My Decade-Long Journey to Youth Coaching

If you have a student between the ages of 14 and 25, you know this period is exciting, confusing, and often stressful. The pressure to "figure out the future" can feel immense, for both the student and the parent footing the bill. My own commitment to solving this problem began simply: in 2010, I started volunteering in a high school career guidance office. Watching students struggle to translate their dreams into completed university applications—that’s where I found my life’s work, and I launched my own coaching company in 2013. It was initially called The Right School Fit, but as I saw the deeper need for long-term planning, I changed the name to Right Career Fit in 2018 to reflect our focus on the whole professional journey. In fact, this month, October, marks our 12th anniversary of serving families and students!

Seeing Beyond University Forms

That volunteer experience was an eye-opener. While I started by helping students fill out paperwork and meet deadlines, I quickly realized the real need wasn't clerical. It was foundational. Students weren't just confused by the forms; they were unsure about the direction those forms represented. They lacked a clear sense of their BEAVI © (Beliefs, Experiences, Abilities/skills, Values, and Interests), of what truly excited them, and how their passion could connect to a viable career.

I saw gifted and bright students choose majors based on what they thought they should do or what their parents/friends recommended, rather than what they wanted to do. This realization—that career and academic success starts with self-discovery long before the application process—was the turning point that inspired me to dedicate my academic and professional life to coaching and to driving awareness of the vital role of the fundamental skills of career literacy for success.

Strategy for the Next Generation

My coaching practice today is built on that initial insight: Career Literacy is the ultimate competitive advantage. For today's youth, the career landscape changes fast. A high-school sophomore needs a different level of guidance than a college senior preparing for their first job, but both need a coherent strategy.
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For parents, this means their investment in education and coaching is intentional and informed, not just hopeful. You don't just pick a major; you explore your BEAVI ©, test different pathways, and make educational choices that genuinely align with your future goals. This holistic approach helps your students avoid costly mistakes and ensures they are building a strong, authentic professional identity from the ground up.

The Coaching Advantage: Structured Support for Every Step

The 14-to-25 age range is defined by pivotal transitions: high school to college, college to career. My background—starting with those basic application requirements in 2010 and evolving through years of deep-dive strategy and lifelong learning allow me to offer you structured support at every turn.
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Together with your student, we address everything from selecting high school courses and exploring potential college majors to crafting compelling internship resumes and mastering interview techniques. We focus on academic habits that promote resilience and self-advocacy. When a student understands why they are making a decision, they own the outcome. They gain not just a career plan, but the crucial confidence to navigate any professional challenge life throws at them.

Conclusion

My journey from a school volunteer to a full-time coach is a testament to the belief that every young person deserves a clear, confident path forward. If you or your child are facing a complex academic decision or an uncertain career launch, know that you have someone ready here to provide the focused expertise and individualized strategy you need to thrive.

Let's turn confusion into clarity with Career Literacy.

​Ready to design a path that truly fits your or your student’s future?

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I am Hoda Kilani CCDP ®, CPCC, certified Career and Academic coach. As a private practitioner, I guide students, young people, parents, teachers and community partners to confidently activate what's next. I travel the globe as a conference and event keynote speaker focusing on increasing Career Literacy. 
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