Influential Woman · Career Coaching

Faith Mickley

Career Coach, futureplans.org

Lombard, IL

Certifications · Degrees · Memberships

Degree Bachelor of Arts in Theater Arts Degree Brigham Young University

Her Story

About Faith

I have a Bachelor of Arts in theater arts, which was a totally different field from what I do now. While I was working in different theaters, I found out about work with a vocational counselor, and that's how I started working with career coaching for a corporation. Then I decided to branch out on my own with my business, Faithmically Enterprises. It hasn't been a straight line, and that's something I tell people too - it's not always a straight line, especially these days. A lot of people don't stay in the same industry or company for 30 or 40 years anymore, so it's okay to try something new. My work focuses heavily on confidence because when someone is changing their career, it's a big part of their life, and there's a lot of fear and identity involved. I help people realize it's okay if there are scary or wobbly feelings, but we can work through that and come out on the other side. We don't analyze it like therapy or wallow in it - we acknowledge it's there, then ask what are we working towards and how do we feel the best about this. We work on those scary feelings and take micro-baby steps forward, figuring out the littlest thing we can do to move toward our goals.

Her Interview

Ten minutes with Faith

01What do you attribute your success to?

I have a lot of internal motivation and determination, and then I also have some really supportive friends and family that believe in me. So that's really important as well.

02What’s the best career advice you’ve ever received?

You might not have clarity in your dream career until you start making some steps forward.

03What advice would you give to young women entering your industry?

It's okay to take it slow and try it out on the side for a while and see what you're into, see what might work for you, and just, you know, it's okay to take your time.

04What are the biggest challenges or opportunities in your field right now?

I think sometimes people kind of assume that because they've gotten a job in the past that they know the best process to go forward to get a new position. When really, there's a lot - it's an actual skill to apply well to jobs and actually interview well. So it's something that if people are really wanting something different and even something better, then they have to work at it, and that usually involves getting some outside help, whether it's me or someone else. Getting some help with being able to decide what you really want, narrow down your options, and also to have the confidence to go after what you want, and then to be able to know the best way to apply and reach out to companies and things like that.

05What values are most important to you in your work and personal life?

Integrity is very important to me. I really want to be who I say I am and do right by people. I also think providing a good service is important - making sure that it's what people really are looking for, and that it's helpful to them, and I want to do right by them.

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