ELYSE PIPITONE, CAREER COACH

Change is a natural part of life, and like many others, my career path has been full of changes. 

A lover of words, I graduated from Northeastern University with a degree in journalism. I started my work path as a writer and editor, working first for a small public relations agency, then for a public television distribution service, and later as a proofreader for a Boston law firm. 

When my desire to help others grew beyond the work I could do as a volunteer, I transitioned to the non-profit sector, taking on fundraising roles in social service agencies including Big Sister Association of Greater Boston.  

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An interest in higher education – an environment brimming with opportunities for professional development and learning  – led me to a public relations job at Simmons College (now Simmons University). This turned out to be the most important decision in my career. In addition to gaining new skills, I was able to take advantage of the school’s tuition benefits and acquired my Master of Social Work degree. 

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After graduation, I returned to social services, this time working with families at risk of homelessness. As a career counselor, I helped low-income individuals find employment and education opportunities, using the strong listening and relationship-building skills from my social work education, as well as the writing, editing, and communication skills developed years before.

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Today, I use all of these work experiences, abilities, and talents to help job seekers navigate through their own career journey so that they can bloom and discover their true calling.

I am a proud member of the National Association of Social Workers, where I serve as a career services volunteer to Massachusetts chapter members seeking support and write a career services column for its quarterly magazine, Social Work Voice. I'm also active in the Career Counselors’ Consortium Northeast and Career Thought Leaders, and serve as a co-associate editor for National Career Development Association's "Career Convergence" web magazine. Most recently, I joined a collaboration of career professionals, the Career Experts Group, which publishes a monthly newsletter.

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