Testimonials

While I am just starting out with my coaching practice, I do have quite a long history coaching college students. I’ve asked a few to write testimonials so future clients can get an idea of what I am like to work with.

Robin Hoecker

Robin Hoecker

I started college as an engineering student but emerged as a budding photographer. The transition was a difficult one, full of trepidation and self-doubt, but in the end, I know I made the right decision. I went on to get a masters degree in photojournalism and am now working for a newspaper in Washington, D.C. I am doing what I love–what I always dreamed of doing.

Sean Cook played a huge role in my personal and professional transformation. I would probably not be where I am today if it weren’t for his advice and support. As a staff advisor for a student group I was involved in, Sean took it upon himself to help me through my transition. He is a gifted listener and has a knack for asking the right questions. Unlike some other adults in my life, he did not tell me what to do, but helped me figure out what I really wanted.

The decision to change my career path was a difficult one: leaving engineering meant losing large scholarships and going against the advice of my parents and academic advisors. Sean helped me understand why I had originally gone into engineering in the first place: for the money, to prove that women could be engineers, and to please my parents. He didn’t tell me they were the wrong reasons–he never judged me–but helped me see the situation for what it was.

Sean helped me sort out my skills and aspirations and figure out what to do instead. Most importantly, he helped me get there. He encouraged me as I took on an ambitious photo-documentary project. He even bought me a block of film (and a few meals!) as my funds for the project drew low.

Those photographs are now on permanent display at Penn State. Several of them were published in national newspapers and magazines. Two years later, after I had taken photographs in Iraq before the start of the U.S.-led invasion, Sean invited me back to campus to talk about my experiences and show my photos. I think it says a lot about him that he has continued to support me and encourage me long after I left the university.

Sean has always been there and for that I am forever grateful. I wish him the best as he takes this step forward in his own career by becoming a life coach. In my mind he has always been one and I know many people will benefit from his wisdom.

–Robin Hoecker
Multimedia Editor, The Stars & Stripes
RobinHoecker.com

Benito Stallings

Benito Stallings

Sean has a naturally outgoing personality and was a pleasure to work with. When I went to him for career advice and resume adjusting, he always listened well to my goals and made sure to offer his thoughts along with them. I even took a copy of a resume, Sean and I worked on to the Career Center for their critique and the career counselor was stunned that he couldn’t find a single mistake. He’s better than the Career Center!

Sean made sure to go the extra mile. I still remember my senior year when Sean was willing to take time out of his schedule do a mock interview and a full debriefing with another one of his staff. It was as if Sean was personally invested in my career success. He wanted to make sure that I was ready for several interviews that I had to do the following week.

It was like looking into a crystal ball! Everything that Sean said would happen in an interview happened and I was prepared.

–Benito Stallings
Campus Outreach/Ministry, DiscipleMakers

Winter Yearick

I first met Sean as a freshman in college. He was our club advisor at the time and quickly became a valuable resource for me as I worked my way through the ins and outs of the business school. After I left the organization I continued to keep in touch and he shifted into the role of a sounding board as I tried to make various life decisions over the next few years. Although I have been an alumni for more than 4 years now, I continue to keep in touch with Sean and utilize his knowledge, compassion, and dedication to helping others as I weigh new decisions in my life. I know that he has always been willing to listen with an open mind, give honest feedback, and genuinely cares about my well-being, happiness, and life passions. I would strongly recommend anyone to work with Sean if they feel the need to start over, change gears, or just weigh life choices. He will always remain someone I feel I can trust and go to for advice.

–Winter Yearick
Operations Manager, Ferguson Enterprises

Rachel Evans

Sean is an easy-going person, quick to laugh and smile. He is a good listener and feels a great deal of empathy for others. If you see Sean on the sidewalk, he will always stop to chat. He knows how to give advice without sounding judgmental.

–Rachel Evans
Harvard Law, Class of 2010

Chansonette Hall

Sean was very supportive when I was choosing my major, and helped me to see my professional goals as feasible. Sean analyzes behavior not only based on actions, but also looking at motives and people’s thought processes.

–Chansonette Hall
Department of State