[quote style=”boxed”]Know yourself: Take an “interests assessment” or evaluation to receive clarity on your interests at this time of your life, and how you can apply them to a new career. Before you venture into a new career, put on your “marketing cap” and do the research to see if there is a need.[/quote]
Stressed out, timed-starved, and high achieving parents who want the best college and career options for their teenagers and avoid the “boomerang kid” effect start with Elizabeth Venturini.
Prior to starting “CollegeCareerResults” her own college admissions career practice, she successfully marketed services and products for Fortune 500 companies. Today she uses her business expertise and education to help students’ identify and present their unique talents, specific interests and educational accomplishments to the colleges of their choice. Elizabeth gives parents the freedom to focus on their family and job; not devote hundreds of hours trying to learn the college admissions machine. She is dedicated to helping parents stop wondering if they did all they could to help get their child into college and graduate with a degree to succeed in today’s competitive workforce.
An often quoted expert, Elizabeth has appeared in over 40 media outlets including The Chicago Tribune, The Sacramento Bee, The San Francisco Chronicle, The Desert Sun, Inland Empire Business News, AOL.com, About.com, CareerBuilder.com, MSN Careers, Military Families, SheBytes.com, LA Parent, and OC Parent.
Elizabeth’s expertise goes beyond mere college counseling for students. She is certified to administer the Strong Interest Inventory© and the Myers-Briggs Type Indicator® assessments which places her in a higher echelon than most private college admissions counselors. As a career development specialist she helps parents and students focus on the end result of receiving a college education – a job after graduation. Her essential advice to parents and students is this, “It’s not about getting your teens into college – it’s getting them out with a job.”
Where did the idea for CollegeCareerResults come from?
I had built up a solid marketing career working for large Fortune 500 companies. In 2008 after investing over 30 years working for others, I was laid off. If I didn’t re-invent myself, nobody else would. I discovered parents everywhere are stressed-out about getting their teens into college. But they didn’t have the time to understand how the college admissions process worked. CollegeCareerResults is a private mentoring program to take away the stress of by providing them with the answers they need about colleges, the best programs and career paths for their kids based on their kids’ interests and talents.
What does your typical day look like?
From the morning to the late afternoon, I am researching for clients, finding out information, visiting colleges, attending networking events or working on business. In the afternoons I work one-on-one with my clients (students) by telephone or Skype to help select best fit colleges, write dynamite essays, and how to find a career they will love.
How do you bring ideas to life?
I bounce ideas off of mentors that I trust to give me honest feedback before I go forward.
What’s one trend that really excites you?
I am a big believer in the work by Kathy Caprino. She provides guidance to women who are stuck in professional crisis. Her work is based on significant research not marketing hype.
I also like the work of Alexis Neely. She stresses the importance of knowing how to run your business from a legal and financial standpoint.
What is one habit of yours that makes you more productive as an entrepreneur?
When I commit to working with a client (student, Mom and Dad) I deliver my service with the idea of providing them more choices regarding college than they thought possible.
What was the worst job you ever had and what did you learn from it?
My first job out of college was working as a software support person for a small computer company. I got the job during the first Recession. But it was not a good professional fit. My real talents were in marketing, advertising, and PR. That was when I learned the importance of using my talents in ways where I could professionally shine.
If you were to start again, what would you do differently?
If I were to start again, I would have developed programs at different price points. I realized that all clients (parents) have different needs for their teens . Some just have a specific problem they want help with and others want help on a continuing basis.
Parents can learn more about my offerings by visiting this link: www.CollegeCareerResults.com
As an entrepreneur, what is the one thing you do over and over and recommend everyone else do?
Know yourself: Take an “interests assessment” or evaluation to receive clarity on your interests at this time of your life, and how you can apply them to a new career. Before you venture into a new career, put on your “marketing cap” and do the research to see if there is a need.
What is one strategy that has helped you grow your business? Please explain how.
I am into building relationships not looking at clients as financial transactions. That is why I provide my clients with a complimentary 30-minute strategy session.
What is one failure you had as an entrepreneur, and how did you overcome it?
I thought with all of my marketing experience that I would have no problem acquiring clients. But it is much different to market yourself compared to a big branded company. When you are on your own and the big name is stripped away you realize it’s all about you. You are the brand and you have to stand on the strength of your brand and the quality of the products or services you provide.
I had to differentiate myself from all of the other college admissions counselors that were doing the same thing as me. I learned how to create a niche and a brand. And I learned the importance of creating an online presence through PR. By learning the art of online media relations I went from a zero online presence to landing the number one spot on Google for College Career Strategist in one year.
For some of my insights on college admissions go to www.CollegeCareerResults.com
What is one business idea that you’re willing to give away to our readers?
Besides helping teenagers with college I also help transitioning adults. Take advantage of my complimentary 30-minute strategy session to help you with the next phase of your career at www.CollegeCareerResults.com.
Tell us something about you that very few people know?
I am a high-end Italian shoe-aholic.
What software and web services do you use? What do you love about them?
I use the Square to process online transactions. It’s very simple to use and I never miss an opportunity to work with new clients.
I love ; it helped me put my name on the map as a leading expert in college counseling.
What is the one book that you recommend our community should read and why?
Breakdown Breakthrough by Kathy Caprino
Everyone will see their professional self in this book and how they can claim a life of passion, power and purpose.
What people have influenced your thinking and might be of interest to others?
Kathy Caprino at www.breakdownbreakthrough.com. She can guide you to a career you will love.
Nancy Juetten at www.authenticvisibility.com. She can show you how to look like a media rock star.
Alexis Neely at www.eyeswideopenlife.com. She can help you avoid the legal potholes when running a business.
Connect:
Elizabeth Venturini on Twitter: @ElizabethVentu2
Elizabeth Venturini on LinkedIn:
Mario Schulzke is the Founder of ideamensch, which he started a decade ago to learn from entrepreneurs and give them a platform for their ideas.