Career Coaching
Figuring out what's next can be hard.
You don't have to go through it alone.
I am passionate about helping you on your career journey.
Thinking about your career — what to do, where to go, whether you're on the right track — is stressful. It brings up a lot. And the path is almost never straight or clean. I know that because I've lived it myself, more than once. I've also spent years on the other side of the table — teaching, mentoring, and guiding thousands of students and professionals through exactly where you are right now. Whether you're just starting out, thinking about a pivot, or ready for something new, I'm here to help you figure it out.
Joel understands career transitions. He has lived them himself. He has guided literally 1000s of students and professionals through this journey, and he has built and served as an advisor to numerous university programs.
Joel is a Professor at the University of Colorado. He is the founding director of the Masters of the Environment and Outdoor Recreation Economy graduate programs, two leading professional graduate programs. He also developed high school-college partnership programs for National Geographic, international programs for engineers at the University of Michigan, professional education certificate programs for the Outdoor Industry Association, internship programs for the University of New Hampshire, and numerous others. He has advised numerous professional organizations, universities, and companies to help smooth the university-workplace transition.
Along the way, Joel was an engineer in the automotive industry, a contractor for the Department of Energy, started and led a non-profit, has been a ranger for the National Park Service, been a successful entrepreneur, helped open a retail store in the outdoor industry, helped launch the first engineering abroad office at the University of Michigan, and is a consultant. He has also been on the other side of the table - he has interviewed and hired hundreds of people and has led large teams.
Where are you?
Finishing a degree
You've put in the years. Now the question is what to do with it. I help you translate what you've learned — and what you've done — into a clear direction and a real plan, not just the one your department hands you on the way out.
Just starting out
You’ll change your job ~3 times in the first 5 years of your career; 53% of professionals are not in the same career as their undergraduate major. You might be thinking about a change, you have questions, or there is pressure to look like you have it figured out when you don't. That's exactly what I'm here for.
Looking to pivot
Changing direction — a different sector, a different role, or just a different story about who you are professionally — takes real work. Let's figure out what your transferable skills are actually worth in the market you're moving into, and how to make that case.
Ready for something new
Sometimes it's not a crisis — it's just time. You've been good at what you do, and you're ready to take that somewhere else. I help you figure out where that is, and how to get there without starting from zero.
Personal. Relational. Tailored for you.
Thinking about your career — what to do, where to go, whether you're on the right track — is stressful. It brings up a lot. And the path is almost never straight or clean. I know that because I've lived it myself, more than once. I've also spent years on the other side of the table — teaching, mentoring, and guiding thousands of students and professionals through exactly where you are right now. Whether you're just starting out, thinking about a pivot, or ready for something new, I'm here to help you figure it out.
Services
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Single Strategy Session
One focused hour on whatever's in front of you right now. Your resume, a decision you're sitting on, how to position yourself, how to prepare for an interview — you set the agenda. Most people leave with more clarity than they expected.
60 mins · 1:1 video call
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Career Design
For people who need more than one conversation to make a real change. Over 4–8 weeks, we work through your positioning, identify what your transferable skills are worth in the market you're targeting, build your application strategy, and get you ready to negotiate. Defined milestones. Clear direction. A plan that's actually yours.
4-8 sessions · Milestones & Deliverables · Defined Timeframe
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In Your Corner
This is different from coaching with a curriculum. It's having someone you can call when something comes up — interview prep, networking, negotiating the offer, getting settled into a new role, navigating career transition and questions. We check in weekly or every other week, and I'm available between sessions when things arise. For people who are in it and need steady support along the way, not a program with a start and end date.
Tailored to meet your needs.
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Materials, Networking, Positioning
A focused sprint on your resume, LinkedIn, and the story you're telling about yourself. For people who are heading into a search and need everything to be working. Includes two live sessions and written feedback in between.
2 live sessions + written review · Resume, LinkedIn, bio
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Cohort Workshops & Seminars
Half-day and full-day sessions for graduate programs, university departments, or organizations supporting people through a career transition. Built around where your group actually is, not a generic curriculum.
Custom format · In-person or virtual · Customized for your audience
LET'S TALK.You don’t have to have it figured out before you reach out.
Fill out a quick form — tell me where you are and what you're trying to work through. I'll follow up within 48 hours and we'll go from there.