Career Support Care Packages
It’s been over a month from launching Career Support Care Packages to world! It’s been a fun ride so far and I am just getting started.
I want to share the story and intention behind these care packages, plus where I see it going from here. I’m laying it all out there!
For context, I’m a Career Self-Discovery & Leadership Coach. I help folks who feel like they want to make the world a better place, but are not sure how. These are often people who feel like they don’t fit into a box and want to navigate career decisions with intentionality, based on their unique needs, desires, and magic. It’s a joy to help in-betweeners navigate out of what feels like career identity crisis, something I have experienced a lot and have overcome time and time again.
But with the turbulent economy and mass job losses over the last few years, I wanted to make my coaching tools more accessible. In March, I told a friend I wanted to create “emotional first aid voice notes” for people going through career challenges, but I wasn’t sure how to best deliver them to people experiencing those challenges. My friend said she would love to gift something like that to a her friend who is going through career frustrations. This was an epiphany moment!
I realized I could make digital Career Support Care Packages that people could gift to their friends, colleagues, and loved ones who are going through a career challenge but are unsure how to support them. They don't make greeting cards for these types of situations. And a fruit basket or a text message doesn't always deliver the desired sentiment.
The ideas came pouring out of me: I can go beyond just a voice note and include a visualization exercise like ones I would do in sessions with a client, along with relevant reflection questions, a delightful greeting card, and a list of stress-busting activities for calming an anxious nervous system as they navigate the ups and downs of their career.
What started as an idea for one care package quickly turned into nine different care packages with content to address various situations. Two months later, I launch this new product, coinciding with May’s Mental Health Awareness Month.
The feedback so far is powerful! People are saying it feels like a physical gift box, prepared with a lot of heart and care, and is actually valuable for their situation.
Version 1.0 of the Career Support Care Packages is live and people are loving them so far. And I see their potential. And my future plans are to make this big! In a world desperate for a bit of relief and delight, I feel it’s my duty to make sure this gets out into the world. I plan to present this original product at pitch competitions, invest in more personalization options, build a smoother user experience, and collaborate with other service providers to expand the content for new care packages in the future.
I am trying to meet the moment. There are a lot of people out there experiencing career chaos, uncertainty, uneasiness, and frustration.
I also know there are a lot of folks visiting LinkedIn or checking in on their friends and feeling empathy for their peers’ situation but helpless not knowing how they can support those peers in these times of career challenges.
I feel it. And I've been there. And I've guided my clients through the what felt to them like career sh*tstorms as well. And I have tools and thoughtful ideas that can help those people.
So in a three circle Venn diagram to help all of these parties right now: You feel good sending a care package. They feel good receiving a care package. I feel good that someone else feels good!
Probably the most meaningful work I’ve ever done outside of 1:1 work with clients. And it is also art. And it's delightful AF :)
Gift a digital care package to someone you care about, filled with care, delight, relief, and tools for their situation.
You don’t have to think of the perfect words to say.
You don’t have to worry about overstepping with unwanted suggestions.
You don’t have to spend a fortune (right now, it's pay what you can. YES. REALLY.)
You don’t even need more than 2 minutes to send it and you’ll make someone’s day in the process.
Or treat yourself!
If you want help figuring out which care package fits best, let me know.
