What do I need to bring to my first coaching session?

In addition to one-on-one coaching, we provide access to a carefully curated library of tools and resources. These include guided worksheets, reflection exercises, goal-setting frameworks, and career development templates that extend the work done in sessions. Many of our clients appreciate having these tangible materials to refer to between sessions, as they serve as both reminders and motivators to keep going, even when the path gets uncertain.

A major highlight of Careers by Design is its team of certified and experienced coaches. These professionals are not only ICF-accredited but also bring decades of practical experience in helping professionals from a wide range of industries, including business, healthcare, technology, education, and the arts. Coaches like Jeanet Lamoca and Linda Faucheux bring 25 years of experience each, specializing in leadership coaching, executive transitions, and personal growth. Their backgrounds in psychotherapy, higher education, and systems thinking allow them to offer deep, intuitive, and actionable guidance.

As the relationship deepens, the coaching process often becomes a space for envisioning and designing entirely new futures. Clients may uncover dreams they had long set aside or discover new passions they never thought possible. A mid-level manager might decide to launch a nonprofit. A marketing executive may pivot into coaching themselves. An early-career professional might discover a calling in social justice work or public policy. These shifts are not always immediate, but they are powerful. They represent the reclaiming of possibility, the unfreezing of potential, and the radical act of choosing a life that reflects one's truth.

Transformation in a career context often requires letting go of long-held beliefs about success, stability, and self-worth. Many clients come into the coaching process with deeply internalized narratives-stories they've been told or have told themselves about what they can and cannot do. These stories may stem from cultural norms, family expectations, educational experiences, or years spent in environments that didn't foster growth. One of the most powerful aspects of coaching is uncovering these narratives, questioning their validity, and replacing them with perspectives that reflect your actual strengths, desires, and potential.

We also address the very real systemic and structural challenges that people face in the workforce. Whether you're contending with bias, underrepresentation, glass ceilings, or lack of mentorship, we acknowledge these barriers without letting them define your limitations. We work together to build resilience, advocacy strategies, and access to networks and resources that can support your growth in the face of these challenges. This acknowledgment of the broader landscape ensures our coaching is not only personally empowering but also socially aware and contextually grounded.

What truly sets our approach apart is the commitment to treating every client as a whole person-not just as a résumé or a job title. We understand that career choices are deeply intertwined with identity, values, relationships, lifestyle goals, and even cultural expectations. That's why we take the time to uncover not just what you do, but who you are, what you care about, and what kind of life you want to build. This holistic understanding shapes every conversation and recommendation, ensuring that your next career move doesn't just look good on paper but actually feels right in your day-to-day life.