Past mistakes don't define me today. At one time I believed they did. Failed relationships and career missteps seemed to prove it. But no more. I discovered that regardless of the nature of the problems, they had some common denominators: unrealistic expectations and skewed self-assessments. My internalized self-critic worked overtime. And I was ashamed to ask for help. But with help, I adopted a new motto: While life leaves scars from where you've been, it doesn't dictate where you are going. With help and a little courage, I set more realistic expectations and detoxed that self-critic. With help I learned what motivated me to choose toxic relationships and unfulfilling career paths. We all have blind spots. With help I uncovered mine. Today I'm very selective when seeking friends. Today I am thriving in a career that is my calling. Your mistakes are not a life sentence; with effort and insight, you, too, can move forward.

Losing a job is profoundly disorienting. My job was more than a source of income and daily routine; it was my life, it defined me, was how I introduced myself. It was my social network, my family. I felt lost, confused and somehow like a really bad person. I discovered I had been in burnout mode and didn't know it. It felt catastrophic. I was in a fog....and the good news is you can wake up from that fog and take action. Like you are doing now: seeking help! There are strategies for coping with and overcoming these challenges. Reestablish routine, identify and organize your priorities. Taking time for self-assessment and self care gives you strength to manage yourself, making you a more attractive interviewee or entrepreneur. There's work to do to recreate yourself. That's what happened to me. I entered a career I'd never dreamed of, in an environment that draws on my intuition. Self-respect and confidence came quickly. This can happen to you. Let's explore it together

Ever been passed up for a job, overlooked for a promotion or inclusion in a new project because you’re “too old” or “too young,” but you and others knew you had the experience and talent that made you perfect for the job? Ageism is stereotypical individual and societal bias. It may be blatant or subtle, and even part of the corporate culture. My personal experience is a resounding Yes! Growing up and into my 20s I was discounted because anyone under 30 wasn’t valued. My 12-year search for work after retirement was unfruitful until recently. If asked for an interview, it was soon clear I didn’t fit into the culture regardless of my qualifications. Being discounted made me feel helpless, took a great toll on my self-confidence and made a huge dent in my attitude. Combating ageism is possible by first cultivating self-confidence--looking at your own biases, your accomplishments and having a growth mentality. This might be our starting point. Let’s work as a team. Let's do it!

My expertise comes from more than just training—it was forged by navigating a difficult path. I grew up in a traditional, homophobic Latin American household marked by poverty and domestic violence. As a queer person in that environment, I learned firsthand how to survive trauma, carve out my own identity, and fight for a better future on my own terms. That journey is why I’m so committed to this work. My lived experience informs how I help others through their own complex life transitions. It’s why I became a Behavior Interventionist for the autism community and completed 80 hours of Peer Support training—to turn my understanding into practical, effective support. I meet you with the profound empathy that only comes from having walked a similar road, ready to help you find your own path forward.

I graduated from college in May 2020, right into the pandemic-era job market. I felt lucky to land a job just a few months later, but it quickly revealed itself to be a toxic environment. I was laid off that October, and a long stretch of underemployment and instability began. I didn’t find consistent full-time work again until September 2021. That second job felt like a lifeline, but after about a year and a half, I was laid off again—only to be re-hired a week later when they realized they needed me back. In the brief window of that layoff, I had already started interviewing for a new role. I kept going with the process and, after multiple rounds, landed a better job: one that came with a raise and opportunities to grow. I was then able to leave the company that had laid off and re-hired me. Since 2020, I’ve experienced firsthand how chaotic and unpredictable the job market can be. I’ve learned what it takes to stay afloat through layoffs, rejections, and burnout, and have developed strategies for applications, interviews, and finding the confidence to keep going. If you’re feeling defeated by job searching, know that you’re not alone. I’m here to share practical advice and remind you that your worth is not defined by your employment status.

As a first-generation college student and first-generation corporate worker, I had to figure everything out on my own, from applying to schools and building a resume to opening a 401(k), choosing an HSA, and learning how to navigate the world of corporate benefits and workplace etiquette. Watching my parents hustle through the 2008 recession taught me early on that I deeply value stability—and for me, that has come from a 9-to-5 job. That stability has allowed me to take control of my finances and start building the kind of security I’ve envisioned for years. Now, at 26, I’m often the youngest person and only woman in the room, especially in my male-dominated corner of tech. It hasn’t always been easy, but it’s pushed me to learn how to advocate for myself, make the most of every opportunity, and be proud of how far I’ve come. I’ve become the friend who loves to talk openly about jobs and money, and I’d love to help others just starting their own path (especially those going to college and trying to break into the 9-to-5 world with no roadmap!)

Like many in tech, I've faced the recent waves of layoffs, experiencing that disruption twice in the past two years. Being over 50 in this industry can bring unique challenges. Layoffs are a challenging reality, but they do not define who I am, and I have had to find my way through them. I believe that there is a bright spot, and I will find that perfect fit; it just requires a bit of a shift in my thinking and processes.

I've been where you are—staring at job boards, feeling overwhelmed by endless applications, and wondering if I'm doing everything wrong. During my own career transitions, I thought job searching was just about submitting resumes and hoping for the best. I'd apply to dozens of positions online, rarely hearing back, and feeling more discouraged with each rejection or silence. The whole process felt like throwing darts in the dark. The turning point came when I realized I needed to approach job searching strategically, not desperately. Through trial and error—and yes, plenty of rejections—I discovered that finding the right opportunities isn't just about what you know, but who you know, how you present yourself, and where you actually look. I learned to leverage networking in ways that felt authentic, figured out how to make job boards work for me, and discovered the hidden job market that most people never tap into. The journey taught me that job searching is a skill set in itself—one that no one really teaches you. I went from dreading the process to feeling confident and strategic about it. Now I help others navigate their searches using the real-world tactics that actually work. If you're feeling stuck, sending applications into the void, or unsure where to start, I've been there. The good news? There's a better way, and you don't have to figure it out through trial and error like I did.

I used to dread job interviews more than anything else in my career. My palms would sweat, my mind would go blank, and I'd walk out of interviews knowing I hadn't shown my best self. I'd replay every stumbled answer and awkward pause for days afterward. Despite having solid experience and qualifications, I felt like I was failing at the one thing that mattered most—actually getting the job. The breakthrough came when I realized that interviewing is a skill you can develop, not just a talent you're born with. I started treating interviews like conversations rather than interrogations. I learned to prepare stories that showcased my experience, developed techniques to manage my nerves, and discovered how to turn my anxiety into focused energy. Most importantly, I figured out how to be authentically myself while still being professional and polished. Through multiple interviews across different industries and roles, I've learned what actually works—and what doesn't. I've experienced everything from panel interviews to video calls to informal coffee chats, and each taught me something new about connecting with interviewers and presenting my value. Now I walk into interviews feeling prepared and confident, knowing I can handle whatever comes my way. If you're dreading your next interview or feeling like you're not showing up as your best self, I've been exactly where you are.

I once left a job that looked amazing on the outside—but behind closed doors, it was chaotic, unkind, and eroding my self-worth. I questioned my judgment, second-guessed every decision, and carried a quiet shame about what had happened. Leaving was only the beginning of healing. I had to unpack what I experienced, untangle my identity from the toxic culture, and remind myself of who I really was. It wasn’t instant, but with reflection, support, and new opportunities, I began to feel strong again. If you’ve walked away from a painful work environment, you’re not alone—and it’s not your fault. Let’s talk about how to process what you’ve been through and rebuild your confidence moving forward.