Each and every one of us wants to help others and make an impact on the world. I have worked with hundreds of students and clients to choose a fulfilling career path based on their unique strengths, skills, and values, and being a changemaker was the only common thread to emerge in every single session.

So when it comes to being a changemaker, especially when you are part of the larger Jewish community, it is clearly not a matter of ‘if’ but a matter of ‘how’. In order to find out how I would help others and make an impact on the world, I had to use the very principles that I now use with each of my clients. I looked at all of my past experiences as a tutor, dance teacher, volleyball coach, volunteer for special needs children, psychology teacher, and psychotherapist and asked myself what it was about these tasks that I loved so much. Moreover, I pondered over what it was about me that allowed me to succeed in various parts of these roles. It quickly became evident that this sort of introspection is not easy, and so I leaned on my many support systems for guidance: my family, friends, educators, and mentors. I didn’t ask them what job I should be doing, rather, I asked them to reflect upon my strengths.

After many conversations, tons of introspection, and a little bit of luck I learned that I love to help others by finding their unique talents and inspiring them to become the best versions of themselves. As a career counselor, I get to use these skills every single day, which is what makes my job so rewarding and so much fun!
 

I, like most people, entered college with the hopes of choosing a major that would lead me directly into a successful career path. I majored in psychology and went to graduate school to become a licensed psychotherapist. A little over 3 years ago, I was working in a community clinic providing therapy to clients with anxiety and depression when the Yeshivah of Flatbush High School offered me a position as part of their Pathfinders Department. This department—whose goal is to provide mentorship to students so that they can learn more about their skills, interests, and potential career paths—was still pretty young and there was a lot of room for innovation and expansion. Leaving the clinic and terminating with my clients was an extremely hard decision, but I couldn’t pass on the opportunity to build a program that would inspire so many students at an institution that is so near and dear to my heart.

Over the past 3 years I have worked with the most incredible team to help students through their personal and career journey. We bring in professional speakers to talk to students about their careers, take students on career-related trips, organize an annual Career Day with 40 speakers, provide individual career sessions, coordinate all aspects of internship placement, assist with resume writing and interviewing, and so much more! Whenever I tell someone about this amazing department they inevitably answer, “I wish I had that when I was in High School!” After hearing that reply countless times, I started to think, what if I could curate a similar experience for people who are not currently in high school? Earlier this year, I did exactly that! I started a Career Consulting business called Careers By Caroll in which I help clients of all ages with anything career related A-Z.

During Covid, many people lost their jobs and needed help applying and navigating the job search process, while others were taking the time to contemplate whether their current job was the right fit for them. I loved being able to help people recognize their strengths, especially during a time that was full of sorrow and hopelessness. There is no greater feeling than seeing how happy my clients are when they ultimately land a job that matches their unique skill set.