Yes, I Work With College Students (And Here’s Why That Matters)
If you’ve spent time on my site or in my content, you might assume I only work with burned-out professionals in their 30s and 40s.
That’s not wrong - but it’s not the whole story.
I also work with college students and early-career professionals, and I’m very intentional about it.
Not because they’re “behind.”
Not because something is wrong with them.
But because the career pressure that used to show up at 35 is now showing up at 21.
Career Confusion Is Happening Earlier - and It’s Louder Than Ever
Today’s college students and recent graduates are navigating:
Endless career options with very little clarity
Pressure to “choose right” the first time
Family expectations (spoken and unspoken)
Constant comparison fueled by LinkedIn and social media
A post-COVID job market where traditional paths feel shaky
This isn’t a motivation problem.
It’s cognitive overload.
By the time many people find me in mid-career, they’re not just confused - they’re exhausted, resentful, and disconnected from themselves.
Working with students earlier allows us to interrupt that cycle before it becomes burnout.
Career Coaching Isn’t Just About Resumes or Job Offers
Let’s clear something up.
Career coaching - at least the way I practice it - is not about:
Picking a major for you
Telling you what job to take
Pushing you into whatever role sounds impressive
Career coaching is about:
Understanding how you make decisions
Naming what actually matters to you (not what you think should matter)
Building confidence in your ability to choose, pivot, and adapt
Learning how work fits into your life - not the other way around
These are career skills for life, and they matter just as much at 20 as they do at 40.
Why My Background in HR and Higher Education Matters
Before coaching, I spent 15 years in HR leadership and talent management. I’ve:
Hired early-career talent
Watched people burn out fast
Seen what happens when someone follows a path that never fit
I also work in higher education now.
So when a student tells me, “I feel like everyone else has this figured out,” I know exactly what’s happening - and what isn’t.
They don’t need advice.
They need space to think, reflect, and build trust in themselves.
If You’re a College Student (or Parent) Reading This
Here’s what I want you to know:
Feeling unsure does not mean you’re failing
You don’t need a 10-year plan
You do need support that helps you think clearly
Career coaching at this stage isn’t about locking yourself into one path.
It’s about learning how to navigate work for the long haul.
And yes - that matters.