Kind words from my clients

  • "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

    Chief Creative Officer, McGarrah Jessee

  • “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

  • "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

  • "Sam's career coaching has been incredibly helpful and insightful as I've been navigating the next chapter in my career. But most importantly, her expertise and genuine interest in helping her students really shines through. You become a part of a community, as well, where there's a real sense of a collective support system. I'd highly recommend YourCareerCompass for anyone wanting to either take the next step in their career or pivot into another profession.

    Nick Choremi

    Freelance Associate Creative Director (Art) | Ex. R/GA, BBDO, TBWA

  • After struggling to find answers to justify career choices, I started working with Sam. Thanks to her attentive listening skills, I heard through my noise and began to listen to myself — not an easy task. This is a discovery and in my opinion, is a worthwhile process for clarity. The insights earned have enabled me to make intentional choices that align with my creative vision, even if that means staying the course.

    —Flavio Arnizant de Zorzi Award-Winning AD | Former Droga5 and Mother Creative

  • I was struggling to find any work in my field and my dad helped me find Samantha and I could not be more grateful for how much she has helped me and boost my way into getting work. Her process and how to navigate the film industry and make the connections was incredible and not at all how I was doing it before. Because of her I was able to find a mentor who is helping me get on sets and I just got my union paperwork. If anybody was to need someone to help boost their way into the industry, Samantha has got you!—

    Brendan Mades Freelance Production Assistant

  • "Working with Sam through Your Career Compass has been one of the most transformative coaching experiences I’ve had. Sam is not just a coach, she is deeply intentional in her practice, creating a space where you feel truly seen and heard. What I appreciate most is her ability to ask questions that act like a mirror, reflecting back the integrity of your intentions and helping you confront the burdens you carry. She has an incredible gift for guiding you to recognize whether those burdens are quietly harmful or, in fact, allies to your growth as a professional, leader, and human being. Her coaching has helped me untangle complex emotions and ambitions, allowing me to move forward with greater clarity, purpose, and self-trust. I am deeply grateful for Sam’s insight, wisdom, and compassionate challenge, and I highly recommend her to anyone seeking authentic, meaningful transformation in their career and life.

    Doris Komla Educator | Strategist | Creative Leader | Reimagining Learning and Community Healing Through Equity-Driven Innovation

  • Working with Sam during my career pivot is truly a game-changer. She’s incredibly personable and has a real talent for helping you dig deep to figure out what matters most in your next move. Her program not only helps you connect the dots between your skills and your goals but also creates amazing opportunities for networking and learning through carefully curated events and sessions. Thanks to her support, I feel more confident, clear, and excited about where I’m headed. I’m so grateful to have had her in my corner!

    Bethany Day Creative Project & Operations Coordinator | People-First Problem Solver

  • I had the privilege of working with Sam through a time of big cross roads in my life. Personal and professional were colliding in a way I had never experienced before. Her kindness coupled with the engaging and thoughtful work we did together really helped me to through. Discovering how interictal my core values and balance would be in this next chapter has been a game changer. I highly recommend working with Sam if you're looking to unlock and grow in your journey.

    — Samantha Yeager Director of Retail Supply Chain at SoulCycle Inc.

  • 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

  • "I spent the summer doing coaching with Sam who was thoughtful, empathetic, and helped me understand myself and my values better. She truly has a talent for coaching and created a safe space for me to work through so many things I was struggling with. I’ll be forever greatful for the experience – Thank you Sam!

    — Tori Ashton Psychology and Sociology @ Brown University

  • "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

  • “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

  • "I’ve been a huge fan of yours since our first chat back when you first started recruiting. Even when I was toting around a student book of cut and tape headlines, you were so cool and kind to me. I would always listen with rapt envy when my friends who you represented raved about you. :) I couldn’t be more supportive of your new chapter and I think it’s sorely needed. I can only imagine how many people you’ll help."

    —Sean Vij

    Freelance Creative Director /Copywriter

Your Path. Your Goals. Your Success

Client success is individual and is based on many factors, including your current situation, perspective, life and work experience, interests, skills, confidence and individual goals.

Recent Grad Success Stories

  • A senior creative operations leader (considering client-side, agency, or entrepreneurial roles) came in feeling overqualified and uncertain. By the end, they had a clear narrative of their transferable skills, confidence in salary conversations, and were actively pursuing interviews while exploring a business idea.

  • A late-career professional who had experienced ageism and financial stress re-entered the job search unsure if they should seek full-time work, freelance, or pivot entirely. We worked together to reframe their value, expand options, and restore confidence in positioning themselves with clarity.

  • A professional in tech sales who was excelling but deeply unfulfilled wanted to explore a more creative path. Through reflection and structured testing, they uncovered their passion for comedy/content creation and are now pursuing that direction strategically while leveraging their existing skills.

  • A professional moving from the museum world into advertising began in an academic/cultural environment and was unsure how to reposition for agency roles. We identified their transferable skills, reframed the narrative, and mapped a networking approach that led to their first role in an ad agency.

Let's Meet!

  • A graduate with internship experience at a top advertising agency was overwhelmed by balancing job boards, networking, and tailoring application materials. Together we streamlined the approach, created clear outreach scripts, and built confidence in turning conversations into referrals leading to warm introductions in major markets.

  • An English major seeking editorial and publishing roles had applied to hundreds of jobs without traction. Coaching focused on clarifying positioning, narrowing targets, and making alumni outreach more strategic. The shift from mass applying to intentional networking created a clear roadmap forward.

  • An aspiring creative professional interested in art direction was uncertain whether to pursue portfolio school or apply directly to industry roles. Through reflection and structured exploration, they clarified career goals, refined their story, and mapped actionable next steps with confidence.

  • A graduate passionate about comedic and reality-based storytelling felt torn between long-term creative ambitions and immediate job needs. We broke down a staircase approach, starting with realistic entry points like PA or assistant roles, and developed a networking plan rooted in specific outreach and events leaving them with clarity, structure, and momentum.

Career Pivot & Leadership Success Stories