TRANSFORM FROM INVISIBLE TO SOUGHT-AFTER

I help emerging professionals build the
executive presence, strategic visibility, and authentic networks that create career breakthroughs—whether you're stuck in a job search or ready to emerge as a leader.

WELCOME FROM LINKEDIN -

Exploring how I can help your graduate (or you) develop the professional skills
that turn credentials into careers?
You're in the right place.

Below you'll find:

  • What's keeping qualified graduates from getting hired (it's not what you think)

  • The 5 skills employers desperately want but universities don't teach

  • Two program options: comprehensive 8-week transformation or targeted 3-session intensive

  • Real client results and testimonials

  • How to book your free 30-minute consultation

    Ready to skip ahead?


Only 8% of hiring managers believe
Gen Z is ready for the workforce

Think of this like Driver's Ed for a career.

You wouldn't hand a kid car keys and say "figure it out." Yet that's exactly what happens with professional skills - young adults are expected to just know how to interview, network, and present themselves.

I'm here to help you confidently move forward.

I'm your first professional mentor
- someone you can trust to teach essential skills, provide real-world practice, and help you integrate what you’re learning in a safe environment before the stakes are real.

The end goal is for you to navigate your job search demonstrating to decision makers that you do have the critical skills and professionalism they desperately want in candidates.

That’s how you stand out for the right reasons.

Your 1st Professional Mentor

No pressure. No sales pitch. Just clarity on whether this is right for you.

The Gap No One Is Talking About

generation z professional development advising

The path to professional life seems clear —solid grades, internships, strong resume.

So why aren't you getting hired?

  • Because employers are skeptical about hiring your generation. 75% of employers say Gen Z lacks professional soft skills: eye contact, networking confidence, interview presence. Meanwhile, 75% of students think they're ready. You might have some blind spots. We can fix that.

  • Because online job applications lead to only 2% of job offers. Knowing how to network is essential because most jobs are filled through word of mouth. But the art and science of networking isn’t something people are born knowing how to do.
    You need a plan with clear steps and the right mindset for the process.

  • Because looking for a job is its own job — one you might not have had yet.
    Let’s get you on track and break down what to do, how to do it, and dial in the soft skills that employers are skeptical Gen Z possesses.

The disconnect is real—and it's not your fault. College teaches credentials. Employers hire presence. Nobody bridges that gap.

That's what we do.

  • networking

    Not Networking Effectively

    70% of jobs come from networking, but only 25% of emerging professionals know how. You may cringe at the term networking and think it’s grossly transactional, leading you to avoid opportunities that create connections with people who could help your career.

  • Computer Applications

    Applications Go Nowhere

    You submit 50+ applications with no response. The problem is this feels like job searching but online apps only have a 2% success rate—networking is how people actually get hired.

  • question marks

    You Don't Know What You Don't Know

    College taught technical skills. Employers want professional soft skills. Nobody taught the difference—or how to show up ready on day one.

  • While AI might write your emails, you still have to show up to the meeting.

Katherine Johnson Executive Presence Advisor

You've been told your whole life that if you work hard, get good grades, and do everything right, success will follow.

Then you graduated, and... nothing happened the way it was supposed to.

Maybe you've sent hundreds of applications into what feels like a black hole. Maybe you're working hard but have been completely overlooked. Maybe you watch peers with weaker credentials somehow landing opportunities while you're left wondering what you're doing wrong.

Here's what I want you to know: There’s nothing wrong with you.
Searching for a job IS a job. You're just missing specific skills that college never taught.

I'm not talking about technical skills or industry knowledge. I'm talking about the job searching skills and professional presence that actually get you hired and advanced:

  • How to build professional relationships that feel authentic, not transactional

  • How to show up with presence that makes people remember you

  • How to create strategic visibility so opportunities find you instead of you chasing them endlessly

For over a decade, I've taught these skills to professionals in high-stakes situations—elected officials, professional speakers, entrepreneurs launching ventures, experts stepping into new levels of their leadership. I know what it takes to go from invisible to sought-after, from potential to recognized.

