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When you’re stuck between where you are and where you want to be, you need the Career Compass.

You’ve poured so much into work, home, and motherhood, yet something still feels out of alignment.

You’re craving direction, a next step in your career that actually fits who you are today.

You’re not lost. You’re on the edge of rediscovering yourself.

If you know you want more (even if you’re not sure what that “more” is yet) you’re exactly where you need to be.

This is where you start finding your way forward.

Illustration of a compass rose with arrow pointing north.

Find your direction and create the next chapter you actually want:

Career Compass

CLARITY. CONFIDENCE. COMMUNITY.

Introducing: Career Compass

Your roadmap to clarity, confidence, and purposeful change.

Career Compass helps you reconnect with who you are today, define your direction, and take confident, aligned action toward a career that feels like you today.

Whether you’re ready for a complete career pivot or simply want to feel more fulfilled where you are, Career Compass combines a proven framework, a community of like-minded moms who truly get it, and accountability to help you move forward with clarity and purpose.

This is for you if you’ve..

  • Spent years climbing the corporate ladder and that no longer feels aligned

  • Want something more fulfilling and more energizing but don’t know what “more” looks like

  • Realized it’s time to redefine success on your own terms

  • Felt uncertain about how to re-enter the workforce in a way that reflects who you are today

  • Found yourself in a toxic work environment and know you deserve better

  • Been laid off (or fear you might be) and want to explore your next chapter

  • Felt afraid to leave your comfort zone, but even more afraid to stay stuck

  • Craved work that energizes you, not just work that pays well

    Career Compass meets you exactly where you are and helps you move forward with clarity and direction.

The Career Compass Framework

Creating Action from Clarity

  • Three people discussing social media reactions, including likes, hearts, and comments.

    Step 1

    KNOW YOURSELF TODAY

    Rediscover your strengths, values, and priorities

  • Illustration of a human head with a gear inside, connected to three emoticons representing happy, neutral, and sad moods, indicating emotional regulation or mental health.

    Step 2

    QUIET THE INNER CRITIC

    Rebuild confidence and self-trust.

  • A symbol showing an arrow pointing straight up and two arrows branching left and right, indicating options to go forward, left, or right.

    Step 3

    UNCOVER WHAT’S POSSIBLE

    Identify exciting, realistic next steps and paths.

  • An icon of a hand holding a group of people representing community or support.

    Step 4

    LEARN, NETWORK & TEST

    Build momentum through guided experimentation

  • A circular icon with a clock face and arrows indicating a cycle, featuring a large checkmark over the clock.

    Step 5

    CREATE YOUR ALIGNED PLAN

    Turn clarity into confident, sustainable action.

What You’ll Gain

Career Compass is your guide to the next right step.

Clarity about what truly fulfills you so that you can make confident choices instead of second-guessing yourself.

Confidence in your next direction so that you stop overthinking every move and start taking action that feels right.

A plan and momentum to make your next move so that you can job search with purpose, network effectively, and proactively find the best career for you today.

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Success Stories

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“Through the power of the course’s exercises, I was able to effectively navigate, prep and negotiate for opportunities that fit within my desired life plan.   I still have to pinch myself to believe that I landed my dream job at Pinterest AND the opportunity to consult in areas of business and clients I am most passionate about. I truly could not have manifested this reality without the tremendous support from Dara."

-Caitlin Engler, Lead Client Partner, Pinterest (Executive Pivot)

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“Through Dara’s guidance and the amazing group, I gained clarity and confidence. Her support was instrumental in helping me decide to (and feel brave enough to) launch my own business, Project Partner with Ruthie. I’m so grateful for Dara’s leadership and the community she has built.
I truly wouldn’t be here without them.”

-Ruthie Baruch, Project Partner with Ruthie, (Pause to Entrepreneur)

Why It Works

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Most career programs focus on quick fixes: resumes, job boards, and surface-level strategies.

Career Compass goes deeper.

It works because:

  • It helps you understand who you are today, not who you were before kids, before burnout, or before your confidence took a hit.

  • It gives you space to explore your options with clarity instead of pressure.

  • It blends strategy with mindset, because you can’t take action when your inner critic is running the show.

  • It offers support and accountability inside a community of women who get it.

This isn’t about forcing yourself into the next available job. It’s about building a direction that actually fits your life now..

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Success Stories

Woman with brown hair, wearing a white shirt, sitting in a craft or clothing store surrounded by racks of clothes and a wooden table with various items.

After committing to Dara’s program I was able to take an honest look at who I am and pursue doing exactly what I wanted to do. We began working together in February and by the following September I signed a lease to open my own retail store, The Stand, in Rye, NY. Now, I’m beginning an incredible new chapter and I don't think I could have arrived here without her. I would tell anyone who is looking for clarity, guidance, and happiness that this program is worth its weight in gold. It is a GAME CHANGER.”

