Career Coaching for College Students & Recent Graduates

Worried About Your College Student’s Future? You’re Not Alone.

I see a lot of parents thinking the same. Your child worked hard, got into college (or even graduate school), earned their degree, and now they’re trying to take that next step. But it’s not going the way anyone expected. They’re applying, not hearing back, and starting to question themselves, and I think that’s the hardest part to watch. The confidence that used to be there starts to feel a little shaky, and as a parent, you want to help, but you’re not always sure what will.

Why It Feels So Hard to Get a Job After College

I think a lot of people assume that if a student is struggling, it must be something they’re doing wrong, but what I see, especially right now, is something different. The entry level job market 2026 looks very different from how it used to be, and it’s not just more competitive; it’s more confusing. A degree used to feel like a clear next step, and now even strong students are finding that it doesn’t always lead directly into a role. I hear this question a lot, “Why can’t I get a job after college?” and it’s coming from students who have done everything right. A lot of the time, it’s not about effort or ability; it’s that no one has shown them how to approach a job search after college or even job applying in a way that actually works in today’s market.

Where Students Start to Feel Stuck

What often happens is that students start applying to anything that feels remotely relevant, hoping something will work out, and after a while, it becomes frustrating. They don’t hear back, or they get a few interviews that don’t go anywhere, and they start to wonder what they’re doing wrong. Some are trying to figure out their career path, others are unsure how to connect their degree to actual jobs and career opportunities, and a lot of them are navigating this without meaningful career advice or access to career services beyond what they had in school. That’s usually when I hear, “I feel stuck,” and honestly, I don’t think most of them are stuck; I think they just haven’t been shown a better way to approach it.

What Career Coaching for College Students Actually Looks Like

When I work with students, we don’t start by applying to more jobs; we slow things down and look at how they’re thinking about their experience. Through my career coaching services, including 1:1 career coaching, I help them start to see what they’ve actually done, what they’re good at, and what direction makes sense for them. Those needing career help for grad students may have a tricky time understanding how their academic experience translates. Once we clarify this, we build the practical pieces in a way that feels real. That includes creating your resume, shaping a resume of a professional even if you feel like you don’t have much yet, and building a presence on the LinkedIn job site that reflects who you are. We also talk through how to build a professional network, teach different forms of networking jobs, and efficiently use LinkedIn networking in a way that feels natural, not forced, and prepare for interviews so they can actually communicate what they bring to the table.

How Students Start Moving Forward

What I’ve noticed is that once a student starts to see their experience more clearly, everything else begins to change, too. They become more intentional with their job search, they start making more thoughtful decisions about where they apply, and they begin to understand how they fit into the broader jobs and career landscape. That’s where job search help for recent graduates really makes a difference, not because they’re doing more, but because they’re approaching it in a way that actually aligns with what they want.

Why This Stage Matters More Than People Realize

This stage matters more than most people expect, and without the right support, students can spend months feeling stuck, second-guessing themselves, or taking something that doesn’t really fit just to move forward. Some start thinking about even more school simply because they don’t know what else to do. With the right guidance, whether that comes from a career assessment, a career consultant, or an employment coach, that path can look very different. They gain clarity faster, build confidence earlier, and start making decisions that actually align with what they want instead of just reacting to what’s available.

What It’s Like to Work Together

Every student comes in at a slightly different place, some are trying to figure out direction, and others are focused on how to get a job after graduate school or move into a specific role. Either way, they’re not doing it alone. I guide them through the process step by step so they have structure, support, and a clearer understanding of what they’re doing and why, and the focus is always on helping them move forward in a way that feels manageable and real.

For Parents

What I’ve come to understand, especially working with students at this stage, is how much this experience affects not just them, but you as a parent, too. You’ve watched them work toward this for years, and now that things feel uncertain, it’s hard not to wonder how to help without overstepping.

My role isn’t just to guide your student, it’s to create a space where they can start to think clearly again, build confidence, and take steps forward that actually feel right for them. And in doing that, what I often hear from parents is a sense of relief, because they can step back a little, knowing their student has someone in their corner who understands both where they are and where they’re trying to go.

Let’s Talk

If your student is feeling stuck, unsure, or overwhelmed, I’m happy to talk through what support could look like and whether it’s the right fit.

Based in Bozeman, Montana | Working with clients virtually nationwide