Now I teach emerging professionals these same skills—because your generation deserves better than stumbling through trial and error while everyone else seems to have it figured out.

You have the potential. I'll show you how to make others see it too.

I See You—And I Know This Isn't What You Expected

Here's what's keeping qualified graduates stuck:

You can write polished cover letters, but you freeze in live conversations
Emails give you time to edit. Networking events and interviews don't. When you can't articulate your value in the moment, opportunities slip away.

You think networking means "bothering people" or attending random events, so you avoid it entirely No one taught you that professional relationships are built on authentic connection and mutual value—not transactional favor-asking. So you stay isolated while opportunities flow through networks you're not part of.

You're invisible in a crowded market
You're working hard, but without strategic visibility, you're just another resume in the pile. Being known, remembered, and sought-after requires intention.

You don't know how to show up with presence under pressure
When stakes are high—interviews, important conversations, critical workplace moments—your nervousness undermines your competence. You know you're capable, but that doesn't translate to confidence when it counts.

You're playing the short game when careers are built on the long game
The skills that get you hired are the same skills that get you advanced and sought-after. Without them, you'll start from scratch at every career transition.

These aren't character flaws. They're learnable skills.

What's Actually Missing (And What I Teach)

How Professional Acceleration Works

A clear, confidence-building process that develops real skills

1

Schedule Free Consultation

We'll talk about where you’re struggling and what specific skills you need most—networking, interviews, or professional presence.

2

Targeted Skill Development

You get customized mentorship to cultivate professional presence, networking confidence, and interview skills in an 8-week 1:1 engagement (Accelerator) or a single-topic session (Intensive).

3

Get Hired

Armed with skills employers actually look for, you go from overlooked to hired—and use these skills for your entire career.

These aren't abstract concepts. They're concrete, learnable skills that I break down, practice with you, and help you master:

1. Strategic Communication
How to articulate your value clearly in any context—from "tell me about yourself" to navigating difficult conversations to writing messages that actually get responses.

2. Professional Presence
How to show up with confidence and composure that inspires trust—the body language, vocal presence, and energy that make people take you seriously.

3. Career Self-Development
How to build self-awareness, seek feedback without defensiveness, and take ownership of your growth trajectory instead of waiting for someone to manage your career for you.

4. Authentic Leadership
How to influence without authority, maintain composure under pressure, and project confidence without arrogance—even when you don't feel it yet.

5. Strategic Networking & Visibility
How to build genuine professional relationships, create visibility in your target industry, and become known so opportunities find you—not just the other way around.

What I Teach:
The Five Skills That Change Everything

This Isn't Theory.
It's Transformation Through Practice.

I don't give you a workbook and send you on your way.
We work together intensively:

  • We diagnose exactly what's holding you back (often not what you think)

  • We practice skills through role-play, feedback, and real-world application until they become natural

  • We build your strategic visibility plan so you're not just hoping to be discovered

  • We track measurable progress so you can see—and articulate—your growth

By the time we're done, you won't just know what to do differently. You'll have done it enough times that it's become who you are, not just what you're trying to be.

Accelerated professional development for the smartphone generation

Real Results from Real People

“I went into my pitch feeling strong and confident. After working with Katherine, I was in a great place walking into my high-stakes interviews.”

- HH, recent college graduate

“Working with Katherine helped me approach my job search in a clear way and helped me communicate my strengths in a professional way for interviews.

I feel more confident talking about myself and now have a plan for growing my network and finding job opportunities.”

—KF, college graduate

"After just one intensive series, my son's confidence completely transformed. He learned how to talk succinctly about himself and had less anxiety about the job search process and networking.

As a parent, it was a relief to have someone give him the professional guidance we couldn't provide. Katherine gave him tools and confidence we'd been trying to instill for months—but coming from an outside expert, it finally clicked."

- KH, Parent of Professional Readiness Intensive Client


COMING FROM LINKEDIN?

