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How to Choose Your Career Path

Your Power of Choice In
Shaping Your Career Path

Career and Choice

I began my career counseling and coaching practice in Vancouver, British Columbia. I discovered far too many people standing at the crossroads of their careers, searching for direction and clarity. Many were wondering how to choose their career path, but this is not quite the right question to ask anymore. In today's dynamic landscape, your career trajectory isn't a one-time choice; it's a lifelong journey molded by a series of choices.

To address this modern reality, I developed a unique, multi-disciplinary approach to career clarity. Along the way, I recognized that the essence of career clarity lies in how individuals navigate their choices. The career counseling scene that emerged from Vancouver is the key to unlocking the profound role that choice plays in shaping your professional journey. Trust me, Vancouver's got some game-changing insights!

You see, even when we don't intentionally make choices, the "sneaky" default choices we unknowingly make have a significant impact on the course of our lives. It's as if they set us on a path that can be just as influential as the deliberate choices we consciously make.

Let's delve into the concept of the "sneaky default choice" and its far-reaching implications. As we explore its effects, you'll uncover the power it holds to motivate you into action, embrace fresh opportunities, and craft the career you've always envisioned. The four truths behind the default choices are:

The Illusion of Inaction

When it comes to career counseling, both action and inaction are significant choices. It's common to fall into the trap of inaction, waiting for perfect clarity before taking the next step. However, here's an important truth: career counseling and making intentional decisions are not exclusive to each other. By defaulting to inaction, you in advertently allow circumstances or fear to dictate your path. But why not consider career counseling and start by taking small steps towards your goals? These seemingly insignificant actions possess remarkable potential to create momentum and uncover the clarity you seek.

Action Breeds Clarity

Waiting for absolute clarity before taking action can be a never-ending cycle. Career counseling teaches us that often, it is through action that we gain the clarity we desire. Imagine driving through dense fog – as you forge ahead, the fog begins to dissipate, and the path becomes clearer. Similarly, by taking those small steps recommended by career counseling, you open yourself up to new experiences, fresh insights, and exciting opportunities. These stepping stones will illuminate your true passions and purpose, guiding you towards a fulfilling career.

The Power of Declaration

Let's uncover the transformative power of declaration. Consider the story of a remarkable client named Jane, who, for years, felt lost in her career. She is based out of Vancouver and dealt with all the ups and downs of living in a city that has lots of opportunities—but its problems with affordability can bring people down. With the support of career counseling, Jane summoned the courage to declare her true desires. Then a remarkable transformation occurred. Opportunities that perfectly aligned with her aspirations started manifesting everywhere–during conversations, through online content, and even through direct offers that bypassed the typical interview process. Embracing each opportunity with curiosity, even when fear lingered, Jane broke free from default choices. Today, she stands as a solopreneur, prioritizing her true passions every single day.

Breaking the Default Cycle

It's essential to acknowledge that every choice, including the default one, plays a vital role in shaping your life. Career counseling urges you to recognize that avoiding fear is, in itself, a choice that may keep you trapped in a repetitive cycle. Instead, choose the alternative path – take those small steps towards your dreams, even when uncertainty looms. Embrace career counseling, allowing intentional actions to propel you closer to the fulfilling career and life you desire.

Now it is time for my story.

Let me share a deeply personal story with you

One that has shaped my perspective on the importance of making intentional choices that align with our values, strengths, and what we want out of our life.

I've witnessed firsthand the damaging impact of fear on the lives of my parents, friends and those to become my clients. Fear is a sticky trap. And to be honest, I came dangerously close to falling into that very same trap myself. It was a daunting realization that fear alone had the power to hold me back from living the life I truly desired.

I want to invite you to imagine a scenario to make this more real for you. Because, one day, it will be. Picture yourself gazing into a window that reveals your future self. Your future self appears to be around 65 years old, and they are looking back at you. As they reflect on the time between your current self and future self, it feels like a blink of an eye to them. Time has passed much quicker than they thought it would.

Envision stepping into the shoes of that 65-year-old version of  yourself

You realize that over the years, and perhaps even decades, you have simply gone with the flow and made default choices—unintentional decisions that didn't truly reflect who you are and what truly matters to you. Retirement draws near and, instead of fear, you are struck by the weight of regret. Your cherished dreams and aspirations remain unfulfilled. Your authentic self was never actually seen, by you or others. The working years are behind you, your family dynamics have changed, and you have limited time left on earth and little energy to pursue what truly matters.

