The Journey Ahead

Joyful Journeys enters its fourth year in January 2025. I am excited to re-brand the newsletter with a new color palette: blue and gold. Blue signifies inner peace and personal power, and gold represents prosperity and fulfillment. Together, they epitomize the career journeys I help my clients to navigate—ones that are grounded in confidence and that lead to lasting professional fulfillment and joy.

The color palette may be new, but my approach to helping people succeed is not. In the summer of 2023, SparkG Media interviewed me about my own career as a coach and my approach to helping others achieve their goals. I would like to share the transcript of that interview again as a way of re-introducing myself to the readers of Joyful Journeys.

What inspired you to become a coach, and how did you get started in this profession?

I started off my career as a teacher and professor. In that line of work, I realized that what I enjoyed the most was guiding people to realize and exceed their potential. Along the way, I worked for a couple of trade schools doing work in career advising and academic administration, so making the jump to coaching one-on-one was fairly easy. In 2016 I was hired by a nonprofit organization to serve as its Employment Specialist. Shortly thereafter I got certified by the National Career Development Association to coach career changers and job seekers.

What do you think are the most important qualities for a successful coach to possess?

The most important thing is to listen to your clients, both to what they say and don’t say. Every client is unique. My job is not to tell people what to do; it is to ask the right questions so that they can discover the right answers for themselves. When they do that, they are empowered to take control of their professional lives.

How do you approach working with clients who are struggling to achieve their goals?

I believe that the best is yet to come, so first and foremost I create a hope-filled space for my clients where they can dare to dream that anything is possible. In that space, we focus on their strengths and then set small, achievable goals so that they can experience immediate success. Furthermore, I help them to recognize and celebrate their accomplishments so that they enjoy the process of career exploration and job searching. Filled with joy, they stay motivated to reach their goals.

How do you stay motivated and continue to grow as a coach?

My motivation is intrinsic. I am always looking to be better and innovate. It’s in my blood. That being said, I am constantly taking trainings. I consult with colleagues regularly on best practices. I work directly with Dr. Michelle Tullier, the 2023 NCDA Outstanding Career Practitioner award winner, who mentors me and coaches me to be a better coach. Fundamentally though, I am motivated to grow so that I can serve my clients better. They are at the heart of everything I do.

How do you balance holding your clients accountable while also being compassionate and supportive?

Clients choose their own goals, so as we move forward in our work together, when they come to a snag, I remind them of their ultimate goals, help them to find new strategies to do so, and also emphasize that it’s okay not to feel okay, that they are not alone in their feelings, that there is no shame in struggling. I am open and honest too about the times I have struggled, and that adversity is normal to the growth process. They find that comforting, and the strength to move forward emerges.

What are some common misconceptions about coaching, and how do you address them with your clients?

Some people believe that we only write resumes or that we place people in jobs. Many of us do write resumes, but our work is centered on helping people to articulate their professional stories and then share those stories with the world so that they can turn the page in their careers. We don’t get people jobs; we help them to become their own career change agents over a lifetime. Setting realistic expectations and being transparent about the types of services a coach can provide are critical.

If you were to write a book about yourself, how would you name it?

"My Joyful Journey." It would outline my very non-linear career and personal story. It would cover the peaks and valleys of my professional life with a focus on how I leverage an inner resiliency to move forward and realize my dreams.

Any final message you’d want to share with the listeners?

Embrace the joyful journey of your life. The best is yet to come!

Bonus Content!

If you want to listen to my other podcast appearances, watch some of my career coaching webinars, or read articles I have contributed to, then go to https://linktr.ee/marciawall. You will find that joy is at the heart of everything I say and do.

Embark on your own Joyful Journey to Career Success!

Are you ready for the journey ahead? Do you wonder what it would be like to work with a coach? Are you eager to take the next step to advance your career? Reach out to me for a discovery call to find out how you can proceed on your own Joyful Journey to career success!

About Marcia - Career Success Coach

I enjoy helping people to live their best professional lives. I am a Global Career Development Facilitator and a Certified Career Services Provider through the National Career Development Association. I am also certified through Recovery Innovations International to support people who are dealing with mental health issues as they navigate their wellness journeys.

Learn more about my professional qualifications by clicking here.