Lauren McGoodwin is Career Contessa’s CEO and #1 power move advocate with a life mission to help women build successful and fulfilling careers on their terms.
Lauren launched Career Contessa in 2013 born from her master’s thesis project aiming to close the gap in career development resources for women. Career Contessa now helps millions of women each year with their careers through content, online learning courses, and job listings.
Listen now to learn more about how you can benefit from Lauren and her work on the Find Your Passion Career Podcast
Lauren has spoken at TED Women, Yale, and Creative Artist Agency (CAA), and appeared on Cheddar TV and Good Day LA. Lauren is also the host of Career Contessa’s podcast, The Femails, covering all things work, women, and traits of success. She recently debuted her first book, Power Moves, this May 2020 from Harper Business.
College Days
Initially, Lauren went to the University of Oregon to pursue a life of teaching. She later realized the day-to-day duties of a lifelong teacher just was not for her. By the end of her four years, she graduated with a degree in education, but no clear plan in sight.
“I think for me to sum it all up, I didn’t lack ambition, I lacked direction.”
Her ambition helped her land her first job after attending all possible college events by learning from the speakers and those around her. She worked temporarily at a nonprofit which became full time. Next, she landed another job at the University of Southern California, helping her achieve her master’s degree.
“Sometimes you are blind to what’s good for you and timing matters, so I encourage people to engage with the work around them because you never know.”
Career Contessa
Lauren started Career Contessa as a side hustle after feeling that there was not enough guidance for women in the workplace.
“I wanted a super successful friend girl to give me advice and there was nobody to give you advice and there was definitely no advice on the internet.”
Lauren left her steady career at Hulu to work on Career Contessa solo for a year before an advertiser came on board.
Power Moves
Lauren started writing her book, Power Moves, to highlight the importance of taking initiative and guiding one’s own career.
“It’s more about approaching your career with progress over perfection. Small wins. Small moves, strategic moves, thoughtful moves.”
Follow Your Passion
Finding and following your passion isn’t always easy but it is always fulfilling.
“I feel like the I’m luckiest person in the world that I get to wake every day and I’m really excited to go to work.”
But Lauren mentions that there are also cons to turning your passion into your career. Your career doesn’t have to reflect your passion.
Tune in to the podcast now to hear about ways you can still be fulfilled even if you aren’t working in your passion career.
Informational Interviews
Lauren escaped her unsatisfying career by holding informational interviews and learning more about what others were doing.
“I remember I left those (interviews) feeling very energized, very jazzed up and excited. If you are unfulfilled, stay curious, stay engaged in the process.”
What’s one small thing you can do today to advance your career? Send a courageous DM, level up your Insta or start that podcast? I challenge you to write down 3 action steps that you can implement to guide your career to where you want it to be. Take initiative and realize you are #qualified!
Get the full Find Your Passion Career episode with Lauren here!
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