This could have easily been me. But here's the remarkable part of my story—I managed to break free from that suffocating trap. I'm on a life-long mission to help others do the same. I want to assist you in confronting your fears head-on, using them as stepping stones rather than stumbling blocks. With support, you can forge a path of intentional choices, guided by your values and strengths. We can reshape your future, creating a life that resonates with your true self and fulfills your deepest longings.

Headshot of Woman

Meet The Coach

Hi, I’m sophee.

I’m an international career coach based in Vancouver, Canada who uses positive psychology, ontology, and strength-based analysis – to help people identify what they are looking for and how to find long-term happiness, growth and fufillment in their professional and personal lives.

It's never too late to make conscious
decisions that lead to a purposeful, fulfilling life.

It won't be an easy journey, but I can assure you it's a transformative one. But trust me, it's far better than the alternative—which is reaching a point where you come to terms with the fact that you've only lived half of what was possible in your life.

If there’s anything you take away from this, download this one insight: the default choice is still a choice, and its impact on your life is significant. By embracing action, even in the absence of perfect clarity, you open yourself up to a world of opportunities and experiences. Whether it's career counseling in Vancouver or wherever you are, this equips you with the tools and guidance to make intentional decisions, leading you towards your true calling. So, are you ready to embark on this transformative journey?

Career counseling awaits, ready to empower you and shape the career of your dreams. Seize the power to choose, and let your professional aspirations flourish!

How The Forward Method Works

ASSESS

Identify what motivates and inspires – as well as what drains you – so we can clearly understand what it is you are looking for in your professional life.

STRATEGIZE

Create a tangible strategy that integrates your skills, experience, long term goals and financial expectations – so we can build a roadmap to get you there.

ACCOMPLISH

Improve workplace skills like communication, negotiation, leadership and mindset, so you can feel confident about the direction of your career.

What clients are saying about working with Sophee

“Once you are in it, you can see results.”
Chin Chi - Art Therapist, Our Oasis Therapy

Chin Chi

Art Therapist, Our Oasis Therapy

Unbelievable results after coaching
Chin Chi - Art Therapist, Our Oasis Therapy

Ryan Loney

Sports and Recreation Professional

Wen Dee on getting past a career ceiling and becoming an authentic leader
Chin Chi - Art Therapist, Our Oasis Therapy

Wen Dee Wong

Portfolio Manager

Kasey on overcoming self-doubt and what that made possible for her
(spoiler alert: check out her new business)
Chin Chi - Art Therapist, Our Oasis Therapy

Kasey McCandless

Founder of Playsticity

Oleg on putting insights together into a big picture he keep take real action on
Chin Chi - Art Therapist, Our Oasis Therapy

Oleg Tkhoryk

Team Lead and Senior Data Analyst

Harlow on negotiating for a promotion and powerfully self-advocating for himself
Chin Chi - Art Therapist, Our Oasis Therapy

Harlow Lachance

Data Analyst

Sophia on facing hardship in her career that knocked her confidence, but finding clarity and transforming into a strong advocate for herself
Chin Chi - Art Therapist, Our Oasis Therapy

Sophia Wilson

Climate Action Strategic Communications

“I could feel that coaching was working when I started to approach job searching with a different mindset.”

Before I met Sophee, I was feeling very stuck. I was lacking focus, feeling like there are too many options, but like I had no options at the same time. I could feel that coaching was working when I started to approach job searching with a different mindset. I was able to see how I might be getting in my own way and started to learn that I have nothing to lose if I go all in towards my goal. It was helpful when Sophee would ask me why I believe certain things, and I learned these beliefs/fears are not the reality. I am now convinced that it is possible for me to reach my goals and find a fulfilling job that I  will be proud of.

Meeka

Vancouver, Canada

“Through her questions, we were able to find a good memory I had that I didn't realize I could utilize to have high confidence myself again.”

In just one session, Sophee allowed me to come to certain realizations that I couldn't have come to on my own. Sophee is incredibly easy to talk to and that made me feel relaxed and at ease, even when I felt tense talking about the root cause of my fear of failure. She was also perceptive to my body language while I was talking about certain thoughts, which I can imagine isn't the easiest thing to do over Zoom. Through her questions, we were able to find a good memory I had that I didn't realize I could utilize to have high confidence myself again. It is very clear Sophee knows what she is doing!

