Thinking back to 2002, when I decided to take a career break after the birth of my second child, the future was a complete unknown. Looking back 20 years later, I am incredibly grateful for the winding path that led me to career coaching. I’m eager to share some of my experiences with you, especially for those considering a 90 day career coach program.
My early career followed a more traditional trajectory. After graduating with a computer science degree, I joined IBM in sales. An MBA followed, leading to roles at Monsanto, developing business in China, and then at a Silicon Valley life science startup, establishing channels in key Asian markets. During this phase, my career path seemed quite clear and linear. However, re-entering the job market after my career break presented a different landscape. There were definitely missteps and detours that, in retrospect, led nowhere. I often think about how beneficial a structured approach, like a 90 day career coach program, would have been to navigate the ambiguity I faced during that relaunch period. Despite the challenges, I value the time for exploration and community involvement I had during that period.
My professional return revealed my strengths in learning and teaching. Becoming an adjunct professor at UCSD opened doors to coaching and mentoring STEM founders and professionals. Building on this online learning experience, I became a facilitator for HBS Publishing, contributing to their global management training programs. While teaching and mentoring have been impactful, the one-on-one interaction in coaching has proven to be the most fulfilling aspect of my career. Becoming certified as a “First 90 Days” transition coach, based on the best-selling onboarding framework, has allowed me to assist numerous Fortune 500 leaders (including names like Nike, Google, and Qualcomm) in successfully acclimating to new enterprise leadership roles. This type of focused support is often a key component of a comprehensive 90 day career coach program.
From my journey, the most crucial lesson has been the power of community and belonging. As someone who has navigated career transitions and now guides others through their professional journeys, I look forward to sharing insights from my experiences – from the classroom to the boardroom – with you. While my path wasn’t a direct route through a health coach institute, the principles of personal growth and development are universally applicable in career transitions, much like they are in health and wellness. Perhaps exploring a 90 day career coach program, even with elements inspired by a health coach institute’s holistic approach, could be a powerful step for your career relaunch.
