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 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 6 hours of 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 young people navigate career decision-making. Since launching Career Story and Co, I’ve worked one-on-one with both teenagers and twenty-somethings 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 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 over six one-hour sessions that help uncover your interests, strengths, skills and values. 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, Myers-Briggs Strong Interests Inventory or the Cappfinity Strengths Profile 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 the 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 to think about university, trades, or going straight into work, I help you develop practical tools to explore options and learn about roles and industries where you can 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 four one-hour 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?
Teenagers in years 11 to 13, recent school leavers, and anyone preparing for life after secondary school can benefit from career coaching. Most of my clients are working out what’s next — perhaps choosing between university or trades, feeling lost after high school, or wanting a better sense of direction. 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 meetings around 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 six sessions with me, Kathy, your career development specialist. The first session focuses on your current story — your strengths, values, interests, skills and motivations. Next, we use professional tools like the Morrisby Profile or Myers-Briggs Interests Inventory or Cappfinity Strengths Profile, and start to generate possible career ideas and explore opportunities. Throughout the Career DiscoverMe programme, I use practical activities (sometimes with cards sorts) and real conversations around values ideas for the future, learn how to explore and investigate the 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.
How do I start?
Getting started is simple. Reach out via email to kathy@careerstory.co.nz or call 021.859.003. I will respond promptly to arrange a first conversation where you can share a bit about you or your teenager's situation and goals. There’s no pressure to commit; this first contact is just a chat to see if career coaching is a good fit. Once you decide to go ahead, we’ll book your first one-hour session and outline the process. Sessions can happen in-person in Hamilton, but I meet with clients right across New Zealand online as well. You’ll receive all information about the costs, how assessments work, and how to prepare—so you can start building your career story with confidence.
Is 6 sessions really enough?
Six focused sessions allow 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.