The job market remains rough for seasoned professionals, never mind those just starting their careers. Seeing so many young people struggling to land their first job led Sandy Demarest, a former high school career counselor, to launch her own career-coaching firm. It targets college students and grads, and twenty-somethings looking for a better job.
"There is a quarter-life (not mid-life) career crisis for those starting out," says Demarest, founder and career coach with Demarest Career Directions. Her career-coaching program, called "Get Ready, Get Focused, Get Hired," includes career interest, skills, and personality assessments; lessons on branding, interviewing skills, resume writing and salary negotiation; learning from business leaders how to start a career successfully; practice interviews with human resource professionals; building a financial foundation taught by financial professionals; and other assistance for getting a job. Demarest mixes online within-person sessions.
"There's a lot of need. There are a lot of young people out there who don't know how to navigate a job search process and how to market themselves," Demarest says.
While recent grads are her primary audience, she markets to parents who can help foot the bill and want to help their adult children start careers (and get out of the house).
"I do some work with career changers as well," Demarest says. "I've had college students tell me what I offer should have been a college course."
For more information visit www.demarestcareerdirections.com.
Current Issue - May 2024