I know how it feels to be stuck.
I know what it's like to be afraid you'll never find something better.
With the insights from that experience, I'll help you feel confident and excited to land your next job.
Meet Kristi
As a PhD in English, with a specialization in Medieval Literature, I originally planned for a life as a tenured professor. Since then, I’ve successfully transitioned beyond the academy with careers in the non-profit and financial sectors, higher education, recruiting, and entrepreneurship.
From career counseling and coaching to recruiting and talent acquisition, my experience on both sides of the hiring table helps me coach my clients in their job search process. I’ve worked with people from many communities—people of color, LGBTQ (I’m a proud member of this one!), veterans, and international students—to land jobs they love. I work to understand my own privilege, and how I show up for my clients and seek to understand racial bias and the role it plays in recruiting and hiring, and use this to better coach my clients.
Born and raised on the east coast, I’ve called the Pacific Northwest home for the last fifteen years so it isn’t surprising that I love the outdoors. Walking, hiking, snowshoeing, and SUPing are ways I enjoy getting away from my computer. Creativity is a valuable and essential part of my life: I indulge in cooking and baking (dessert, anyone?); knitting; writing poetry. And of course, I love spending time with my family: two kids, wife, and an opinionated cat.
To see my complete my professional experience, click here.
My Mission
“When one door of happiness closes, another opens. But often we look so long at the closed door that we do not see the one which has been opened for us”
-- Helen Keller, To Love This Life
I help highly-educated, highly-skilled professionals find their next job or career, one that taps into their interests, values, and skills, by utilizing a full-cycle process of self-assessment, career and industry exploration, and job search preparation and execution. While working with me, you will find support, encouragement, feedback, and resources to assist you in finding a job and career that fits with you.
As a medivalist, I have to throw in some Latin: incipit means “it begins”. The name Incipit Career speaks to the reflection, application, and assessment that I guide my clients through.
Where Else You Can Find Me
Publications, Interviews, and Invited Talks
Speaker, "How did I get here? Where will I go next? Making Informed Decisions Using Your Values and Interests"
University of Missouri, 2024
Panelist and Mentor, Graduate Portuguese and Hispanic Symposium
Georgetown University 2021
Keynote, Grad Success Day
UC Riverside, 2019
Former co-host #withaphd Twitter podcast chat
How to Get Real-Life Career Experience During Your PhD Program
The Muse, 2018
The Simple Way to Translate Your Skills From Your PhD to a Non-Academic Job
The Muse, 2018
3 Things Every PhD Needs to Know About Getting a Job Outside Academia
The Muse, 2018
How to Use Your ‘Useless’ Graduate Degree to Find a Non-Academic Job
Fast Company, 2018
Resume Workshops
University of Texas, San Antonio, 2018
Panelist
Beyond the Professoriate Annual Conference, 2014, 2017
Featured In
Academics Mean Business podcast: Episode 39
During my interview with host Lindsay Padilla for her podcast Academics Mean Business, I share my thoughts on our culture’s views of what jobs and careers mean, and how to tell your story.
50 Conversations with Career Changers podcast: Boomerang careers and rejecting the career escalator
Listen to my conversation with Nicole Merill about how to navigate layoffs and career twists and turns.
Leaving Academia: a Practical Guide by Christopher Caterine
You can find my story in this book as well as practical advice and tips.
incipit: [Latin ing-ki-pit ] noun. 1. (here) begins. 2. the introductory words or opening phrases in the text of a medieval manuscript or an early printed book.
