Life Coach Helps Guide Careers

SIOUX FALLS, SD - If you find yourself bored at work, or not inspired to get out of bed to go to work, you might be like many Americans who don't find personal satisfaction in their current jobs. But help is available.

Mary Wheaton spent 20 years as a project manager for Hutchinson Technologies in Sioux Falls.

"I had not thought about working anywhere else. This was my career. This was what I was going to do," Wheaton said.

Not giving a second thought to a second career, Wheaton found herself in that very position when Hutchinson announced a big round of layoffs. However, she wasn't devastated like so many who hear that kind of news. Instead, she felt opportunity was knocking.

"I enjoyed my work there, but I was losing my meaning or purpose there," Wheaton said.

Wheaton turned to Lois Hoogeveen, a life coach, to help her find that purpose again.

"When I work with them, it's about growing them, helping them set goals, do a reality check. 'Who are you really and what are you looking for.'" Hoogeveen said. "It's not a surprise to anybody what they discover, but it gives them language that they didn't have before. They have words that help describe what they've known in their heart but just didn't quite know how to express."

Hoogeveen says many clients come to her when they're considering changing careers, but don't know exactly what it is they're looking for. Wheaton's coaching sessions revealed she was passionate about helping others.

She was excited to go back to school and started working on that second career at Colorado Technical University taking courses to become a medical assistant.

"It almost gives them freedom, I guess, I would say freedom and probably courage," Hoogeveen said.

Once a project manger, now a nurse, Wheaton is excited to begin her new position with Avera McGreevy in the upcoming weeks.

"I can really go forth from here with a lot of confidence knowing that I took time and researched this and have found myself a place where I really fit in and feel like I'm serving and doing what I wanted to do," Wheaton said.

Hoogeveen says companies benefit too, when employees passions are allowed to align with their work.