Early Career Pathways
Clarity. Strategy. Momentum — wherever you are in the journey.
Whether you’re preparing early, launching your senior job search, or navigating life after graduation, there is a structured next step.
YOUR CAREER RAMP: 🟢 Jumpstart (Foundation) ---> 🟡 The Bridge (Momentum) ---> 🔵 The Sprint (Launch)
How I help
Hi, I'm Sam, a former creative recruiter in Advertising, Marketing, Branding, and Design turned ICF-certified coach.
I work with people early in their careers to figure out what their true potential is and develop a strategic plan to achieve their career goals.
I have partnered with companies like W+K, Apple, CAA, BBDO, Mother, Gretel, Rockstar Games, and hundreds of others to identify talent in creative, account, and strategy.
I use this real-world experience, coupled with thoughtful coaching, to help early career seekers find their way and launch their careers.
Find Your Starting Line
The MAP framework is my proven, recruiter-informed roadmap for the creative industry. The content is the same—but the tempo depends on your timeline.
🟢 Junior Jumpstart
The Strategic On-Ramp Best for: Sophomores, Juniors, and Fall Seniors
Most students wait until their final semester to figure out how to talk to grow their network update their material and talk to recruiters. The Jumpstart is for those who want to do it when the stakes are lower
Using my recruiter-informed MAP Framework, we do the deep work before the pressure hits. We architect your professional identity.
The Audit: A brutal, honest look at your current experience through the lens of a hiring manager.
The Narrative: Building the "Story of You" so you can walk into any internship interview with a clear, confident value proposition.
The Internship and Job Search Blueprint: Turning your new assets and confidence into an active outreach strategy
Investment: $599 (Founding Cohort Limited to 16 Seats)
[Explore the Junior Jumpstart]
🔵 Senior Sprint
The Execution Fast-Track Best for: Graduating Seniors and Recent Grads
When graduation is around the corner, you don’t have time for a "slow build"—you need to move. The Senior Sprint takes the same MAP Framework and applies it to the live market at high velocity.
We focus on the "final mile" of the job search: high-intensity outreach, interview mastery, and offer negotiation.
The Pivot: Rapidly refining your positioning to meet the immediate needs of today's agencies.
The Outreach: Moving past the "Apply" button and into the inboxes of the people who actually hire.
The Close: Interview prep and strategy to ensure that when you get the call, you are ready and confident
Investment: $599 (Founding Cohort Limited to 16 Seats)
[ Explore Senior Sprint ]
⚫ 1:1 Private Coaching
The Tailored Partnership Best for: Creatives seeking a completely personalized, high-touch roadmap.
If your path doesn't fit into a 6-week cohort or if you simply want my undivided attention on your narrative this is for you. Private coaching is the most intensive way to work with me, providing a custom application of the MAP framework tailored specifically to your unique goals, timeline, and creative discipline.
Customized Pace: We move as fast or as deep as you need, focusing on your specific roadblocks.
Granular Feedback: In-depth, 1:1 reviews of your portfolio, resume, and LinkedIn that go far beyond a group setting.
Unlimited Access: Ongoing support and direct "Recruiter-in-your-pocket" access to troubleshoot real-time opportunities and networking hurdles. Personalized Support at any stage.
The Bridge Option: Once your private sessions are complete, you have the option to transition into The Bridge for ongoing monthly mentorship and guest sessions until you land your role or continue 1:1.
[ Explore 1:1 Coaching ]
What Comes After the Jumpstart or the Sprint?
🟡The Bridge: Your Strategic Safety Net
One Program. Ongoing Support.
Whether you start as a Junior or launch as a Senior, everyone lands in the same place: The Bridge. Once you complete the 6-week curriculum (either through the Jumpstart or the Sprint), you become a member of our alumni-only mentorship circle. You don't need to take the "other" class you already got the playbook.
The Bridge is where we stay in the work together for $50/month, providing the live troubleshooting, guest CD sessions, and community support you need until you land.
Exclusive to Alumni of the Junior Jumpstart & Senior Sprint
The creative industry doesn't move in a straight line. The Bridge is the year-round mentorship space where we navigate the "in-between" together. It’s a dedicated circle for students and grads who have the foundation and are now doing the work.
What’s inside the Circle:
The Monthly Mentorship Circle: A 60-minute live, group coaching session with Sam to troubleshoot your active search. Whether you’re stuck on a cover letter or prepping for a second-round interview, this is where we solve it in real-time.
The "Recruiter Lens" Guest Series: Exclusive access to live Q&As with Creative Directors, Agency Recruiters, and Strategists. You’ll hear what they are looking for right now—not what the textbooks say from three years ago.
Active Application Support: Real-time feedback on your outreach. We look at what’s working, what isn’t, and how to pivot your strategy based on market feedback.
The Peer Network: A curated community of ambitious creatives at your level. Share leads, trade portfolio feedback, and find your "work-besties" before you even start the job.
The "Until You Land" Promise: The search doesn’t always end when a 6-week program does. The Bridge stays active all year (including through the summer) so you have expert support until you sign your offer.
