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About Cathy

Hello, I’m Cathy

If you’re looking for guidance to move beyond a stuck point in your career, I’ve been there, and I know it feels risky to move on to the unknown. How can you be sure it’s the right choice? Sometimes security is more important than adventure. Having the right coach with you on the journey makes all the difference. My own career has been a blend of inspiration and interesting experiences, along with challenges, uncertainty, difficult decisions and transitions.

How did you become an expert in coaching for career growth?

I haven't always been a Career Growth Coach. I've had several different roles, and I've worked in various industries. Once, I was a bookkeeper for a small manufacturing company. And that's what led me to where I am today.


The job itself wasn't a bad job, in fact it was actually pretty good. I had a nice office, a supportive boss, a great team. I was good at the work. And it was safe and secure, reasonably well paid and with a good benefits package. But I was bored and dissatisfied. It was a good job, BUT it was the wrong job for me.


I wasn't sure what to do. I wanted a change but I'd already had several roles at that point in my career, including a few years as a full-time at-home mom. I didn't want to be seen as a "job-hopper". I was restless but felt guilty for wanting a change because I knew I had a lot to be grateful for. A secure job, a short commute, a steady income - what more could I ask for? Here's what: I wanted to love my career! I wanted to look forward to going to work, to do work that I enjoyed, to feel I was using my talents and skills in such a way that my work would have an impact on the world.


I am so glad that I reached out to a career coach at that time. She took me through a process of self-discovery, to help determine my ideal career path. I made many discoveries, and one of the keys I uncovered was the vital importance - to me - of creativity in my career. This meant that any time I was in a role that stymied my creative streak (e.g. bookkeeping) – I was headed on the road towards dissatisfaction and disengagement.

Although I was nervous about changing careers, I knew I didn’t want to keep on doing work that was unfulfilling to me for the next few decades of my life. I needed to do some planning and learn some new skills in order to make a shift.


There are several more chapters to this story, and how I arrived where I am - but I’ll cut to the chase: eventually, I discovered my ideal career – which is helping other women to find their own ideal career. Every day I get to use my creativity, along with the skills and experience that I’ve accumulated along the way.


I understand how to navigate the twists and turns, and I love helping other women to navigate those challenges in their own careers.


How long have you been a coach?

I first started coaching people more than 15 years ago. My earliest clients were moving through difficult career transitions and came from all walks of life. At that time, I was working for a non-profit career centre. I moved into management roles after that, and used my coaching skills to help my team members develop and grow.


Fast forward a few years, and I started my own company, People Focus Training, in 2018. Now I mostly work with women in mid-career who have hit a stuck point and are looking to get back on track with clear goals and the confidence to move ahead to where they want to be. My goal is to help you find fulfillment and inspiration at work – otherwise known as job satisfaction.

Is job satisfaction truly a realistic goal?

Yes! And while we’re talking about job satisfaction, you might be surprised to learn what I’ve discovered about job dissatisfaction.


Job dissatisfaction can be an opportunity. Sometimes, unhappiness at work is a sign that your dream job is out there if you choose to look for it. Perhaps that sounds like pie in the sky? Like many people, maybe you cling to the safe and secure. Here’s what that often looks like:


● You have a nagging question in your head every day – “should I stay, or should I go?”

● You take a peek at job postings on LinkedIn once a week or so, just to see what’s out there, but never take it further.

● Some days you think” “I’m ready to just leave now and close this chapter in my career. Maybe my dream job will drop in my lap”

● Other days you think: “I just need to wait for that promotion, I’ve been able to get this far – surely my hard work will be recognized soon.” In other words, you’re hoping for better, while settling for less than 100%. This might be fine for those who want to just survive and get by, but is it enough for you?

What kind of clients do you work with best?

A lot of my clients are women in mid-career. They often find themselves in one of these three zones of discomfort when they reach out to me for help:


● the square peg zone, where the job is just not a good fit.

● the glass ceiling zone, where the prospects of moving up are slim to zero.

● the awful boss zone, self-explanatory but sadly all too common.


Regardless of the discomfort you feel, it’s risky to move on to the unknown. How do you know if you’re making the right choice?


Sometimes security is more important than adventure. But what if you could have both? This is where I come in as a guide and trusted advisor on your journey.

What are your credentials?

I’m a Certified Career Development Practitioner (CCDP) certified through the CDP Certification Board of Ontario; I'm also certified through the Center for Executive Coaching as both an Executive Coach and a Career Coach. This means you can have confidence that I am well versed in all aspects of Career Development, and that I adhere to a professional Code of Ethics. I use coaching techniques that are proven to be effective in achieving outstanding results. I also have a solid grounding in how adults learn (a key element of the coaching process) through my Bachelor of Education in Adult Education. I earned this degree by studying remotely, part-time while working full-time and raising my 3 children.

I’m not quite ready to get started, is there a way to sample your work?

Yes! I’ve created resources and information for you to help on your career journey at no cost to you. You can:


Download the Should I Stay or Should I Go? Career Move Decision-Maker


Read my blog for topics around career growth and leadership


And connect with me on LinkedIn – I regularly post career-related insights

What Our Clients Say

Testimonials

“The breadth & depth of her knowledge and experience allow Cathy to offer the most strategic advice & assistance for career advancement for individuals.”

– J.W.

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