Celia Howen
Celia Howen is a seasoned Career and Personal Development Consultant and the founder of CH Consulting, where she specializes in helping individuals make intentional, value-driven career decisions. With over 20 years of experience in higher education, Celia began her professional journey as a resident director at Westmont College, guiding students through the complexities of college life while fostering their personal and professional growth. She advanced through career counseling roles, including assistant director, associate director, and interim director, earning a master's degree in Higher Education–College Student Development along the way. Her extensive background in student development informs her holistic approach to career coaching, combining assessments, workshops, and personalized guidance.
Celia is best known for creating the Career Values Card Sort, a reflective tool that empowers clients to clarify their priorities and navigate career transitions with confidence. Drawing on principles of Chaos Theory, she helps clients identify patterns in their diverse life experiences to uncover order and insight amidst complexity. Her practice integrates certified assessments such as the Myers-Briggs Type Indicator and the Strong Interest Inventory, along with facilitation of Skills and Values exercises, StrengthsFinder workshops, resume development, job search strategies, and interview preparation. She also provides team-building and training services, emphasizing the balance of challenge and support in personal and professional growth.
Beyond her consulting work, Celia contributes to the community through volunteer counseling and board leadership. She has served with the Santa Barbara Rescue Mission and as a board member and president of Get Focused, Stay Focused, supporting schools with career planning curricula and counselor development. Currently in the soft launch phase of her Career Values Card Sort ecosystem, she continues to refine her tools and programs to provide clients with clarity, resilience, and a practical compass for their careers. Her philosophy centers on creating meaningful, hands-on experiences that help individuals align their work with their values for long-term fulfillment.
• Certified Practitioner, Strong Interest Inventory (SII)
• Certified Practitioner, Myers-Briggs Type Indicator (MBTI) Step I
• Azusa Pacific University - M.Ed.
• Get Focused, Stay Focused
What advice would you give to young women entering your industry?
My advice to young women entering this industry is to find your people—those who share your interests and values, not just your background. Be self-aware, understand what drives you, and make thoughtful, informed decisions. Building a supportive network and staying true to yourself will set you up for long-term success.
What are the biggest challenges or opportunities in your field right now?
The biggest challenges in my field right now are online fatigue from constant virtual tools and navigating the complex politics within higher education. On the other hand, there’s a significant opportunity to address a gap in career development: I’m working on creating a dedicated career values exercise—a card-sort product paired with a guided process—to help people gain clarity and make more intentional career decisions.
What values are most important to you in your work and personal life?
The values that guide my work and personal life center on the right balance of challenge and support—a principle I embraced in graduate school and carry with me today. My focus is on clarity: helping people understand their “hot why” and make decisions grounded in their values.
I strongly believe in hands-on, kinesthetic approaches like card sorting, which are far more effective than online-only methods. Information alone doesn’t create transformation; values need to be actively engaged, and the cards are designed to do just that.
Much of my work involves decoding the overwhelming messages people encounter and highlighting what truly matters. The most rewarding part is helping them recognize and leverage the strengths and insights that already exist within them.