Early Career Program or 1:1 Coaching
Launch your career
with confidence and a plan.
Chose from the Launch Lab a 6 week cohort-based program for students, recent grads, and early-career creatives who are tired of figuring it out alone or Private 1:1 Coaching
You'll work through the MAP framework with Sam guiding every step — bringing 20 years of creative industry recruiting insight to your job search and career strategy.
Join the Summer cohort
Spots are limited
WHO THE LAUNCH LAB IS FOR
Current students
You're still in school but want to get ahead — building clarity, direction, and a strategy before you graduate so you're not starting from zero.
WHO 1:1 COACHING IS FOR
Recent grads
You graduated and now you're stuck. You're applying everywhere and hearing nothing back — or you don't even know what you should be applying for.
Early career (1-3 years in)
You're in your first role but it doesn't feel right — or you want to pivot into something that actually fits before you get too far down the wrong path.
Early Career Seekers who want private, focused coaching, just me and Sam.
Two ways to work together.
Compass
12 sessions of private 1:1 coaching over 4 months, and email support throughout the engagement. Built entirely around you. This is for the person who doesn't know what's next and needs the time and space to discover it.
Investment Discussed during the clarity call
Compass Launch
6 sessions of private 1:1 coaching over 2 months. This is for the person who knows exactly what they want and needs support going after it.
$3750
Not sure which one is right? That's what the free intro call is for. I will help you decide what level of support you need to reach your goals
Bridgeing the Gap Between College and Career
Launch Lab integrates deep coaching work with insider recruiting perspective. Students gain clarity on who they are, strategy for how to position themselves, and the structure and accountability to follow through.
Meet Your Coach
Hi, I'm Sam — an ICF Certified Coach (ACC), trained through Brown University's ACT program, and a former recruiter in advertising, marketing, branding, and design.
I've supported students from Syracuse, Brown, Wesleyan, UT Austin, Northeastern, Delaware, Hamilton, Emerson, Ithaca, and Binghamton through the transition from college to career.
Before coaching, I placed early-career talent at agencies like Wieden+Kennedy, Mother, BBDO, Droga5, Ogilvy, and Landor, and at companies including Apple, Google, Lyft, CAA, and Brooks Running.
I’ve reviewed thousands of resumes and portfolios and worked directly with hiring managers which means I know exactly what gets someone filtered out in 10 seconds, and exactly what makes a recruiter stop and pay attention.
Chose either The Launch Lab or personalized 1:1 Coaching. Both are built from everything I've learned — on both sides of the hiring table.
“If you work in advertising and aren't talking to Sam, you're missing out. She's more like an ad world Yoda. 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, HighDive
"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
What we will cover.
Six sessions. Each one builds on the last. Each one leaves you with something real.
01 __You Are a Brand. Let's Figure Out What It Stands For.
Values, future self, and your Single Minded Proposition. The recruiter sees 100 applications and has 10 minutes. The confused candidate gets cut first. We fix that here.
02__Own Your Story.
Your resume is a thesis: direction at the top, evidence below. We audit your resume, LinkedIn, and portfolio through a recruiter's lens — and translate your experience into the language of the job you want.
03__Research Like a Recruiter.
Most jobs are never posted. We build your target list of 15–20 companies and 15–20 people using the same tools and logic a recruiter uses. The hidden job market stops being a mystery.
04__Reach Out Without Being Weird.
Networking isn't schmoozing. It's curiosity. You're doing a documentary — and you need to interview 25 people to figure out who's in your film. You'll leave with 3 personalized messages drafted and sent.
05__Interview Like You Belong There.
An interview isn't a test. It's a conversation between two people figuring out if there's a fit. We do real mock interviews, real feedback, and cover everything after — the thank you note, the follow-up, the shell game.
06__Offers, Negotiation & What's Next.
Know your number. Own your timeline. You'll leave with a salary script, a negotiation framework, and a 30-day action plan that keeps the momentum going after the program ends.
A Shared Framework. Individual Goals.
• 6 Live Weekly Sessions
• Structured Worksheets & Templates
• Small Cohort Experience
• Weekly Implementation Tasks
• Office Hours & Q&A
• Community Support
75 Minute Sessions
You will graduate from the Launch Lab with clarity, confidence, momentum and a plan
For parents & guardians
Supporting a student or recent grad?
