"So how did you get into this career?"
My journey into career development work began with my own exploration:
as a high school and then university student with many interests, I couldn't imagine "picking one thing" to do forever. At the same time, I didn't see another option. I spent countless hours analyzing which "one thing" would be best for me. I felt overwhelmed, frustrated, and stuck.
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Eventually, I met with a career counsellor who helped me develop a new way of thinking about my future career path: not as a one-time decision I had to make at age 20 but as a series of choices I could make throughout my life, and not as a list of finite options to choose from but as a blank canvas I could design using my own desires and strengths.
Through deep reflection, I identified that I wanted to work directly with individuals and groups as well as "behind the scenes" on curriculum, programs, and policies that support human development. Through reading and conversations, I saw that education could be a great space in which to do that type of work. Rather than obsess over what I should do forever,
I kept learning and experimenting to figure out what I wanted to do next.
I have been fortunate to work at public and private K-12 schools, colleges, and universities in Canada and the US in roles that span career counselling and education, academic advising and success, university admissions, mental health and wellness, identity development, and teaching. Career development is where I find the most joy and deepest connections between my (still numerous) interests, so it has been my primary focus since 2019.
First and foremost, I am fascinated by careers.
I spend a ton of time and energy learning about how careers "happen," so I draw from a broad base of knowledge -- in working with me, you'll gain insights from outside the bubble of a single field, function, or geographic area.
My expertise is in the career development process rather than one industry (finance) or one stage (job search).
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On a more formal level, my degrees are in psychology and education, and I hold the Certified Career Development Practitioner designation. My training includes courses in career development theory, counselling skills, curriculum development, and ethics for career development practitioners; my certification confirms my adherence to the National Competency Profile for Career Development Professionals, my industry-standard skills, and my commitment to ethical practices in career development. In a field in which practitioners aren't yet regulated, I take pride in the fact that this credential will soon become the Canadian national standard.​
Prior to launching my own practice, I spent 5 years as a career counsellor and professor of career development at 3
of Canada's top universities and colleges. I helped 1,500+ people from a wide range of backgrounds (in every sense of the word) reach greater career clarity and confidence. I helped 20+ academic departments customize their career education offerings to better meet their students' needs. I understand how career intersects with other areas of our lives, and have tools to guide individuals and groups of all ages, stages, and identities. I don't shy away from asking the hard questions, nor do I judge anyone for their answers. I guide people to reflect on how they got to where they are, envision multiple possibilities of where they want to go next, and identify strategic, evidence-based steps they can take to get there. I know that change may take some time, but I promise to make the journey meaningful and fun.
Finally, and most personally, I walk the walk, with multiple career changes and geographic moves on my own resume.
My career has never fit into a neat, little box, so I don't expect that your career or your students' careers will either; however, I have found joy, fulfillment, and success outside of the box, and know there is enough space for us all here.