Still exploring whether this is right for your graduate?

Here's what happens next:

1. Book a free 30-minute consultation (no obligation)
2. We discuss your graduate's specific challenges and timeline
3. I'll recommend the best path forward—or refer you elsewhere if I'm not the right fit
4. If we're aligned, we'll schedule your first session and discuss payment options

Parents: You can attend the consultation with or without your graduate.
Graduates: You can book directly if you prefer.


TWO WAYS TO
GET STARTED

Not sure which program is right for you?
That’s exactly what we’ll figure out on your free consultation call



Quick Breakthrough in One Critical Area

What's Included:

→ Three 1-hour coaching sessions focused on immediate need
→ Professional strengths assessment
→ Interview presence coaching with detailed feedback
→ Polished 30-second introduction you can use anywhere
→ Networking strategies that feel natural, not forced
→ 30-day personalized action plan

Perfect for:

  • Getting interview-ready before a high-stakes opportunity

  • Testing whether professional mentorship is the right fit

  • Addressing one specific skill gap quickly

  • Graduates who need targeted support, not full transformation

PROFESSIONAL READINESS INTENSIVE

Investment: Starting at $750
(Exact pricing discussed during consultation based on specific needs)



8-Week Comprehensive Development

What's Included:

Everything from the Professional Readiness Intensive PLUS
→ Weekly 90-minute 1:1 coaching sessions (customized to your goals)
→ Professional assessment tools (CliftonStrengths, Positive Intelligence)
→ Transformation tracking: Pre/mid/post program assessments
→ Between-session accountability: text/email support
→ 8-12 strategic professional conversations completed by Week 8
→ Templates, scripts, and tools for current and future use
→ Mock interviews with detailed feedback
→ Professional wardrobe consultation (visual credibility matters)
→ 30-day post-program check-in for continued momentum

Perfect for:

  • Graduates stuck in prolonged job search (6+ months)

  • High-achievers who struggle with anxiety and stress around failure

  • Those who need comprehensive skill development across multiple areas

  • Building long-term career skills, not just getting the first job

  • Clients who want ongoing accountability and support

CAREER LAUNCH ACCELERATOR

Investment: Starting at $2200
(Customizable based on specific situation and timeline)

The Intensive is ideal if:

✓ Your graduate has ONE specific challenge (interview anxiety, networking avoidance)
✓ They have an upcoming interview or opportunity and need help fast
✓ You want to "test drive" working with a professional mentor first
✓ Budget is a primary consideration right now

The Accelerator is ideal if:

✓ Your graduate has been struggling for 6+ months
✓ They need multiple skills developed (networking + interviews + presence)
✓ You want comprehensive support, not just a targeted fix
✓ They need ongoing accountability to stay on track
✓ You're willing to invest in skills that serve them for decades, not just the first job

Which Program Is Right?


Still Not Sure Which Path Is Right?

Book a free 30-minute discovery call where we'll:

  • Understand your specific challenges

  • Identify which program best fits your needs

  • Answer your questions about the process

  • Determine if we're a good fit to work together

No pressure. No sales pitch. Just clarity on the next right step.

Teaching digital natives the analog skills
that land jobs , keep jobs, and build careers.

Six Months From Now,
You Will…


Walk into any interview and clearly articulate why you are the right hire - no more rambling answers or missed opportunities.

Build professional relationships that open doors - not just submit applications into the void.

Command respect in workplace settings - from day one, not after years of trial and error.

And parents? You'll feel confident introducing them professionally, knowing your investment in their education is now paying dividends in their career.

This isn't wishful thinking. This is what happens when emerging professionals get the professional development training that employers desperately want.

frustrated networking gen z career launch

75% of employers say recent graduates are unprepared.

Not because they lack intelligence - but because of a communication evolution gap.