-Betsie Carroll, Owner The Stand, Rye, NY (Pause to Entrepreneur)

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As I prepare to start my next chapter, a huge thanks to Dara who played the combined role of coach and confidence booster. Her framework helped me clarify what I really wanted, what I needed, and how to make decisions that aligned with both. I was able to really hone in on what is important to me in my career and figure out where I should focus my next step on.

-Jill Hittman, CMO, Axcel Learning (Executive/Pause Pivot)

Two Paths, One Clear Destination

CORE

✔ Ten group coaching calls across 5 months

✔ Office hours for additional accountability and individual check-ins

✔ A private What’s App group for group connection between sessions

✔ Guided modules and reflection tools

✔ A community of like-minded women on the same path.

V.I.P.

  • ✔ Ten group coaching calls across 5 months

    ✔ Office hours for additional accountability and individual check-ins

    ✔ A private What’s App group for group connection between sessions.

    ✔ Guided modules and reflection tools

    ✔ A community of like-minded women on the same path.

PLUS:

✔ Four private coaching sessions

✔ “Coach in your pocket” support from Dara whenever you need it most.

Success Stories

  • "I want to HIGHLY recommend Dara Astmann as a career coach. She has been so skilled at helping me cut through my nonsense, figure out what was holding me back, and giving me clear and actionable steps to take to move forward and achieve my goals. She understands the challenges of being a working mom, and her thoughtful guidance and perspective are truly on point. TOTALLY WORTH IT!"

    Amy M (Executive Pivot)

  • "Working with Dara has been amazing! The group turned out to be extremely helpful! It was reinforcing to hear group members' feedback and ideas and they were a great group of cheerleaders. My mentality surrounding my career has totally shifted to one of many infinite possibilities. I'm so excited what the future holds for me professionally! A huge thank you to Dara for helping me get to where I am now."

    Lauren C (Pause to Pivot)

  • “This program was transformational and an investment in my well-being. It was the approach that finally moved me to action, that shifted my thinking and gave me the confidence to make true and meaningful changes. I gained the clarity and the confidence I needed to move forward. I would highly recommend this program to anyone that feeling stuck, unaligned, dissatisfied. It is absolutely worth it."

    Jessica T. (Executive Pivot)

  • "I started working with Dara after leaving a tough job that left me burned out. She helped me get clarity on what I wanted through thoughtful questions, helpful resources, and a framework that guided my next steps. I always left our sessions feeling clearer, more confident, and like I’d made progress. I’m grateful to have found Dara and worked with her during a challenging period in my career."

    Nadine (Executive/ Pause to Consultant)

  • Honestly, I could not have imagined being where I am 3 months ago. I am working on something I am passionate about, I am building something for my community with like-minded women. I am learning so much, on so many fronts. The group is a safe place to explore your ideas and desires. It is all just moving ahead. If I wasn't accountable to Dara, I would not be in the position I am in right now.

    Lisa Nadler (Pause to Volunteer Leader)

  • My biggest milestone has been achieving clarity around my career priorities, and in doing so helped me shift my perspective. I realized how unique my current work situation is and that I can think about adding other opportunities rather than turning away from it completely. This group helped me break free from negative thought cycles and learn things about myself that will forever change how I approach work.

    Abby (Part-Time Freelance)

Next Cohort Launching Early 2026!

Let's do this!

JOIN TODAY TO STOP SPINNING AND START MOVING

TOWARD A PATH THAT FEELS RIGHT.

Join the Waitlist
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Hi, I’m Dara

After nearly 20 years in media and navigating my own career pivot as a mom, I know how overwhelming change can feel. Career Compass was born out of that experience, to help ambitious moms find their direction, gain clarity and confidence, and navigate their next chapter with purpose.

Want to see if this is right for you?

Schedule a free discovery call to learn more about Career Compass and see how it can specifically support you in reaching your goals.

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Let's Chat

Any Questions?

  • The next co-hort will launch February 2026.

  • Tuesday 12p-130p ET. Office hours will vary.

  • We will set up a call and make sure it’s a mutual fit and that you will be able to reach your specific goals in this program.

  • There is a VIP option which includes individual sessions as well as “coach in your pocket” support.

    For individual-only I have limited packages available. Reach out to discuss.

  • Pricing for Career Compass Core starts at $2,997, VIP starts at $4997 with monthly payment plans available.

Next Cohort Launching Early 2026!

Let's do this!

JOIN TODAY TO STOP SPINNING AND START MOVING

TOWARD A PATH THAT FEELS RIGHT.

Join the Waitlist