For parents
Your kid is smart, capable and talented.
But they don't know what to call what they want, and you don't know how to help them find it, because not every path and degree comes with a clear map.
That's not new. I've been helping people find it and translate their story into careers for 25 years.
If your kid’s degree doesn’t come with a clear job title attached to it—this is for you.
They might have studied Liberal Arts, creative fields, humanities, or pursued an interdisciplinary path.
Or they’ve switched majors, explored different directions, and still feel unsure about what comes next.
These degrees build real, valuable skills—critical thinking, communication, storytelling, strategy.
The problem isn’t the degree.
It’s that no one taught students how to translate those skills into a career someone will pay them for.
In today’s market, that gap feels even bigger.
That’s where families step in.
And the ones who get support early move faster—with more clarity and a lot less stress.
Meet your Coach
Hi, I'm Sam.
I spent 25 years recruiting creative talent for some of the most respected agencies and companies in the world — Wieden+Kennedy, Droga5, Ogilvy, Apple, Google. And I'm an ICF certified coach.
I know what's on the inside of these careers and inside the job search.
The job titles that don't show up in search results. The doors that don't have signs on them. The paths that only make sense once someone who knows the territory helps you see them. The insecurity, the comparison, the overwhelm, I work with all of it.
I'm also a mom of three daughters. I know exactly what it feels like to watch your kid struggle and not be able to fix it.
As an ICF certified coach and someone who's been on the inside of these industries and conversations for 25 years, I help them translate what they're good at into a career they can actually go find.
THE PROCESS. THEIR MAP.
Creative careers don't follow a straight line, and the standard job search playbook wasn't written for them. That's why we build something custom.
01
They have skills. They can't name them.
Four years of coursework built real ability. But nobody ever helped them articulate it in language a hiring manager understands.
02
The path isn't linear and nobody told them.
Creative careers don't follow the same playbook as finance or consulting. The hidden job market is real — and most students have no idea how to navigate it.
03
They're applying everywhere. Nothing is landing.
Doom-applying without a strategy isn't a job search — it's a spiral. What they need is clarity on who they are and where they'd actually thrive.
04
They need to build confidence within the process.
Interview prep, networking strategies all take awareness and practice so they can navigate the process with confidently.
DOES ANY OF THIS SOUND FAMILIAR?
"My child has made it very clear that they do not want to work in a corporate environment."
"Graduation is approaching and my daughter is searching without a strategy — and I'm not sure how to help."
"My son majored in Anthropology and minored in film. He has no idea what job he's looking for, so he applies to everything."
"My daughter has a marketing degree but she's not getting traction and she's really discouraged."
Find the Right Fit
True North Private Coaching
High school & early college
Deciding where you want to go to college and what you want to major in are big decisions. Sometimes the best advice is to talk to someone with no agenda but to listen, ask good questions and let the student start to see the path forward.
4–6 private 1:1 sessions
Identity-first: values, strengths, interests,
what lights them up
Direction before decisions
Investment
Discussed on your free intro call
Early Career Private Coaching
College juniors, seniors & recent grads
Students ready to build a real strategy but prefer to work 1:1
Format
Private 1:1 sessions with Sam
Who it's for
College students, and recent grads who are ready to figure out what's next
What they walk away with
Clarity on direction, a real plan, and the confidence to go after it
Investment
Discussed on your free intro call
How the work , works.
Every program — regardless of where your student is — moves through the same three phases. We start with who they are and build their MAP
M
Mindset
Values, strengths, what energizes them. The foundation has to be right before anything else makes sense.
Resume, LinkedIn, outreach, interviews. The practical pieces, done right, once we know what we're building toward.
A
Adventure
Real exploration — fields worth pursuing, people worth talking to. Direction starts to emerge here.
P
Pathfinding
Colleges, Majors, Resume, Outreach, interviews. The practical pieces, done right, once we know what we're building toward.
What parents say
"The first thing she wanted to do was speak with me about my son. That had not happened since high school. I knew from that meeting that she would be able to help. Within 6 weeks he accepted an offer from an ad agency. This NEVER would have happened without her help."
Kathy — parent of a University of Delaware grad
"We are so so so happy for Jake! We always believed in him but naturally nervous as parents — especially in this industry. This is a dream job and you really supported him and remained convinced he was on the right path. Thank you so much for your wisdom and guidance and faith."
Parent of a Syracuse University grad
"As you know, looking for employment is difficult and stressful for anyone. College supposedly prepares a person for a career but not much time, if at all, is spent on how to get the career job. The process of looking for employment is usually undefined and stressful. Career Compass Program provides structure (a framework to which to work with), organization, expertise guidance and training. In addition to concrete support, Career Compass lends support in undefined ways, as career searches can be lonely and disheartening for an individual. Sam's years of expertise in working with placing creative talent in career positions gives credibility and insight to those who are looking to enter into an industry that can often have an obscure pathway."
— Lisa Parent of Xavier University Grad
"Tim really enjoyed working with you, and I think he gained quite a few valuable skills even in the short timeframe. He is now much more focused when it comes to the types of jobs he's applying for, and he's regularly using LinkedIn to make connections. I know both of these things will serve him well."
Clare — parent of an American University grad
“Sam has an amazing amount of knowledge, expertise, and advice. But the really special part about working with her is her ability to work with clients on such a personal level. She has the perfect combination of gentle but firm guidance. She is professional and has excellent follow-through. I would highly recommend working with her.”
Parent of Current Temple University student
Let's talk
Not sure where to start?
That's exactly why we should meet.
I'd love to learn about your student and see if what I do is a good match. A 30-minute conversation is free. We'll talk about where they are, what they're up against, and whether working together makes sense.