What is a Portable Career?

Kristin Schuchman, MSW

Career Counselor
Solopreneur Coach

I work with professionals in transition, whether they’re changing careers, starting businesses, or re-launching into the workforce after an absence (i.e., raising kids or returning to school). I love helping people unlock inner potential, answer true callings, and build fulfilling professional lives.

My experiences running a branding business and a women's magazine (Nervy Girl) prepared me to focus my clients' basic messaging and career goals, while my social work training gave me the tools to help clients overcome self-limiting doubts, stress, anxiety and past work trauma. Focused on giving my clients an edge in the marketplace, I also keep pace with social media tools and human resources technology.

As a career counselor and marketing coach, I offer career seekers and solo entrepreneurs a mix of personal branding expertise, counseling skills, and clear-headed insight, helping creative and healing professionals navigate less linear career paths. As a mother who returned to school after 40, I am especially attuned to the needs of midlife professionals in transition.

Bill Johnson

Interview
& Confidence Coach

With over 20 years’ experience coaching numerous people from various walks of life and of varying abilities, Bill has a keen eye and ability to assist people in finding their confidence, identifying strengths, and encouraging growth.

Bill helps clients in virtually every stage of confidence development, from public speaking to authentic engagement with employers and during interviews. He also advises clients who are (re)entering the work force, transitioning in an upwardly mobile career, or applying to undergraduate or graduate school.

His clients know that Bill is always honest and objective and has their best interests in mind with the decisions they make collaboratively. They appreciate his openness and that they receive feedback that connects to their goals.

As part of giving back to the community, Bill donates “fee waived services” to one honorably discharged veteran a month who is transitioning from active duty to civilian life.

Portland has been Bill’s home base for over 20 years. After a tour of duty with the United States Navy as a Naval Intelligence Specialist in the Persian Gulf, he returned to Portland to pursue his education at Lewis & Clark College, where he received his Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees. His two children provide him with humility and entertainment when he isn’t coaching clients.

Kat Depner

Personal Style
& Wardrobe Consultant

Greetings savvy professional! I’m here to make sure your style works for you and not against you. Your professional impression is invaluable. It can be the reason you get a new job or client, or it can be the reason you find yourself stuck behind doors that aren’t opening. If you are stuck behind an image that is hindering your full potential, let’s help you reconnect with your wardrobe.

During my time working as a corporate recruiter, I gained first hand experience seeing the hiring methods of executives in a variety of fields. I routinely witnessed qualified candidates that failed to dress the part get put in the “No” pile by hiring managers. Conversely, I also saw candidates that lacked some important skills or experience get considered simply because of how they “came off” to the hiring team. It’s crucial to make the right impression the moment you walk in the door, beginning immediately with what you are wearing.

As the owner of Seven Styling, I have experience styling women and men from all ages and backgrounds, with an emphasis on styling working mothers and mothers re-entering the work force. You can read more about my style on my blog, Seconds To Impress.