MicrobioJess Career Coaching
If you are seeking results-oriented, actionable, real-world guidance on your next professional step, I would love to work with you! My approach will ensure that your personal well-being and values are an integral part of your career exploration journey.
“Jessica was helpful in helping me think about my post-PhD career plans. She offered a unique perspective that helped me see things in a new way. She provided several resources to further my search along with good advice about next steps. I would highly recommend her.” - Andrew W.
Jessica M. Vélez, PhD
Career Coaching Services
Where to start, where to go?
In this two-session series, we will:
- Conduct a thorough self-assessment of your current goals, values, and needs.
- Work together to ensure that you're taking both your professional and personal goals, values, and needs into account during your job search.
Ready, set, research!
In this four-session series, you will learn specific, actionable techniques to apply to your career exploration. The discussion and exercises during each session will be personalized based on your needs.
- Personal skills and values assessment - bringing yourself to your dream job!
- Career vision statement development and career exploration using resources
- Informational Interviews – why, how, and who
- Targeting your resume and cover letter to the job: crafting the perfect candidate, keywords, and Applicant Tracking Software (ATS)
Dare to dream
In this seven-session series, you will receive sessions on the topics in the Ready, set, research! package in additional to:
- Informational Interview reviews
- Reevaluating your career and personal goals
- Evaluate, reassess, and set SMART-ER goals to push further.
At the beginning and end of each session, we will discuss what you have learned, successes you've achieved, and what you want to address next.
Career Exploration Resources
Clients gain access to downloadable resources, including:
Decision Matrix
Ikigai Handout
Informational Interview Checklist
S.M.A.R.T.-E.R. Activity Worksheet
Custom Planners
About Me
During my 20+ year career journey, I have worked in retail, the financial industry, federal research facilities, and the non-profit sector. As part of my current role in career development, I’ve developed training to help early- and mid-career professionals develop skill sets for multiple career paths, including academia, industry, policy making, and more! I’ve helped hundreds of professionals, and now I want to help you too!
As a liberal arts major with a STEM PhD, I am uniquely qualified to understand the professional development and career informational needs of those seeking to make a career transition. My diverse educational and career background gives me personal experience and perspective on unique career exploration journeys which I am excited to share with you as you transition to a new career or explore your options as you continue your education.
Let’s work as a team to achieve your dream!
Connect with me
In the News
Interviews and Spotlights
- Bredesen Center for Interdisciplinary Studies Spotlight
- STEM Job Talk Interview
- Webinar Report: The Languages of Science – multilingual science communication awareness
- See me talking about character with middle school students! (Clip begins at 27 sec)
- Genes to Genomes Early Career Scientist Leadership Spotlight
Public Scholarship
- CourseSource: An Interactive Protocol for In-Classroom DNA Extraction
- The Conversation: Not all genes are necessary for survival – these species dropped extra genetic baggage