Career coaching for high school and college students

Students don't need more pressure. They need a plan, and practice.

Career decisions improve with practice. I coach students through a structured process to explore real options, test what fits, and build momentum they own. Parents see the plan and the progress at every step.

Discovery

Build your profile, find careers that fit

Career profile Self-awareness Shortlist

Research

Explore paths, requirements & real conversations

Job requirements Talk to pros ✓

Career testing

Test-drive paths before committing

Day-in-the-life sims ✓

Skill building

Projects that prove your abilities

Portfolio building

Getting hired

Insider strategy, real applications

Interview ready ✓
10 yrs product development experience
5 yrs coaching students 1:1
1,000+ students have used AIPA Pathways
60+ students and families supported
For parents

You want to know they'll be okay.

You get a structured process, transparent pricing, and progress you can actually see. Join the first session, get updates as we go, and watch uncertainty turn into forward motion.

Book a free 20-min call
For students

This is your path, not another assignment.

We explore what actually fits you, test-drive careers before you commit, and build real proof of what you can do. You set the direction. I bring the tools and the map.

Try the free career assessment
The practice principle

Why start career development in high school?

Because career decision-making is a skill, and skills are built through repetition. Most students make their first real career decision the moment they leave high school, choosing a college major or a vocational path with no practice making a decision like it. Years and a lot of tuition later, they find out if it was the right one.

Students who start earlier get something no assessment can give them: reps. Every interest explored, every career tested, every small decision made is practice for the big ones. By the time the stakes are real, the process is familiar.

Will your student make a better career decision with three years of practice, or three months?

Matthew Foley, Founder

The method

A process you can see

Five stages. Every one produces something concrete your student can point to.

1

Discovery

Build a career profile, then see the careers that genuinely fit your personality, abilities, and interests.

You get: self-awareness and a shortlist that fits.

2

Research

Dig into that shortlist: real responsibilities, job requirements, and conversations with people doing the work.

You get: clarity on what the job actually involves.

3

Career testing

Simulate scenarios and test-drive the strongest paths before committing to one.

You get: evidence instead of guesses.

4

Skill building

Complete targeted projects that develop and demonstrate real abilities in that path.

You get: proof employers and admissions notice.

5

Getting hired

Applications, interviews, and insider strategy from a former Fortune 500 recruiter.

You get: action, momentum, and offers.

Coaching options

Choose the right level of support

Transparent pricing. Every option starts with a free 20-minute call to make sure it's the right fit.

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Career Discovery

$125/total

The starting point. Two focused sessions to reveal real options, validate interests, and map a practical early career plan. Built to reduce anxiety now and prevent expensive major changes later.

  • Two 30-minute coaching sessions
  • Personalized report and action plan
  • AI tools and modern career best practices
  • Full access to AIPA Pathways and all career tools
Start here
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Explorer Mode

Custom

Targeted coaching for a specific hurdle: interview prep, resume building, or executive functioning routines. We design the plan around the goal, then work it together.

  • Completely custom plans
  • Call and text accountability between sessions
  • AI tools and modern career best practices
  • Full access to AIPA Pathways and all career tools
Let's talk
Matthew Foley, founder of Growth Mind Co
Why families work with me

I've been on the hiring side of the table.

I spent years recruiting IT talent for Fortune 500 companies like IBM and AT&T, so I know exactly what employers look for. I've built products used by hundreds of thousands of people. And for the past 5 years, I've coached high school and college students 1:1, helping them build the habits and clarity that carry into every stage of life.

Executive Function Certified Coach NCDA FCD trained Fortune 500 recruiting background Founder, AIPA Pathways
More about my story
Success stories

What clients walk away with

Structure and clear goals

"Matt is such a calming and empathetic person, and meeting with him regularly has helped me structure and better understand my goals. He has an ability to simplify processes down and help break down next steps in a way that meets you where you are at."

Kaylin

A plan to move forward

"This program was thorough, informative, and combines all necessary components to figuring out the next steps to your journey. I was able to organize and rationalize my plans to move forward efficiently."

Katherine

Accountability that leads to action

"Matt's coaching is transformative. He knows how to measure progress and keep you accountable. The whole process is motivating to take action."

Adam
Common questions

What parents ask before starting

Can parents be involved in the coaching process?

Yes. Parents are encouraged to join the initial consultation, and I share progress as we go. The balance matters: you get visibility and peace of mind, while your student gets the autonomy to take ownership of their path.

Is high school too early to work on careers?

No. It is the ideal time, because career decision-making is a skill built through practice. Starting in high school gives students years of low-stakes reps before the first high-stakes decision arrives: choosing a college major or vocational path. They make that choice with direction instead of guessing.

What does coaching look like week to week?

Regular 1:1 video sessions with clear action items between them. Students build their profile in AIPA Pathways, explore matched careers, complete targeted projects, and practice modern tools including AI. Every session ends with a concrete next step.

How do I know if it's working?

You will see the artifacts. A completed career profile, a researched short list, an action plan, finished projects, and applications submitted. Progress here is visible work product, not vague feelings of motivation.

What is executive function coaching?

Executive function coaching builds the mental skills needed to plan, focus, and follow through, and it is especially valuable for students with ADHD. We create systems that work with your student's brain, not against it. I have been a certified executive function coach since 2022.

Give your student clarity and momentum

Book a free 20-minute call. We'll talk about where your student is today, where they want to go, and whether this is the right fit. No pressure either way.