PeerSpectives in the Media

17 Jun 2024

In this episode of the Survive2Thrive podcast, Stephanie Koonar, owner of PeerSpective and a distinguished career coach, shares her expertise on how to discover your purpose and leverage your strengths for career fulfillment. Stephanie discusses using the CliftonStrengths assessment to uncover top strengths, the critical role of networking, and building a professional brand. She offers strategies to overcome career challenges and build resilience, especially for students navigating their career paths. The episode highlights the importance of mentors and enablers in personal and professional growth, guiding listeners on their journey from merely surviving to truly thriving in their careers.

30 Apr 2024

Join us for The Thoughtful Talents Show’s Season 1 Wrap Show with special guest, CliftonStrengths coach Louann McCurdy. Louann shares insightful perspectives on leveraging personal strengths, adding immense value to our celebratory episode. Reflect on our journey and enjoy Louann’s expert contributions as we wrap up an incredible first season!

January 30, 2024

On this episode, we put the spotlight on the CliftonStrengths® Ideation® talent theme. Joining us to share personal insights are two fellow e2grow and Gallup-Certified Strengths Coaches — Louann McCurdy and Bill Beachy. With Ideation® in their top 5, Louann and Bill provide excellent examples of how Ideation® talents shows up for them, and how others might come to understand this theme.

October 17, 2023

Today on the Thoughtful Talents show we are spotlighting the CliftonStrengths® Strategic® talent theme. Joining us to share personal insights are two fellow e2grow and Gallup-Certified Strengths Coaches — Cindy Butts and Louann McCurdy. With Strategic® in their top 5, Cindy and Louann provide excellent examples of how Strategic® talents shows up for them…and how others might come to understand this theme.

April 2023

In this podcast episode, Louann McCurdy, owner of Peerspective and known as the ‘Strengths Goddess,’ shares her expertise on utilizing personal strengths during career transitions. She discusses the Gallup Clifton Strength Assessment and a free online tool to help individuals discover their strengths. Louann emphasizes the importance of understanding strengths and how they can also become weaknesses. Listen in to learn how to harness your strengths for personal and professional growth.

Dec 8, 2022

The one where Emma chats with Stephanie from Langara College about Stephanie’s journey in marketing, starting from university days to co-founding PeerSpectives Consulting; the value in taking a strengths assessment to understand your skills Stephanie’s advice for students getting into marketing.

Nov 14, 2022

Learn how adopting an “exploration mindset” and the IKIGAI framework can inform students as they embark on their path!

May 16, 2022

Becoming a manager is a natural progression in a career journey. The role of a manager is appealing as it may lead to more influence, increased pay, and the opportunity to have more control over the direction of your career. However, the role may come with increased ambiguity, unclear expectations, and the need to manage various types of employees.

However, sometimes a highly successful individual contributor when promoted to management may not end up being a talented manager. Why is that? Are there some people that are more suited for management?

February 22, 2022

Employers and Career Educators, I ask you, what does being on a meaningful career journey look like to you?

February 22, 2022

Does it feel like everyone is quitting their job these days? There is a lot of discussion on the “Great Resignation” backed up with statistics indicating that many are leaving their jobs due to overwork and burnout.

Jan 22-29, 2022

CAASA Career Showcase

January 21, 2022

Many students feel lost and confused and are not sure of their next steps. They often feel a pressure to choose one career for the rest of their life.

As career educators, we know that this is not the case. A career is a lifelong journey that includes many jobs, volunteer opportunities and roles. Most career journeys will require us to adapt and pivot as circumstances change and new opportunities present themselves.

Fall 2021

Canadian College and University Fair (CCUF)

Fall 2021

Canadian College and University Fair (CCUF)

9 December 2021

Listen as Stephanie Koonar shares with Tracey Bissett the importance of finding ” your reason for being”—or ikigai—in order to live a more purpose-driven and fulfilled life. Stephanie shares her advice for building practical skills, as well as growing your network so you can broaden your knowledge.

9 December 2021

Working in higher education is extremely rewarding–you know this to be true.

Whether you’re involved in recruiting, registering students, or teaching them once they arrive, you play an important role in their higher ed journey.

It’s an important role because it ultimately leads them to their career journey. But how many students are well-prepared for this transition?

22 November 2021

This year’s incoming students had a very different experience from that of students past who applied, enrolled, and arrived on your campus. You know well the challenges that they faced and the commitment and resilience that they portrayed to achieve this remarkable feat.

The question now is, how can you support their persistence? And how can you encourage them to receive the maximum value from their unique higher education journey?

September 23, 2021

Shawn Achor in his book, The Happiness Advantage, refers to the research of Yale psychologist Amy Wrzeniewski where she found that employees can have three “work orientations:” We can see our work as a Job, Career or Calling.

September 23, 2021

No matter your field, all employers are looking for employees with strong, practical skills, like problem solving and communication.