Candice N. McGowan
CPCC, CEMP

Career & Relocation Coach

Are you an alum from the Cognitive Systems (COGS) Program at the University of British Columbia (UBC) who feels lost at sea? Let me help you get your bearings back.

Are you a post-secondary academic advisor who feels overworked, undervalued, and are soooo done? I can help you examine other career options.

Are you burned out of working in corporate and are considering moving to Japan to pursue 'Stardew Valley IRL'? I can help you navigate a monumental transition.

About Me

  • I am a proud alum of the Cognitive Systems Program (COGS) at the University of British Columbia. I loved the COGS program so much that I came back to academia to run the program 8 years after graduation. Career coaching was the best part of my academic advising job, so I thought the best thing for me to do was to focus on career coaching and to become a resource for program alums.

  • As an academic advisor and program administrator, I witnessed pain amongst my colleagues in various departments. While I was working in university, I established a community of practice, i.e. a support network of undergraduate program advisors. I thought of ways I can help the advising community after leaving academia, and I landed on the idea of career coaching for advisors.

  • I received training and earned a Certified Professional Career Coach (CPCC) credential and a Certified Empowerment and Motivational Professional (CEMP) credential from the Professional Association of Résumé Writers and Career Coaches.

  • I flew from Tokyo to Vancouver as a student. After living in Vancouver for 15 years, I moved back to Japan (but to Nagano prefecture this time) with my husband to start anew. We are currently figuring life out and are enjoying the process. Believe it or not - I call myself allergic to uncertainty, but I have learned how to take at least some of the terror out of it. I can show you how!

For UBC COGS alums who feel...

INADEQUATE: After graduating with what seems like an esoteric degree, you aren't sure how to translate your experience in academia to skills useful to a prospective employer.LOST: You don't know what YOU want to do. You took career assessments before, but nothing seemed to resonate with you.DISSATISFIED: You know that staying in your current position will eventually damage your health. But the idea of change and uncertainty petrifies you.You are NOT alone, and you are NOT flawed. I will help you make that first step more manageable and less daunting.Through our coaching sessions, we can address the following topics (and more!):
+ Your priorities and values
+ Your skills and interests
+ Your confidence and self-esteem
+ Your short-term (mid-term) and long-term goalsBut before committing to coaching sessions, feel free to book a 30-minute complimentary call!

For post-secondary academic advisors who feel...

OVERWORKED: Every week, you learn about responsibilities you didn't know were yours. You dread weekends and vacations because your backlog will keep growing.HURT: by the very people you serve. You feel slightly less alive after every advising appointment.INFURIATED: by the institution that asks you to "self-care" your way out of a never-ending crushing workload.Your rage is VALID, and you are NOT selfish for thinking you deserve better. I can help you process your frustrations, explore new possibilities, and develop a personalized strategy for a fulfilling career transition.Through our coaching sessions, we can address the following topics (and more!):
+ Acknowledging and respecting your rage
+ Are there any solutions other than exiting?
+ What kind of change makes most sense for you and why?
+ The pragmatics: what do you need to have lined up to make the leap?
+ Ways to navigate uncertainty Planning (but not overdoing it)But before committing to coaching sessions, feel free to book a 30-minute complimentary call!

For individuals who wish to relocate to Japan who feel...

SELF-DOUBT: You are tired of working in corporate, and you are itching to make the 'Stardew Valley' experience a reality... but what if that's the wrong decision?OVERWHELMED: So many things to plan for! The budget, the visa application, jobs, housing, moving logistics, saying goodbye, and establishing yourself in a new community.CONSCIENTIOUS: You're not the kind of person who will happily leave everything to an agent. You are keen on learning how things work in Japan, and are willing to integrate into the Japanese community.You're at a PRECIPICE here! I can help you break down the big, daunting things into smaller, manageable pieces. I can also walk you through what you need to have in place before and after your move, and tips for making a smooth (as humanly possible) transition.Through our coaching sessions, we can address the following topics (and more!):
+ Your lifestyle criteria
+ Your budget and runway
+ Your visa and COE (Certificate of Eligibility) application
+ Your career plans
+ Housing options
+ Moving logistics
+ Goodbyes
+ Japanese language learning
+ Japanese culture and manners
+ Paperwork required to settle inBut before committing to coaching sessions, feel free to book a 30-minute complimentary call!