Today I wanted to have an open dialogue about what it is like to be a first generation college student specifically, the unique challenges faced by first-generation Latino college students. I am always proud to share that I am a first generation college graduate and while there were many challenges that I personally faced, it really shaped my career and the professional that I am today. My experiences and challenges are what fuels my purpose today and why I am passionate about the work that I do as a career coach.

Many Latino students may feel pressure when choosing majors and careers, especially when their families discourage certain paths that are seen as low-paying. I believe it is so important to have open conversations with family about career choices.

So today I have a very special guest that will join me on this discussion of how college students navigate the college process without family support to feeling the weight of financial pressures and the responsibility to provide for their families after graduation.

My guest today is Dr. Ochoa-Galindo a senior lecturer and the director of internships in applied psychology at UIC. She is an alumnus from UIC and has been working there for 5 years. She has over 15 years of teaching experience both at the undergraduate and graduate level. In addition, Dr. Ochoa-Galindo is a licensed mental health clinician with over 18 years of experience providing individual, family, and group counseling to children, adolescents, and adults both in outpatient and inpatient settings. She has experience working with mental illness, behavioral disorders, domestic violence, sexual assault, acculturation stress, and trauma. In her spare time, she enjoys doing yoga, reading, and spending time with her family which includes her husband, 6-year-old twin daughters, 4 dogs, and 2 cats!

Connect with Dr. Ochoa on LinkedIn
In Motion Counseling

Connect with me!

• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lizherrera1/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lizcareercoaching/
• Website: https://www.lizcareercoaching.net/
• Twitter: https://twitter.com/HerreraLiz27
• Email: lizcareercoaching@gmail.com

Music: https://www.purple-planet.com
Sound from Zapsplat.com
Artwork: Joseph Valenzuela Design

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Explore Shara's journey from facing repeated licensure exam failures and personal hardships to becoming a licensed clinical social worker and successful entrepreneur. Gain insights into how she founded "Journey to Licensure," a consulting firm dedicated to guiding others through the licensure process, and learn the crucial roles of mindfulness and self-care in overcoming professional challenges. This episode is a testament to the power of resilience, offering invaluable lessons for anyone navigating their own path to professional licensing and beyond.

Episode Highlights

• Shara's journey from facing personal and professional challenges, including failing her licensing exam multiple times, to becoming a successful entrepreneur and licensed clinical social worker
• Launch of "Journey to Licensure," a consulting firm created to support social workers on their licensure journey, inspired by Shara's own challenges.
• Emphasis on the importance of mindfulness and self-care to enhance effectiveness in helping professions.
• Advocacy for aspiring social workers and therapists to prioritize their own well-being and seek support, highlighting the often-overlooked need for self-care within these professions.

About Shara Ruffin:
Shara is an independently licensed clinical social worker and former psychotherapist from Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. She holds a Bachelor's degree in social work from Lock Haven University of Pennsylvania and a Master's degree in social work from Howard University School of Social Work. Shara has specializations in grief, personality disorders, family trauma, compassion fatigue, military counseling, mindfulness meditation, ADHD, and anxiety. Shara is a Board Certified Tele-mental Health Provider. Shara is also a 5x-Amazon Best-Seller of a social work journal called, “90 Days of Prayer”. She is the author of her second best-selling social work journal “90 Days Of Inspiration”, which is a study companion for social workers taking their licensing exam. Currently, Shara is the Founder and CEO of a consulting company called "Journey To Licensure". Her company combines wellness, clinical supervision, and professional development coaching to support social workers through licensure examinations. Shara's company "Journey To Licensure" was featured in Business Insider, USA Today, and Success. Shara is also a LinkedIn Advisor and was most recently awarded "Top 15 LinkedIn Expert in Philadelphia in 2023", and the “LinkedIn Top Voice” award.

Connect with Shara:
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/shararuffin/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sharadruffin/
Podcast: Journey to Licensure Podcast

Connect with me!

• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lizherrera1/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lizcareercoaching/
• Website: https://www.lizcareercoaching.net/
• Twitter: https://twitter.com/HerreraLiz27
• Email: lizcareercoaching@gmail.com

Music: https://www.purple-planet.com
Sound from Zapsplat.com
Artwork: Joseph Valenzuela Design

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In this episode of the Liz Career Coaching Podcast, we delve into the topic of salary negotiation, a key aspect that can significantly impact your career advancement and financial health. Here are the highlights and key takeaways from the episode:

• We explore why salary negotiation is essential for every professional, regardless of their career stage, and how it can influence long-term career satisfaction and financial stability.
• We learn effective negotiation strategies and understanding your market value, and the importance of timing in negotiation conversations.
• Actionable tips emphasizing the importance of preparation, research, and a clear understanding of one's worth.
• We discuss common mistakes to avoid during salary negotiations and best practices to ensure a positive outcome.
• Emphasis on the role of self-advocacy in closing wage gaps and achieving fair compensation.
• Negotiation success stories.

About Alan Stein:
Alan Stein, Founder, CEO & Chief Accelerator, Kadima Careers

After 25 years in the corporate world, including leading global teams at Google, Meta, Salesforce and Tableau, Alan Stein launched his startup, Kadima Careers, with a mission of accelerating 1 million careers by 2040. Alan has interviewed thousands of candidates as a hiring manager, and also interviewed for thousands of times throughout his career, so he has unique insights that inform Kadima's proprietary Job Acquisition Method. When Alan isn't accelerating careers, he enjoys spending time with his three teenagers, two dogs, and one incredibly supportive wife. Alan is a lifetime New Yorker and has lived in Brooklyn for the last 19 years.

Connect with Alan:

• Website: https://kadimacareers.com/
• Podcast: https://kadimacareers.com/podcast
• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/alanjstein/

Connect with me!

• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lizherrera1/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lizcareercoaching/
• Website: https://www.lizcareercoaching.net/
• Twitter: https://twitter.com/HerreraLiz27
• Email: lizcareercoaching@gmail.com

Music: https://www.purple-planet.com
Sound from Zapsplat.com
Artwork: Joseph Valenzuela Design

Support the Show.