Today we’d like to introduce you to Stephanie Shackelford.
Stephanie, please share your story with us. How did you get to where you are today?
I still remember the day when I was in high school, sitting at my desk and unable to concentrate on my homework because I kept trying to picture myself a few years down the road. Where would I be in college? What would I be majoring in?
Fast forward into my future. I graduated in three years with my undergraduate degree from Vanderbilt University, and I spent my fourth year there getting my Masters in Organizational Leadership. I am currently pursuing my Doctor of Education and am writing my dissertation on how young adults discover their career callings.
I navigated college and figured out how to apply my strengths in a satisfying career – but not without a lot of help along the way. Now through my doctoral research and my work with Student Launch Pad, I am helping other students find their way through the same questions and struggles that I faced.
Great, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
Starting a student coaching company was tricky at first primarily because five years ago – and even today – coaching is mainly something associated with executives. After clarifying our messaging and how we launch students into their futures, we needed to identify our target market and how to communicate the importance of students taking action for their futures now, rather than waiting for a crisis moment.
Please tell us about Student Launch Pad.
Student Launch Pad provides performance coaching for high school and college students.
Through a series of assessments, exercises, and coaching, students discover their sweet spot, where their strengths, passions, and values intersect for the ultimate future!
Through Student Launch Pad’s programs, students identify what major, college, and career are best for them. As a result, they…
-Know what major and career are best for them
-Select their top colleges
-Complete their college applications and essays
-Get accepted to their dream college!
-Graduate on time and save $37,000 in the process by not changing majors and wasting extra time in school.
Do you look back particularly fondly on any memories from childhood?
My family loved to travel, so I have a lot of fond memories of trips – hiking in the mountains, relaxing on the beach, or even exploring our neighborhood after dinner as a little girl. Our family would walk an old dirt road near our house and look for animal footprints in the dirt. Connecting as a family even in simple ways is a very special memory.
Contact Info:
- Website: http://studentlaunchpad.com
- Phone: 404-662-2205
- Email: stephanie@studentlaunchpad.com
- Facebook: www.facebook.com/StudentLaunchPad/
