Amy Wolfgang, Counselor Education Alumna, Owns Local Career Counseling Practice
Amy Wolfgang, a 2008 graduate of the Counselor Education program, has accomplished a great deal in four short years. While working at the McCombs School of Business as a Career Advisor and Lecturer after graduation, Amy’s husband sparked an idea by asking if she’d ever consider starting her own company. The wheels turned, and while she wasn’t quite ready to give up her job, in 2009 Amy started a part-time practice. After the birth of her first daughter in 2010, Amy realized that it wasn’t feasible to maintain a full-time job and a part-time practice. Faced with a difficult choice between a job she enjoyed and building her own company, Amy decided to take the leap and went into full-time private practice.
Wolfgang Career Coaching, Amy’s company, works primarily with employed adults who are looking for a career change. Clients can choose between coaching, which involves an hour of between session homework for both the counselor and client, and counseling. Wolfgang Career Coaching also provides resume reviews, mock interviews, and career assessments. Since starting her company, Amy has brought on two additional coaches and is currently considering expanding into a larger space.
A typical day for Amy includes career coaching and counseling, preparing for appointments, meeting with potential clients, and all of the responsibilities that come with owning a small business. In the beginning, Amy says, “You’re the counselor, the admin, the garbage person, the sales and marketing person, and the accountant.” Amy notes that for counselors starting out in private practice, it is essential to consider what you can take on yourself, and what you may need to hire someone else to do. If all of that seems overwhelming, Amy suggests joining a group of counselors to start out.
When reflecting on what she took away from the Counselor Education program, the list was long. Amy notes that Counseling Skills, Theories, Multicultural Counseling and her practicum experience all impact her work with clients on a daily basis. In a field that is ever changing, Amy also believes in continuous professional development. In addition to earning her Professional in Career Management certification, Amy makes time for additional trainings and reads a lot of industry-related journals and websites. If it sounds like she’s busy, there’s no doubt that she is. After meeting with Amy, however, it is clear that she loves her work immensely and greatly values her time in the Counselor Education program.