Learning Lab Session 1 - Curiosity in Career Coaching

This interactive session explores how curiosity and individual strengths shape effective career coaching. Participants will consider how to join with clients rather than act as the expert, integrate coaching principles, and apply a strengths-based approach to support client-led career direction.

You’ll explore:

• Approaching clients with curiosity rather than assumptions

• Joining with clients instead of directing or advising

• Applying core coaching principles and techniques

• Using a strengths-based lens to help clients identify their own direction

Key take-aways:

• Building trust and effective working relationships

• Using curiosity as a tool for insight and connection

• Identifying and articulating clients’ existing strengths

Instructor: 

Jesse Thiessen

Jesse is a Certified Organizational Coach (UBC) with over nine years of experience in career coaching. He currently works as a consultant with a large HR firm, supporting individuals navigating career transitions, and also maintains a private coaching practice. Jesse has a strong interest in Emotional Intelligence and is certified in EQi 2.0 and EQ 360 assessments. He believes that understanding ourselves and embracing our uniqueness creates clarity, confidence, and freedom.

Learning Lab Session 2 - Neuro-Awareness in Career Practice: A Brain-Friendly Approach to Change

A practitioner-focused session exploring how insights from positive psychology and brain-aware coaching practices can support clients navigating change, identity shifts, and inner narratives. Rather than seeing internal challenges as flaws to fix, we’ll explore how they often reflect meaningful past adaptations, and their potential to become powerful entry points for self-awareness and growth.

This reflective and practical session will connect directly to career development practice, including:

• What positive psychology research suggests about habit, motivation, and change

• How to invite clients into deeper reflection on self-perceptions that may be shaping their current patterns or choices, and support them to explore new possibilities for growth

• Three practical tools to support meaningful career transitions through a whole-person lens

Instructor: 

Rachel Newton - Life Career Studio 

Rachel Newton, MTC ACC CBCC MQT, is a Career Energy Coach and group facilitator who supports professionals navigating life and career transitions with clarity and confidence. Since founding Life Career Studio in 2011, she has guided hundreds of clients and led over 100 transformative workshops and group programs. As a Positive Psychology Coach, Certified Body-Centered Coach, and Medical Qigong Therapist, Rachel blends insight, presence, and meaning to create safe, empowering and inclusive spaces for growth. She is passionate about community-led dialogue and the wisdom that emerges from shared experience.