I started working with folks in career change 22 years ago as a Vocational Rehabilitation Counselor.  After training with Richard Bolles, I transitioned to working with adults in career transition.  Following my call or mission to bring art education worldwide to kids of all ages, I founded and developed KidzArt (www.kidzart.com) for the next 11 years, which led me right back to Career Path Counseling.  My personal career path has had natural twists and turns, but from the time I developed my personal Roadmap, these transitions have been effortless.

2. Why do you call it Career Path Counseling – I have never heard that term?

I inserted the word “Path” into my title because it represents how the career journey is never linear – there are generally twists and turns that most of us take on our “path”.  It can be confusing to know what to do and expect to feel confident when it’s time to make a shift without some kind of focus or direction which is where the Path starts.  The beginning of that Path is the Roadmap.  A road can include forks that can lead you in a completely new direction, as founding KidzArt was for me.  But, here’s the difference – although KidzArt was very different than career counseling, it still involved elements that required the SAME SKILLS, a similar working environment, people I enjoyed working with and so on.  This was an easy transition for me that made perfect sense.  Had I not had my roadmap, I may not have even founded this now successful company that has clearly helped millions of kids of all ages develop artistic skills and a love of art, while providing new business owners will meaningful and creative work.

3. Who are your clients?

First and foremost, my clients are individuals who are truly ready to make a change and are exceptionally motivated to take the next steps and commit to a soul-searching process.  They are not passive but ready to take control of their lives following a system that works.  They are older teens and young adults looking to define a direction before heading off to college and being forced to choose a major before exploring possibilities that lead to  essentially “winging it”.  They are college graduates who are not ready to commit to more education, yet want to build a professional career utilizing their skills and leveraging a college education  and their college major.  They are mid-life career changers (39 plus) who are looking to redefine their lives, do what they love and make a good living doing it.  They are women who are recently divorced or are in the midst of redefining their lives and career.

4. How is what you do for teens and young adults different than what you do for older career changers?

The system is the same for everyone.  However, different age groups have unique needs and are dealing with unique issues.  For example, teens and young adults don’t necessarily want to commit to a career, but need education and practice using career-related tools to define who they are in relation to the world of work, and to define one or two majors consistent with their personalities that will challenge them. College graduates have already committed to a major and may need specific tools to get from College to Career that are unique to this group. Mid-life Career Changers may have specific ideas about what they want to do, and are looking for confirmation or guidance to move in another direction. 

5. What is the Passion to Career System?

As the name implies, the system is a step by step approach of exercises and one on one coaching specifically designed to take you through a soul-searching process of identifying and prioritizing every aspect of what makes up your ideal career – from values, environment, people, financial, geographical and skills, as well as other elements that break down who you are to complete your Roadmap.  The feedback you receive during this process, in the form of coaching and/or counseling will give you a leg up on others going through career transition without help from a career professional.  This program is interactive and action-oriented to get results.  You will expect to be engaged and committed to this process.  It is not a quick fix (immediate).  There are no assessments, although we may suggest you enhance your information with one or two, if you wish.  You can expect to feel confident in your direction at completion.  Once your personal direction is established, you will implement your Action Plan.  This could mean starting the job search in your new direction, taking additional classes to gain specific skills, completing an internship or establishing a networking and social media campaign to find employment in your ideal career, or as basic as creating a resume that gets results.

6. How long will it take me to establish the best possible career direction for me? 

Up to two months, depending on the individual.  Often it can take less time.  A minimum of five individual sessions are required or a six week group session for best results.  Additional services are available on an as needed basis (see below).

7. Is it better to work in a group or individually?

That depends on you.  While both programs are effective, they are different.  Individual counseling offers a more personalized approach and perhaps a deeper look at what is important to you, what might be getting in the way, and a greater sense of accountability.  The group process involves the same interactive, action-oriented, step by step approach, but also involves others in your process, which can be very powerful.  Participants often say that the feedback and peer support made a real difference.

8. Do I have to meet with you in person or can we work by phone?

The Passion to Career system can be completed in person or via phone.  It can also include daily check-ins to keep you on track by phone.  Questions can be asked via email and/or text in between sessions.

9. What results can I expect?

You can expect to define a career in less than two months and know exactly what the next steps you will take toward a joy-filled career.  If you choose to continue working with NB Careers during the job hunt process, a number of additional services are available to get you started on your new career path.  The results you will receive from gaining the satisfaction of completing this soul-searching, career-related process, cannot be measured, yet they are real.

10.             There are many career professionals out there.  How is what you do different than other career specialists?

In addition to my background and education spanning some 22 years in career development, I bring to the table the unique perspective of a founder and former CEO of KidzArt, an internationally acclaimed art education franchise system.  In my work as a franchisor, I developed a keen ability to assist individuals in developing their own creativity, including how to think creatively about their career to achieve life/work balance and profitability.  I founded this company to not only provide quality art education to everyone, but because to fulfill the need for good work that enhances one’s ability to be engaged daily in the creative process by developing a new and more powerful mindset through introspection and self-discovery.   This now extends to everyone I work with to create work that touches the imagination, inspires passion and profitability doing the work that God (or higher power) intends.

11.             What other services do you offer? 

NB Careers offers a menu of services based on your individual needs.  They include, but are not limited to:

·         Job Hunt Preparation – mock interviewing skills

·         Resume Review, a preparation

·         Career Café – a check in on a twice a week, weekly, bi-weekly or monthly basis to review strategies, provide accountability in your career development or job hunt, coaching to get unstuck, 30 minute review of your progress to date.

·         More, just ask

12.             What types of programs do you offer?

Packages include:

·         Individual Package– five session minimum – one hour weekly – identify Career Direction

·         Group Package– six sessions – 1 ½ hours weekly – subgroups for Older Teens, College Graduates, Women in Transition, Career Changers – Mid-Life – Identify Career Direction

·          Career Plus Package – includes Individual or Group with 8 Career Café 30 minute sessions

·         Full Executive Package – includes Career Direction (individual/group), 10 Career Café, Resume and Job Hunt Preparation, Internship or Job Shadowing assistance, additional services depending on individual needs.

13.             I’m not sure if I’m ready to get started.  How can I sample your work at a low cost to see if it’s the right solution for me?

You can always call me to share your career struggles, ask key questions, and talk about solutions, free of charge.

14.             I am very busy and don’t have much time to spare, although I do want to find a new career direction or focus and do what I love for life.  How much time do I need?

Please review the information above regarding time frames.  Considering that you have spent countless years trying to figure it all out, the time you spend in this life-changing process is truly minute and will SAVE you years of indecisiveness and frustration over not using your natural talents and skills doing work you love.

15.             OK, I’m ready to do this, but have a few more questions.  Can I call you?

Absolutely.  Call 830-626-6334 or email me directly at shell@nbcareersnow.com and we can get your started immediately.