YOUR CAREER RAMP: 🟢 Jumpstart (Foundation) ---> 🟡 The Bridge (Momentum) ---> 🔵 The Sprint
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“If you work in advertising and aren’t talking to Sam, you’re missing out. She’s not just an incredible recruiter, she’s more like an ad world Yoda. Over the years, Sam has helped me land gigs, but more than that, she’s been a sounding board, a trusted advisor, a source of sharp insight, and someone I’ve leaned on for honest advice when I’ve needed it most. She just gets it—the industry, the people, the nuance. Whether you’re job hunting, navigating a tricky professional moment, or just need a smart take on something, Sam is your career’s secret weapon.” Steve Fogel Group Executive Creative Director at Ogilvy
Steve Fogel Group Executive Creative Director at Ogilvy
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"Sam and I met back when I was recruiting for an agency and she was an external headhunter. I instantly connected with her because she was genuine, a great listener, had great taste and always supplied candidates that were a great fit. Sam was never trying to "make the placement", she was genuinely interested in the needs of the agency and also the career trajectory of the candidate. That was her sweet spot and what makes her so good at her job - truly helping the candidate figure out what their best career move is and then helping them land it. Sam is incredibly connected and has excellent judgment in helping people determine their superpower and position their skills to land their dream job. I trust Sam's taste, advice and heart.” implicitly."
Amy Starkman Global Talent Operations Director at Wieden + Kennedy
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"For going on 20 years, Sam has helped me gain clarity, navigate big decisions, and shape the direction of my career. If you're looking for some of the same, I've got three words for you: go see Sam." Jon Wagner ECD TBWA/Chiat-Day
Jon Wagner ECD TBWA/Chiat-Day
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"I love Sam because I trust Sam. She has always picked up the phone when I call, and she always tells me the truth but in a way that we both end up laughing together. At every pivotal moment, transition, move, promotion in my career I've had Sam in my ear, brain and heart.”
Tim Roan - Former Chief Creative Officer, McGarrah Jessee
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“Sam found my book in the most unorthodox of ways. She recognized potential and talent in me as a junior creative coming from a smaller shop with not a ton of produced work that really felt representative of my capabilities as a creative copywriter. Not only did Sam help me land two job offers in a tough industry to break into, but she became my go-to when I needed career advice over the years. Though it wasn't her official job at the time, Sam was a personal career coach to me as I received other offers and worked out how to navigate the advertising industry as a whole. Unlike many recruiters I'd worked with, I never felt that Sam's advice was self-serving. She nudged me in the direction that she knew would be best for me, not the one that would land her a bigger bonus check. We'd all be lucky to have someone looking out for us as much as Sam looks out for her creatives.” Hallie Cain Associate Creative Director / Copy at BBDO New York
Hallie Cain Associate Creative Director / Copy at BBDO New York
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"Sam tactfully identified areas of improvement to help optimize my job search and increase visibility. I was told I was not alone in feeling overwhelmed by the transition from education to work.” ."
Jillian — Ithaca College
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"Sam is thoughtful, knowledgeable, and kind. Her expertise is beyond helpful in navigating the world of creative careers (and even that sounds like an understatement!) Anybody would be lucky to learn from her and acquire skills that are valuable not just for recent grads but for life". Emily Powers ‘24 Parsons
Emily —Parsons
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"Working with Sam has been an incredible experience throughout my job search journey! Her support, advice, and genuine interest in my career aspirations made all the difference. Sam's ability to understand my strengths and match them with the right opportunities was invaluable. They not only provided guidance every step of the way but also instilled confidence in me during the process."
Bella — Sarah Lawrence
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"Your Career Compass was an excellent tool in organizing my thoughts and vision for my future. Through weekly calls with Sam, I was able to not only get a clear vision of my big career goals- but also got a step closer each time with calculated action. Her guidance kept me focused and accountable, even when I felt overwhelmed. I absolutely feel more confident in navigating my career path! "
Jake —Syracuse University
Your Questions, Answered
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The short answer: No.
Here’s why: The Bridge is a high-level mentorship space designed for active execution. To make our monthly sessions as valuable as possible, every member needs to be "speaking the same language."
Whether you start with the Junior Jumpstart (Foundation) or the Senior Sprint (Execution), those programs give you the essential recruiter-informed toolkit—your Narrative, your STAR stories, and your Portfolio Audit.
We skip the "how-to" and go straight to the "how is it going?" By keeping the Bridge exclusive to alumni, we ensure that every live session is focused on troubleshooting real-world applications, networking, and interviews with a group that is already prepared to win.
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Actually, it’s the best time to start. The creative industry moves fast, and waiting until your Senior year to build your professional narrative is what leads to the "graduation cliff." Starting with the Junior Jumpstart gives you the luxury of time to build your assets, secure better internships
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es. We have a "Fast-Track" on-ramp for late joiners. You’ll get immediate access to the recorded modules (The Vault) to build your foundation, and then you’ll sync up with the live community on the Bridge or in the next available Sprint. You aren’t "behind"—you’re just on a different timeline.
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It’s a coaching circle. Unlike the Jumpstart or the Sprint—which follow a specific 6-session curriculum—The Bridge is live, ongoing mentorship. We focus on what’s happening in your search right now. It’s where we troubleshoot ghosting recruiters, prep for specific interviews, and hear from guest industry leaders.
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We celebrate! The Bridge is designed to support you until you land. Once you sign your offer, you can choose to stay for "First 90 Days" support to ensure you crush your new role, or you can graduate from the circle and join our alumni network.
