“Working with Carissa has been clear, concise, and uplifting from our very first meeting. Her energy and experience made all the difference in whether I found a job in 3 months or a year. She guided me through exercises that helped me identify my strengths, build confidence, and translate my skills as an educator. The tools she provided attracted numerous recruiters and helped me land a fully remote job as a Learning Experience Designer in nonprofit. I highly recommend her to anyone seeking comprehensive tools, invaluable encouragement, and a down-to-earth person to work with."

- Jessica C.

Update: Jessica's brand has drawn interest from companies like Google, e.l.f. Beauty, & Peet’s Coffee. She has since been recruited by Airbnb as an Instructional Designer.

"When I first started working with Carissa, I felt completely stuck. Through her coaching process, she helped me discover who I am and what kind of work would truly allow me to thrive. She kept me grounded in the reality of where my skills and strengths truly belonged. When I felt like giving up, she was a beacon of positivity. What sets Carissa apart is that she doesn't simply write your résumé or hand you a generic career guide. She helps you understand not only what you can do, but who you are and how to communicate your value with confidence. This is true coaching. It’s a process of self-discovery, emotional grounding, strategic positioning, accountability, and knowing when to push you beyond your comfort zone. I landed six interviews and accepted a full-time Lead Instructional Designer position with an EdTech company. But the greatest gift she gave me was a process I can use for the rest of my career.”

- AJ P.

“I cannot recommend Carissa enough for her coaching. From our very first call, I knew she not only knew her stuff, but would be with me every step of my journey. Her resources helped me understand each part of the process and she knows just what to say to help in any situation (whether it be transitioning career specific or keeping me calm when I continued to overly stress myself out). I have already been able to acquire a new job and I believe that is all due to Carissa's guidance and the hard work I was willing to put in through the process. I cannot stress this enough: if you are a teacher looking/needing to transition out of the classroom, make Carissa your first contact. You won't regret it!”

- Samantha S.

"Before I worked with Carissa, I was struggling to get my foot in the door for positions. I found it so hard to understand the norms of the non-academic industry. Carissa's coaching to ensure that accuracy doesn't undermine or undersell the value of my work was incredibly helpful. Her whole philosophy is grounded in you as an applicant being able to see yourself in your materials, not just a marketing strategy. The work ran so much deeper and infused me with a sense of confidence. She is all about people finding a good fit that will set them up for a good value, culture and job satisfaction match. When I got my offer, she was so helpful through the negotiation phase. Her tips were so clear, simple, and effective. I got a raise in my base salary! Imagine having an advocate for you, through your job search journey, in your corner ensuring that you are doing what's best for you. That's Carissa."

-Sumitra T.

I felt stuck in my job search, overwhelmed, and unsure how to cut through the noise. From the start, Carissa provided incredibly clear, focused guidelines and tailored support that made me feel like her only client. She helped me feel seen as a person, not just another participant in a job hunt. I landed the Senior Executive Assistant role at Harvard University and negotiated higher pay with more flexibility. More than the offer itself, I walked away with a better understanding of how to approach my career and a path to buy back my financial and mental wellbeing. Carissa approaches each situation methodically and with patience. I highly recommend her!

- Samantha A.

"Carissa helped me reframe my teaching experience so it spoke directly to the finance industry and build a personal brand around my strengths in instruction, learning, and community-building. Coming from classroom teaching, I felt limited in how my experience could translate outside of education, but through her coaching, I was able to expand what I thought was possible for my career. She helped me recognize that the skills I developed as an educator could create a positive impact beyond the classroom, and her interview prep and guidance helped me land a role as a Community Impact Officer that I genuinely love.”

- Lauren W.

“Working with Carissa was life changing. She helped me get clear on my direction and own the value of my experience in a whole new way. Her coaching gave me the structure and confidence I needed to approach my job search differently and intentionally. I landed a new role with a 24% salary increase and feel genuinely aligned with where I'm going next. I'm grateful for her guidance and support."

- Jacky R.

“After being laid off from a 25-year teaching career in higher education, I was devastated and unsure how to move forward. Carissa encouraged me to pause and focus on my wellbeing before diving into strategy, helping me rebuild from a place of strength. With her guidance, I gained clarity, rebranded my résumé and LinkedIn, and strengthened my networking & interviewing skills. As a result, I secured six interviews and received two job offers in union advocacy. Her holistic approach and genuine care gave me the clarity and confidence I needed. I can’t recommend her enough!”

- Jennifer K.

"I began working with Carissa when I was in my first role outside K-12, as a corporate trainer. After over a year, I knew I wanted something different but felt scared to take another leap and stuck on how to begin the process again. She helped me get clear on what I wanted, taught me how to talk about my experience with confidence, and encouraged me to build relationships across the industry along the way. Culminating in a Curriculum Manager role that's remote, pays better, and lets me keep making an impact in education in a way that finally feels sustainable. I'm so grateful for her guidance through that season, and for helping me see what was possible when I couldn't quite see it myself."

- Caitlynn B.

