by Melissa Nicastro
Isabel was adopted from China as a baby and landed in the arms of an amazing and loving family. With an older sibling and two younger siblings, all Chinese and adopted as well, their house is in a constant state of hustle and bustle. Love and encouragement abound.
I met 21-year-old Isabel after her mother and I met at a Moms’ gathering and she heard about my role at Careers With A Purpose (Careers) as a certified careers coach.
As wonderful as her family is, Isabel struggled with anxiety and often her grades in school didn’t reflect her many gifts and her kind and compassionate nature. In addition, her very introverted nature made it harder to connect with people, which only added to her confidence and self-esteem issues.
In my work with career coaching I have met many young adults who have much to offer the world yet their path to get there doesn’t involve college, like so many of their peers. It can be a very confusing, lonely, and discouraging time for a young teen or 20 something.
One of the greatest gifts you can offer those like Isabel is the gift of affirmation. They need to see that they have many abilities, gifts and talents that can be used in a very satisfying and fulfilling career or vocation that doesn’t require a college degree.
When Isabel and I began working together we used Careersassessment, The CALL, a report that focuses on career planning options, to explore the many ways God had blessed and enabled her for a wonderful future. Through Careersone-on-one coaching approach, we probed and explored several options, soon a number of light bulbs started to go on for her! Her very kind-hearted and compassionate nature was a perfect fit for a Certified Nurse Assistant, CNA. She found a one month program that allowed her to live at home, which aided her anxiety, and it allowed her to meet friends with very similar natures and personalities. It was a small class which was also very helpful. She flourished in the more one-on-one environment and gained great confidence in her ability to succeed in the course and the job. She also made new friends along the way, which boosted her confidence and self-esteem.
Isabel’s mother has seen a tremendous change in Isabel. She said she is a “different person.” So much of her anxiety is gone and she is excited about her future. She said Isabel loved the CNA course and feels very confident! She also expressed that often it takes someone outside of the family to help reveal and confirm what others have seen or said.
One of the most important issues with this type of student is that success doesn’t only come from academic skill or accomplishment. So many jobs and careers use a person’s emotional intelligence or physical and creative aptitudes.
At Careers, our coaches focus on opening many doors for both students and adults in job transition. We stress to both client groups the need to know that the path to personal happiness and career success is not just through the doors of a college campus. We celebrate each individual for how God created and wired them. The outlook is bright!