Start writing your career story
Every great future begins with a first step. Choosing a career direction can feel overwhelming — but nobody should have to figure it out alone. As a career coaching specialist based in Hamilton and working with individuals nationwide, I’ll help you discover what matters, find your confidence, and map out practical next steps. Sessions always focus on your story, your strengths, and turning your ideas into action.
Uncover your strengths, values & interests.
Generate ideas.
Explore options.
Own your career story!
Give someone you love a gift for life
Giving a gift of clarity is one of the best gifts you can give someone. Help your loved one discover what matters; understand their strengths, values, skills, motivations and interests - help them learn the process of career finding, so they can make informed, confident decisions about future study and career pathways.
Enquire now about gifting 1:1 Career Coaching Sessions with a career development specialist.
Career coaching you can really count on
I'm Kathy, a Career Development Specialist with a genuine love of helping individuals navigate career decision-making. Since launching Career Story and Co, I’ve worked one-on-one with people of all ages who feel uncertain, stuck, or simply want extra support. My approach is friendly, practical, and focused entirely on you — developed from having navigated multiple career transitions myself - I understand the challenges, doubts and excitement that come with career finding. I've been the uncertain student, the career changer, the person questioning if I was on the right path. This lived experience, combined with my professional qualifications and expertise, allows me to meet you wherever you are in your journey. You’ll never find judgement or pressure here, only guidance and opportunities to learn more about yourself.
1:1 Personalised Coaching
My Career DiscoverMe programme offers 1:1 personalised career coaching sessions that help uncover your interests, strengths, skills, values and motivations. It helps you make more informed decisions about future career pathways. This practical, supportive approach starts with honest conversations and real tools, leading to insight that lasts.
Career assessments
I use the Morrisby Profile and Myers-Briggs Strong Interest Inventory alongside other tools and activities to reveal what energises and motivates you. These career coaching tools help you to feel confident in exploring careers that will suit you.
Guidance that grows confidence
Real clarity comes from being able to articulate who you are. With the right support, uncertainty becomes informed confident choices. Whether you’re starting out on your career journey or you have been in the workplace for some time, I help you develop practical tools to explore options and learn about the types of spaces where you could thrive.
I thought everybody could do those things, now I know they are my strengths. Completing the Morrisby Profile also helped me to better understand how my strengths and interests can turn into a career.
Kathy didn't just tell me what to study, instead she helped me to take action.
Theo, Age 17
"Jack has successfully secured work … his engagement with Kathy has helped him to truly flourish”
Heather (Parent)
"Kathy helped me work out what I wanted to study and supported me in making decisions about my future. She helped me create a CV that genuinely reflected who I am and presented my skills and strengths in a professional way. With her encouragement, I started volunteering, which later led to me being offered a job. Kathy's support made a real difference in helping me gain experience, confidence, and opportunities".
Amelia
Ready to shift from just hoping things will work out to building a future you actually want—one that makes sense for who you are and what matters most?
FAQs
How does career coaching work?
Career coaching at Career Story and Co is a supportive process. The 'Career DiscoverMe' programme includes multiple one-on-one sessions. Starting with your own experiences and insights, I help you identify strengths, interests, skills and values using proven assessments and practical activities. Together, we talk about what excites you and where you might want to go. Instead of just giving advice, I ask questions, share tools, and encourage you to think about what really matters. By the final session, you’ll have more clarity and a plan for actions you can take, whether that’s choosing subjects, deciding on study options, or looking at exploring work ideas or opportunities. All sessions are designed to be relaxed and helpful, no matter your background or goals. This is career development coaching, not counselling or therapy. It is about helping you understand yourself, explore suitable options and make decisions about study and career pathways - in a practical, supportive, forward-looking way.
Who can use these services?
I work with individuals across the lifespan - from students in Years 12-13, recent school leavers or university students, those experiencing a redundancy or just wanting a better sense of direction; basically anyone asking themselves "What's next?". If you have questions or feel unsure, you’re in the right place. Parents often get in touch on behalf of teens who need a bit of guidance too. Sessions are suitable across New Zealand, via in-person if you live in Hamilton or virtually if you’re elsewhere. If you’re ready to start shaping your career story, the process is easy to begin and fully tailored to each person.
What is included in a typical coaching programme?
A typical programme includes one-on-one sessions with me, Kathy, your career development specialist. We use the time to focus on your current story — your strengths, values, interests, skills and motivations. We use professional career assessment tools like the Morrisby Profile or Myers-Briggs Interests Inventory. I use practical activities and real conversations to explore and investigate options and decide what feels like the best fit. My goal is to help you feel confident, less anxious, and ready to take charge of your career decisions.
What makes this different?
At Career Story and Co, the focus is always on you as an individual and working in partnership with you. I never push you towards a certain direction or path. Instead, I listen and help you discover what fits, based on your values and natural talents. My training as a Career Development Specialist means I bring real tools and methods, but always in a way that feels supportive and down-to-earth. Clients say they feel seen and heard, not just told what to do. The process is warm, friendly, and practical: helping you write your own next chapter instead of simply following someone else’s ideas. I offer coaching to anyone across New Zealand looking for career support that truly suits them.
'DiscoverMe' career coaching allows enough depth for clarity, insight, and planning — without being overwhelming. The goal is not to decide your entire future, but to give you a strong foundation, clear direction, and practical next steps you can build on.
How do I start?
Getting started is simple. Reach out via email to kathy@careerstory.co.nz or call 021.859.003. I will schedule you in for a 25 minute no obligation conversation where I can explain how the programme works, the investment costs, and you can share a bit about your own situation. There’s no pressure to commit on the day. This first contact is just a chat to see if career coaching and my approach is a good fit for you. Once you decide to go ahead, we’ll book your first one-hour session. Sessions can happen in-person in Hamilton, but I meet with clients right across New Zealand online as well.