"Working with Carissa completely transformed my confidence. She helped me translate my teaching experience into skills that employers in other industries truly valued. Thanks to her guidance, I landed a job outside of education, which is something I thought I could never do. I now work for Feed More, a proud member of Feeding America, a nonprofit that helps strike hunger throughout the nation. I am still doing meaningful, impactful, and life changing work, just in a different way! I highly recommend Carissa and her services to anyone looking to make an exit out of teaching!"

- Julia F.

“Carissa is such a blessing to me! She is a great listener and is so empathetic and encouraging. As a former educator, she understands what teachers have to offer and helped me translate my strengths into language used in the corporate world. When I got an interview with a company I was really excited about, she walked me through the entire process, and with her help, I landed a hybrid administrative coordinator role that will be very fulfilling for me. I can’t say enough about her encouragement, support, and the confidence she gave me to succeed. I am truly blessed to know her!"

- Kathy R.

“Carissa is an incredibly thoughtful, caring, and supportive career coach. She helped me find career clarity at a time when I felt overwhelmed by my transition out of education. Her materials were clear, high-quality, and easy to follow, exactly what you would expect from a fellow former educator. After following her networking advice, I landed an outreach role in the new field I’m transitioning into. If you are going through a career transition, I would absolutely recommend Carissa as a career coach and mentor.”

- Sara R.

“Working with Carissa was a joy! She was so welcoming, informative and knowledgeable. She let our sessions be a conversation where we figured out what paths make the most sense with my passions, interests and experience combined. We landed on job paths that I didn't even think were tangible. She's given me a framework to improve my job hunting, networking and engagement that makes sense to me. I would 100% recommend working with her."

- Chelsea G.

“I would absolutely recommend working with Carissa. The clarity, confidence, and direction she instilled in me is something I may not have ever gained if I didn’t join the program. Coming from education, I had no idea how to navigate a job search in the real world. When I joined, I just wanted any job. That shifted. I learned that the things I truly loved and was good at were the roles I should be targeting, and networking should be just as much a priority as applying. I now feel incredibly confident building toward a career in sports marketing and turning it into my own business. Doors are opening and things are moving. Everyone has something to offer the marketplace and Carissa helps you see that.”

- Chris L.

“Carissa is the best! She blew my mind with how well she knows this stuff and how encouraging she is throughout the process. Before starting her program, I struggled with resume preparation and interviewing, but she helped break everything down into bite sized pieces, making it so much easier to grow into a more professional mindset. Now, I feel very clear and confident about my career purpose and I know the value I bring. I landed a role as a Field Office Manager and I couldn’t be happier. If you’re thinking about working with Carissa, definitely do it. It’s a great learning experience that will give you the confidence and clarity you need to land your next job.”

- Dalene B.

“Working with Carissa has been a fantastic choice as I transition out of my school-based roles. I was feeling intimidated by the prospect of job-searching outside of the roles and industries I've accustomed to, but Carissa's program helped make this feel far less daunting than it could be. Carissa feels like a true partner in this work. She listens with empathy, provides kind and candid feedback, and tailors her work to meet you where you are at in your search. As we worked together, I not only felt more confident in what I bring to the table, I also discovered new ways of looking at my career and the skills and expertise I have developed. Carissa was optimistic and encouraging throughout our time working together, and I feel empowered to find the roles that will fit my purpose because of her help. I'd highly recommend anyone serious about making the transition out of a school-based role to partner with her!”

– Kevin G.

“Before working with Carissa, I felt overwhelmed by the desire to leave the classroom but had no idea where to start. Her personalized support and actionable strategies gave me the confidence to identify work that aligns with my values and take concrete steps toward it. With her coaching, I turned my ideas into a small business with clear goals, and I now feel confident pursuing opportunities that once felt out of reach. Carissa’s unwavering support helped me reframe challenges and keep moving forward.”

- Megan M.

“I was navigating a career transition out of teaching while adjusting to life back in the U.S. and feeling unsure of my next steps. From the start, Carissa created a comfortable, supportive space that prioritized wellbeing and self-reflection before jumping into resumes or job applications. Her thoughtful, personalized guidance helped me clarify my values, set meaningful goals, and approach my transition with confidence and focus. I now feel aligned, confident, and deeply grateful for her insight and encouragement. She continues to support me as I navigate new professional challenges. Working with Carissa has been an amazing experience and I could not recommend her more!!"

- Jennifer S.

“I highly recommend Carissa Kerrissey to anyone navigating a career transition. Before working with her, I felt overwhelmed by the job market and was unsure where to focus my energy, how to position myself as a transitioning teacher, or how to navigate a hiring process that had changed significantly. She helped me gain clarity and translate my experience in a way that resonates with employers. She supported me through networking and interviewing and was incredibly generous with her time and insight. I now feel far more confident as a candidate and have a much clearer direction for my future career.”

- Kim B.

“Do it! Before working with Carissa, I felt like I was never going to be able to get out of where I was. She is an amazing sounding board who will help you wade through all the voices in your head and prepare yourself for your next opportunity. She is such a champion of who you are and is amazing at highlighting all the things you bring to the table that you might not see or be able to admit. She helped me crack through the imposter syndrome we feel as educators, especially as women, and gave me the ability to explain my transferable skills outside of education without slipping into teacher speak. You’ll walk away feeling like you’ve been in private industry your entire career. Highly recommend!”

- Jessica M.