not holding back on sharing advice, resources, and even customers. This conversation made me feel inspired, empowered, and supported… and I’m just eavesdropping.  It reminded me how important it is to seek advice ..read more

Finding a Job is Like Dating  Let’s find your match  “I’ve been dating since I was 15.  I’m exhausted.  Where is he?” – Charlotte York, Sex and the City “I’ve been looking for a job for two years and nothing has panned out.  I’m exhausted.  Why won’t someone hire me?” – One of my favorite clients Job searching is just like dating.  It takes time, it is exhausting, and the end to this process could be just around the corner or years away.  You never know.   One thing I’ve learned as a career coach and former single lady, you won’t find what yo ..read more

An Open Letter to a Terrible Job Dear Terrible Job, I’m writing to inform you that I don’t miss you, but I am very very very grateful for you.  When we met back in 2008, I had big dreams.  I dreamt of becoming a film editor working for a huge production company in California, and I hoped you would help me get there.  Shortly after we met, I started to realize I didn’t like you.  I actually dreaded seeing you every day, but you taught me four very important lessons.  I’m writing today to tell you about what you taught me. Lesson #1: How to hustle.  I graduated du ..read more

Try Before You Buy Using Informational Interviews as a Tool for Career Exploration Have you been thinking of making a career or job change, but you are worried about the risks associated with taking a chance?  I don’t blame you.  It’s the same as making the decision to buy a really expensive product like a car, house, or beautiful designer handbag.  It’s hard to make a job change, career decision, or a big purchase when you have so many unanswered questions. What are the challenges associated with the new job I’m considering? What should my salary expectations be? Am I even q ..read more

Do’s and Don’ts of Cover Letter Writing I have a confession.  Early in my role as a career coach, I HATED writing cover letters.  I actually shied away from working with cover letter clients because I didn’t feel like I knew enough about the purpose of the document, and I didn’t think I had the writing chops to compose an effective one.  Like most things that I’m not very good at, I did some research and I started to practice.  Now, I’m proud to say I enjoy writing cover letters.  Through practice I learned you don’t have to be a poet laureate to write one of these t ..read more