For Parents
They're coming home.
Do they have a plan?
Do they know what they want to do?
How long will you give them before you ask the question they'll shrug off and not answer?
If they need a plan — and you need someone other than you to help them make it — let's talk.
Y
Meet your Coach
Hi, I'm Sam.
I'm an ICF-certified coach (ACC), trained through Brown University's ACT program, and a former recruiter in advertising, marketing, branding, and design. Before coaching, I spent 25 years placing early-career talent at agencies like Wieden+Kennedy, Droga5, BBDO, Ogilvy, and Mother — and at companies including Apple, Google, Lyft, CAA, and Brooks Running.
I've reviewed thousands of resumes and portfolios. I've sat with hiring managers and understood exactly what makes someone stand out. I know what gets people hired — and what gets in the way.
I've worked with students and recent grads from Syracuse, Brown, Wesleyan, UT Austin, Northeastern, Emerson, Ithaca, Binghamton, Hamilton, and Delaware — all navigating that in-between space after college.
But you can't look for a job if you don't know what job you want.
The urgency your kid feels to figure it out, get started, begin their adult life — that's real and it's good. But when they don't know what they're moving toward, that urgency turns into pressure. And pressure without direction shows up everywhere: in their search, in their interviews, in how they talk about themselves. The most important thing they can do right now isn't update their resume. It's get clear on what they actually want. That's where we start.
The process
How this works
It's not about telling them what to do. It's about helping them figure out who they are — and building from there.
01
We start with identity, not résumés
Before we touch career paths or job boards, we do the mindset work. Values, strengths, what energizes them, what’s in the way. The foundation has to be right.
Because all the reach outs lists won’t help if you kid is afraid to send the email.
02
We build real direction
Not a vague "follow your passion" plan. A Real exploration, fields worth pursuing, people worth talking to, a strategy that matches who they actually are.
03
We get them moving with confidence
Once the foundation is set, that’s when we can do the Résumé, LinkedIn, outreach, interviews — the practical pieces, done right, once they know what they're building toward. Skills that serve them for life, not just this job search.
1:1 Private Coaching
Compass
We start with identity, values, strengths, what’s in the way and what lights them up. Then we build the path: the research, the outreach, the resume, the interviews. Everything they need to move from uncertain to unstoppable.
Format
Private 1:1 sessions with Sam
Who it's for
High school seniors, 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
Let's talk
Not sure where to start?
That's exactly why we should meet.
I'd love to learn about your kid 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.
Kind words from a few parents
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My son, a recent graduate with a B.A. in Marketing, was struggling to land a job in the advertising industry. His current employer wanted to relocate him upon completing the sales management training program. The pressure was on to find a career in the field he wanted. Christmas was coming. My husband and I decided to give our son sessions with a career coach as a Christmas gift.
I found Sam via Google. I saw that she worked with recent grads and knew the advertising industry. I reached out. 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. Not only did she help him with the job search, her networking event was an amazing opportunity and he is now working on getting a certification in strategic marketing.
Meeting Sam has changed his life forever. Sam will have him as a client for the rest of her career. We all agree that hiring Sam was THE BEST CHRISTMAS GIFT EVER!!!
Kathy
Parent of a College Grad
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"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
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“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 Jake and remained convinced he was on the right path. It’s a dream come true. Thank you so much for your wisdom and guidance and faith! " Parent of Syracuse University Grad -
“Tim really enjoyed working with you, and I think he gained quite a few valuable skills even in the short timeframe. For example, I know he is now much more focused when it comes to the types of jobs he is applying for, and he is regularly using LinkedIn to determine connections where he applies. I know both of these things will serve him well as he continues his search."— Clare Parent of American University Grad