Nur Awad

Tamra, Israel

“I was able to get the dream job I had been wanting for a long time!”

I wanted to try career coaching because I was struggling to break out of the unsuccessful routine I had fallen into in applying over and over for years. It had become such a familiar routine that I couldn't see any other options. I wanted to change but I didn't know what I could do differently. Being able to reframe my negative experiences as positive desirable qualities gave me hope that my future doesn't have to reflect my past. I felt more confident about interviews and as a result I was able to get the dream job I had been wanting for a long time!

Jenn Pomponio

Hayward, California

“Since working with her, I have been asked to join a company as a partner instead of an employee, which is better suited to my entrepreneurial spirit.”

I was experiencing burnout in a field that I was no longer passionate about and had no idea where to go next. I feel a lot more at ease about my future. Working with Sophee helped me regain my confidence and be more intentional about how I presented myself to potential employers. Since working with her, I have been asked to join a company as a partner instead of an employee, which is better suited to my entrepreneurial spirit. Sophee helped me realize that this type of working relationship is part of what I need to be happy and have a balanced working experience.

Carli

Vancouver, Canada

“Now I feel confident that this new career field was the right one for me.”

Walking away from the coaching experience, I achieved my ultimate goal: I transitioned into a new field, earning a higher salary than I did before, without having to go back to school. The tools and resources Sophee shared along the coaching journey made a huge difference in the transition process. The mock interview we did before my real interviews helped me to practice and feel more prepared, which ultimately led to me landing a job in a new field, like I had hoped. I also learned strategies for my mindset that I will use in the future when I'm feeling stressed again. Now, I get out of the stress zone faster. I was surprised that some of the sessions had such deep questions. I think I was surprised by some of my own answers to those questions. I appreciated them because they made me think through things and recognize the "why" behind some of my approaches to life and job seeking. Now I feel confident that this new career field was the right one for me.

Valerie Moroz

Austin, Texas

“Coaching helped me focus on breaking down abstract goals into something more tangible and approachable, identifying the gap between where I am and where I want to be.”

My overall goal was to get a new job that was more aligned with me, and I got it! Sophee supported me with creating actionable items, and then being accountable to them really helped in taking steps towards my goal. The coaching helped me focus on breaking down abstract goals into something more tangible and approachable, identifying the gap between where I am and where I want to be, and keeping a positive mindset throughout the whole process. I'll certainly be more positive about myself and my value. I have a tendency to skew negative, and the coaching experience helped me realize how doing so can be more self-sabotaging than anything else. I spend so much time thinking about "what if things don't go well;" it helped to have someone counter "but what if they do?"

Emil Yan

“I saw that she genuinely cared and wanted to help support me.”

Working with Sophee allowed me to see that I can find ways to make small improvements in my current role which can have large impacts to overall quality of life, and I'm examining why I think a certain way and how to make that thinking work for me. I surprised myself with how open I was and how much I was willing to share with Sophee. I think this is because of how comfortable she made me feel and I felt like I could trust her because I saw that she genuinely cared and wanted to help support me. I would also say that I really appreciated the resources she was able to share with me that I did not know even existed.

Koonal Patel

“I no longer felt the anxiety I have always felt.”

I was so indecisive before this coaching program. I was unable to make my own decisions and I was always looking to people for answers so I could avoid making my own decisions. Things really started to change when I got in the swing of having boundaries set. I no longer spoke to my friends and family every single day, allowing me to make my decisions. I no longer felt the anxiety I have always felt. It’s all still a work in progress, but I now can recognize the things I need to continue to work on and the growth that I have had since starting with Sophee.

Nat

Vancouver, Canada

“I have become more self aware and confident.”

In the beginning of our session, I was very apprehensive. I did not know what I was looking for or what I wanted to change. Through the journey, I explored more about who I was and what were the characteristics that defined me. I also identified what I wanted and learnt to achieve it. I have become more self aware and confident. I have also learnt to not be afraid of the future but look forward to it. I also had an issue regarding making informed decisions and I believe it has also been resolved.

S. Ramkumar

Mumbai, India