Your graduate probably excels at:

Digital communication • Written work • Technical skills

But employers hire based on:
In-person presence • Interview confidence • Face-to-face networking

The Problem

These in-person skills:

  • ❌ Don't come naturally to digital natives

  • ❌ Aren't taught in universities

  • Determine who gets hired

It's a skills mismatch, not a character flaw.



Without These Skills

Less qualified candidates get hired → "They just interviewed better"

Networking opportunities missed → Job search drags on

Confidence erodes → "Maybe I'm not good enough"

Each rejection makes the next one harder.


The Good News

Professional presence is completely learnable in 8 weeks.

Here's What Concerns Me Most




What makes me different

🎓 Trained Educator

I am a Princeton graduate and earned my Master of Arts in Teaching from Lewis + Clark College.
I know how to break down complex skills, provide feedback that creates real change, and meet learners where they are.

🏆 Elite Performance Background as Squash Athlete
Princeton Varsity Squash Captain, 10x National Champion, USOC Athlete of the Year for Women’s Squash.
I understand coaching, mindset, and what it takes to perform under pressure.

📰 Proven Track Record on High-Stakes Presence
10+ years supporting professionals in make-or-break moments. Featured in The New York Times for teaching executive presence to elected officials and emerging leaders. Created and taught workshops for the Women’s Center for Leadership and co-hosted the Career Boost video series

👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 Parent Who Gets It
Mom of two Gen Z young adults. I'm not theorizing—I'm living this with my own kids.


You don’t need more quick tip social media advice. You need a professional mentor who:

  • Teaches the skills employers expect but universities don't teach

  • Provides a safe space to practice before real interviews

  • Gives honest feedback that builds confidence

  • Helps integrate learning through real-world application

Just like Driver's Ed prepares emerging drivers for the road, professional mentoring prepares emerging professionals for the workplace.



Common Questions from
Parents & Graduates

  • Career coaches focus on job search strategy—resume optimization, LinkedIn profiles, salary negotiation, and application tactics. I focus on the skills piece: how to show up with professional presence, communicate value authentically, and build strategic relationships. Think of it this way: Career coaches teach the mechanics of job searching. I teach the presence and soft skills that make employers want to hire you. Many of my clients work with both (and I can refer excellent career coaches for resume/LinkedIn work). We're complementary, not competitive.

  • I can't guarantee job offers—no one can. But I can guarantee your graduate will show up to interviews with clarity, confidence, and communication skills that make employers say "yes."

    What I track: Clients in the Career Accelerator complete an average of 8-12 professional conversations by Week 8. They practice interview skills in safe environments before high-stakes moments. They learn to articulate their value clearly and build authentic professional relationships.

    The skills I teach are the same skills that got me featured in The New York Times for executive presence coaching. They work for elected officials, professional speakers, and emerging professionals alike.

  • This is important: This program requires active participation. They'll need to:
    - Practice skills between sessions
    - Complete networking conversations (not just think about it)
    - Show up prepared and engaged - Be open to honest feedback

    If they're not ready to put in the work, this isn't the right time. The free consultation helps us determine if they're genuinely motivated or just being pushed by parents.

    I work best with graduates who want this for themselves, not those who are being forced into it.

  • Both, and it depends on what works best for your family.

    For the initial consultation: Parents can attend with or without their graduate, or the graduate can book directly. I'm flexible.

    For the actual program: Sessions are 1:1 with the graduate. The work itself is done directly with the emerging professional.

    Why? Because part of professional development is learning to advocate for yourself, make decisions, and take ownership—skills that require them to be in the driver's seat.

  • Yes. We can discuss flexible payment options during your consultation call. My goal is to make this accessible to families who are committed to their graduate's success.

  • Book a free 30-minute consultation. We'll discuss their specific challenges, and I'll be completely honest about whether this program is the best fit.

    If it's not, I'll tell you—and refer you to resources that would serve them better. I'm not interested in enrolling clients who aren't a good match. I want to work with people who will genuinely benefit from this work.

Ready to start navigating your career journey with confidence?

Book your free 30-minute consultation to discuss your specific situation and determine the best path forward.