Our Career Coaches in Residence program offers free one-on-one career counselling and job search help for younger adults, ages 18-29. The spring session runs until June 2025. Coaches are available to answer questions about career and job help, resumes and cover letters, preparing for job interviews or general career advice. We had a chance to catch up with the coaches and ask them a few questions.
Sangeetha and Jonathan, welcome to the program! You are our newest career coaches. What are you most looking forward to as a career coach for TPL?
Sangeetha: Thank you for the warm welcome! I am excited to support youth job seekers with career exploration and career development. This includes resume review, job search and networking strategies, and interview preparation. I aim to help my clients gain clarity and confidence in their career advancement.
Jonathan: Having recently returned to Toronto after living abroad for 15 years, I am really looking forward to reconnecting with my hometown. Being a career coach for TPL means I will have the opportunity to meet people from all over the city, learn a little bit about their story and, hopefully, provide a little help with their career journey.
How did you find your way to becoming a career coach?
Jonathan: The seed was planted when I was at university and volunteered to be a Student Career Advisor, helping peers 1-on-1 with their resumes. But it was not until years later at grad school when I helped friends with their career transition that I realized this was something I enjoyed and was good at.
Sangeetha: How I wish I had the guidance of a career coach whenever I lacked clarity or needed help with my resume! In many ways, not having the support I needed the most, especially as a young job seeker, inspired me to be that person for others. Thus began my journey in career coaching.
What book would you recommend to a young person starting out on their career journey?
Sangeetha: I would highly recommend James Clear's Atomic Habits: An Easy & Proven Way to Build Good Habits & Break Bad Ones. He delves into the power of small, consistent actions, providing a framework for personal and professional growth through habit formation.
Jonathan: My number one recommendation is an oldie but a goodie: How to Win Friends and Influence People by Dale Carnegie. The original version was written almost 90 years ago, but everyone still talks about it today. The fact that his insights about human behaviour still ring true today, despite the fact that life has changed tremendously in 90 years, totally blows my mind!
Shenelle, welcome back to the program! What qualities do you think a career coach should have and what would you say is your greatest quality as a career coach.
A career coach is a valuable resource for anyone seeking guidance and clarity about their career path. A skilled coach should be able to offer expert knowledge, personalized strategies and a fresh perspective to help individuals navigate their professional journeys. Career coaches should possess qualities such as active listening, a client-centered approach and a high level of empathy and emotional intelligence to understand the needs of job seekers in order to provide emotional support and encouragement.
I think my greatest quality as a career coach is that I have a deep commitment to helping others succeed. This has been the foundational basis for me, as it enables me to actively listen, create non-judgmental safe spaces and develop meaningful connections with the job seekers I support in order to empower them to achieve their career goals. I deeply enjoy my work and my commitment to helping others motivates me to support job seekers in every way that I can.
Which TPL resource do you recommend the most to participants?
The TPL resource I recommend the most to participants is LinkedIn Learning. It's great for learning the latest knowledge and skills, both technical and interpersonal. Courses can be industry specific or focus on broader skills that are needed for all industries such as communication, leadership and problem solving. LinkedIn Learning is a great way for job seekers to increase their skills while learning at their own pace.
The courses are flexible, so you can choose how deep you want to explore each topic. Once you complete a course, you can add it to your LinkedIn profile, showing employers and your network that your skills are current. I always recommend job seekers add these courses to their resumes as well because it’s a fantastic way to highlight your commitment to growth, set yourself apart from other candidates and address any gaps in your work history. And the best part? LinkedIn Learning is free with your library card and available anytime, so you can learn whenever it is most convenient for you.
Book a one-on-one appointment with Sangeetha, Jonathan or Shenelle. Also, be sure to check out the workshops and programs coaches will facilitate during this session.
The Career Coaches in Residence program is generously supported by lead donors:
and RBC Foundation.