Many families invest in Launch Lab on behalf of their kids. Sam works directly with your student — and is happy to answer your questions about what the program involves and whether it's the right fit before you commit.
Each Launch Lab cohort brings together students at different points in the early-career journey, from internship preparation to full-time job search to post-grad momentum building.
They follow the same structured, recruiter-informed process while pursuing goals unique to their stage.
Different timelines. One intentional path forward.
Job Search Accelerator for Seniors about to graduate, Recent Grads and Internship Seekers
*Choose the Cohort that best supports your timeline and goals*
The Fall Cohort
Real-time support during peak recruiting season
Sept 28 · Oct 5, 19, 26 · Nov 2, 9
Enrollment closes Sept 20 · 8 spots
Best for: seniors actively interviewing, juniors pursuing competitive internships, recent grads reinvigorating their search
The Summer Cohort
Lock in positioning before fall recruiting
June 8, 15, 22, 29 · July 6, 13
Enrollment closes June 1 · 8 spots
Best for: recent grads without offers, juniors prepping for fall internships, students who want a strong foundation before the chaos starts
The Winter Cohort
Structured reset before spring hiring accelerates
Jan 25 · Feb 1, 8, 15, 22 · Mar 1
Enrollment closes Jan 18 · 8 spots
Best for: seniors who didn't land a fall offer, juniors preparing for spring internship recruiting, recent grads who need a structured reset
Standard Tuition
$1000
The Launch Labs are structured, recruiter-informed, 6-session Pathfinding program designed to help creative seniors enter the job market with an active network, clarity, positioning, and momentum.
Join the Summer Cohort · 8 spots
June 8th
5:00pm - 6:15pm
Looking for a more bespoke experience?
If you prefer to move through the MAP framework on your own timeline with 1:1 attention on your specific goals and narrative, Private Coaching is available. We can fast-track the foundation and focus exclusively on your unique goals.
What you'll have when you're done.
Not a certificate. Not a workbook. Actual deliverables.
✓ Your Single Minded Proposition — one sentence a recruiter will remember
✓ Your top values identified and translated into a job search filter
✓ A keyword-optimized LinkedIn headline and About section
✓ A resume that reads like a thesis, not a job description
✓ A portfolio audit with a clear roadmap for what's missing
✓ A target list of 15–20 companies and 15–20 people worth knowing
✓ 3 personalized outreach messages — drafted, sent, and tracked
✓ Real interview practice with honest feedback from peers
✓ A thank you note framework for every scenario
✓ Your salary number and the exact words to say it out loud
✓ A 30-day action plan pointed at your dream
Are you unclear what job you are looking for?
Clarity is the beginning. You can’t build your launch unless you know where you are headed.
The clarity lab is a self paced course that includes two 1:1 sessions with Sam.
If you are not sure about your path, this is the step before the Launch
Learn More
Your Questions, Answered
What if I'm not sure what career I want?
You're in the right place — and you're in good company. Not knowing exactly what you want is one of the most common starting places. Session 1 is built specifically for this: we do the inner work before any of the tactical stuff, because clarity about direction is what makes everything else work.
What if I miss a live session?
Every session is recorded. Watch the replay, complete the exercises, and bring your specific questions to the next live session. The work still works — it just needs doing.
Do I need a portfolio?
No. Not every creative role requires one. But if yours does, this is actually the best time to join — not after your portfolio is 'finished.' Most students wait until everything is perfect and then realize their narrative is missing. We audit your work as it is and tell you exactly what's needed, so you're not building pieces that won't help you get hired.
Is this only for advertising and design?
No. The framework applies to any creative field — art direction, copywriting, design, strategy, film, account management, marketing, and more. The recruiter lens we use is universal. What changes is the vocabulary. That's something we work through together.
What happens after the 6 sessions?
You have the option to move into The Bridge — a $50/month community with monthly live group coaching, guest industry sessions, and real-time feedback on applications, outreach, and interviews. The search doesn't end when the program does. The Bridge keeps you supported until you sign your offer and beyond.
The calendar is the one thing we can't negotiate.
Graduation happens once. Internship recruiting windows open and close on someone else's timeline.
If you're a senior, a recent grad, or a junior who's tired of applying and hoping — this is the Sprint.
-
"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
-
"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
-
“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
-
"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
-
"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
-
"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
Ready to launch with
clarity and a real plan?
Join the March 23 cohort at the founding member price Only 8 spots and enrollment closes March 16.
$1,000