New Parent/Career/Life Transition
“My coach was incredible. She helped me unpack all of my concerns and find the root of them. She helped me understand how to frame out activities that would help me find more balance, advocate for myself, and make sure that I was not putting too much weight on the day to day but envisioning the future at the firm and where I would add long-term value. She helped me understand that as a working mom, I would likely work smarter... and I do!"
- Kelly D
Financial Services | KPMG, LLP
Life / Career Transitions
"I reached out to Talking Talent and was assigned to Jan Fulcher when I found out that my wife and I were lucky enough to be having a second child. My goal was to try to maintain a work-life balance and a healthy relationship with my spouse given the high work performance expectations that I had set for myself. I was not sure what exactly the parent-career coaching sessions would involve or even whether they would be effective. I was blown away with Jan's level of detail that she provided to me in the form of action plans and experienced strategies to resolve the issues that I was facing. Jan's approach always pushed me to think harder about potential solutions more than I ever could have on my own. She pushed me to stay positive, while addressing any issues I was facing on a given day or week. Having weekly meetings with her gave me something to look forward to as I continued to adjust to the new normal in light of the COVID-19 circumstances and also kept me accountable toward our set challenges and goals. I would recommend the experience, and particularly Jan, to anyone.
- Working Parent / Associate Attorney / DLA Piper LLP
New Parent Career
"When signing up for New Parent Career Coaching, this new Dad was looking for support and advice on how to navigate the intensity of busy season with work as well as: I want to be a good Dad.
My coach did an amazing job helping my wife and I come up with strategies to protect the things that we value the most. This has helped me create a flexible work schedule for myself so that I can balance my duties at work with my duties at home."
He found that having the coaching program was helpful for him and his wife address potential issues and concerns and develop effective plans.
"It helped us to be proactive, rather than reactive."
- Working Parent / Financial Services
Transitions / Career
Upon returning from maternity leave, this attorney was disappointed to learn that a decision had been made reversing an earlier promise to her. She was looking forward to being staffed on a project that was both exciting and career-building for her. She attributed the coaching she was receiving to helping her advocate to build a case for the assignment:
"I thought about it for a few days and, after reflecting on my values and goals and applying what I had learned in my coaching sessions, I went back to the partners and asked then to reconsider staffing me on the new case. I presented arguments for why it would be beneficial for me, the firm, the client and the attorneys involved. In the end, I was staffed on the case. I believe my coaching sessions gave me the courage and power to stand up for myself and my career goals. Working on this case is one of the big reasons I returned to work and am enthusiastic about my future career growth. Prior to the coaching sessions, I would have never said anything; I would have just accepted that the opportunity was no longer going to be given to me."
- New Parent / Attorney
Working Parent Career
"I am very thankful that I met you in my life. Thank you for all your help guiding me through the past year and a half. I could not have done this without you.
I gave birth to my 2nd child and was trying to figure out how to balance work and life after coming back to work. I chose to continue to work full-time while being the primary caregiver to my two children. I also had to juggle traveling to another state every week to meet client’s needs. I was struggling and needed help to figure out how to make everything work.
Through the coaching sessions, you gave me tools that I can apply, not only to work, but also to life in general. I implemented a lot of tools in my work/life context and it has made tremendous impact to my work and life. You also gave me chances to revisit open agreed-upon action items and held me accountable to take actions.
You are an extremely talented counselor and I am glad that I am one of your counselees."
- Ayako Amako
Senior Tax Manager
International Tax | KPMG, LLP
Working Parent Career
I used the coaching benefit to prepare for my maternity leave, manage my return to work, and transition to a Reduced Work Schedule. My coach helped me talk through some crucial conversations I needed to have around my transition and armed me with techniques to handle them in a way that produced better outcomes.
Ongoing coaching has helped me figure out what I want out of work life, and find ways to change what isn't working. I can't overstate the benefit of some outside perspective and professional advice. I don't have to hold back when I talk to my coach-she is a great sounding board and she brings a lot of situational knowledge to our conversations, offering proven strategies for overcoming work-life challenges.
- Working Parent / Attorney