A woman sitting on a chair smiling in a room with large windows and a vase of flowers.
A person's hand is holding a blue pen, writing on paper with sketches or comics, on a wooden table. In the background, there is a white ceramic mug and a closed notebook.

Individual + group coaching support for moms seeking clarity and direction their next career chapter

CAREER COMPASS

You've been thinking about this for a while now. It's time to stop thinking and start moving.

Career Compass is a 5-month group coaching program for ambitious moms who are ready to get clear on what's next and actually do something about it.

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

This is where you start finding your way forward.

Schedule a Free Discovery Call
Schedule a Free Discovery Call
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.

Maybe you've been in the same role for years and something has quietly shifted.

Maybe you stepped away to raise your kids and now you're ready to come back, but not to what you left.

Maybe you were laid off or left a role, and for the first time, you're asking a different question: not "how do I get the next job" but "what do I actually want?"

You're not stuck because something is wrong with you.

You're stuck because you're trying to figure out what's next without a compass.

This is for you if you...

  • You've been thinking about making a change for months (maybe years) and nothing has actually moved.

  • You feel grateful for your life and guilty for wanting more. Both things are true at the same time.

  • You've built a successful career that no longer feels like you, but you don't know what "more aligned" actually looks like yet.

  • You stepped away to raise your kids and now you're ready to come back, but not to what you left. You want to come back to something that fits who you are now.

  • You got laid off (or are afraid you might be) and you're determined not to just grab the first available thing.

  • You've tried to figure this out on your own. The research, the lists, the conversations with friends. And you're still spinning.

  • You're done waiting for the right time. You know the right time is now.

Career Compass meets you exactly where you are. You don't need clarity to start.

Getting clear is the work.

Before we go further, let's be clear about what Career Compass is not.

It is not a resume service.

It is not a job board or a list of job search tactics.

It is not generic career advice you could find in a Google search.

It is not a program that tells you what to do next before understanding who you are now.

If you've worked with a career coach before and walked away feeling like you got obvious advice that didn't move you… this is different.

Career Compass starts where most programs skip: inside. We begin with who you are today, what you value now, what you're willing to leave behind, and what you've been afraid to want. The external work — the resume, the LinkedIn, the networking — follows from that foundation. And when it does, it works.

Because a polished resume without direction just gets you faster to the wrong place.

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.

  • A clear definition of success for this chapter of your life
    So you stop chasing someone else’s version of “enough” and start making grounded, confident decisions.

  • Clarity on your direction
    Including 1–2 aligned career paths that fit your skills, values, and real life, not just what looks good on paper.

  • A clear, realistic plan for what’s next
    A focused action plan with prioritized steps, so you know exactly where to put your energy and attention.

  • Language and confidence to talk about your experience and direction
    So networking, interviews, and conversations feel natural instead of awkward or forced.

  • Momentum and follow-through
    So you stop spinning, move forward with intention, and adjust your course without losing confidence.

  • A coach who’s been there
    Offering honest guidance, perspective, and support as you navigate uncertainty and make decisions.

  • A supportive community and built-in accountability
    So you’re not doing this alone, and you keep moving forward even when self-doubt creeps in.

  • Practical tools you can return to again and again
    Frameworks to quiet the noise, evaluate options, and recalibrate your direction as your life and priorities evolve.

Abstract background with large, overlapping light blue and gray shapes.
A woman with long wavy brown hair smiling, leaning forward with hands clasped on a kitchen table.
Laptop displaying video call with multiple participants, green ceramic mug on wooden table.

Success Stories

A woman with long blonde hair smiling, wearing a white and blue patterned shirt against a light beige background.

“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)

A young woman with shoulder-length brown hair, wearing a navy blazer and a pink top, standing indoors near a window with a smile.

“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

A smiling woman with long brown hair, wearing a dark blouse, white pants, a pearl necklace, and a bracelet, leaning forward with hands clasped.
Two people holding hands across a wooden table, with two mugs of coffee, a lit candle, and a potted plant on the table.

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

Career Compass goes deeper because:

  • It starts with 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 what's possible without pressure to have all the answers.

  • It pairs strategy with mindset work — because you can't take action when your inner critic is running the show.

  • It puts you in a room with women who are doing the same work, so you stop feeling like you're the only one.

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

Abstract digital background with shades of blue and curved shapes.

"She thought she came to fix her resume and find a new job. What she got instead was a mindset transformation, far greater than anything she thought she signed up for."

Three women joyfully laughing and talking under an umbrella during a sunny day.
A cozy coffee table scene with a lit candle, a cup of hot chocolate, a closed notebook, and a pen in front of a fireplace.

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)

A woman with long blonde hair wearing a white button-up shirt and black pants standing against a plain light gray background.

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)

Let's do this!

JOIN TODAY TO STOP SPINNING AND START MOVING TOWARD A PATH THAT FEELS RIGHT.

Schedule a free discovery call
Schedule a free discovery call
A woman seated on a stool, smiling, in front of a window with the words "THE idea KITCHEN" in the background. She is wearing a patterned dress and sandals.

Hi, I’m Dara

I know what it feels like to be good at something that no longer feels like enough.

After nearly 20 years in corporate media and ad sales, I had built the career I was supposed to want. And then, first slowly, then all at once, it stopped fitting. Not because I failed. Because I changed.

I negotiated a job-share arrangement to try to make it work. And eventually I found a coach who helped me ask a question I hadn't let myself ask before: what do I actually want now?

That question changed everything.

I created Career Compass for the woman I was. The one who had done everything right and still felt like something was missing. The one who needed a structured, supported space to get quiet enough to hear herself think.

I've now worked with over 250 women through career transitions. The pattern is always the same: the clarity work has to come first. Once a woman knows what she actually wants, the path forward stops feeling impossible and starts feeling inevitable.

That's what we do here.

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.

Abstract light blue and teal geometric background with overlapping shapes and curved lines.
A blank abstract background with large blue and light blue curved shapes.
Let's Chat
Let's Chat

Any Questions?

  • The next co-hort will launch mid 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.

  • The cost of staying stuck is real too. It just doesn't show up on a credit card statement. It shows up in Sunday evenings you can't enjoy, in work that drains you, and in the version of yourself you keep putting off until later.

    The women who get the most from this program are the ones who are tired of another year passing without anything changing.

    If you're unsure whether it makes sense for your situation, bring it to our discovery call. I'll be honest with you about whether this is the right fit, and if it isn't, I'll tell you that too.

Next Cohort Launching Fall 2026!

Take the next right step.

YOU’RE CLOSER THAN YOU THINK. LET’S FIND YOUR DIRECTION.

Schedule a free discovery call
Schedule a free discovery call