Support for women rethinking work and what comes next
Explore career break and sabbatical coaching that makes space for rest, clarity and forward movement that feels sustainable.
Sometimes the question isn’t “What should I do next?”
Often, the real question is whether the way you’ve been working still fits the life you want to live.
Many Black women reach a point where the pace, pressure, and expectations of their work no longer feel manageable. A career break or sabbatical can offer time to rest, reflect, and begin imagining what might come next.
If you’re considering a pause, this space is designed to support that process.
Whether you’re interested in stepping away from work for a period of rest, exploring a professional pivot, or thinking about a new chapter abroad, you’re in the right place.
How I support women in this season
Through career break and sabbatical coaching, I support women who are rethinking how work fits into their lives and considering what might come next.
Many of the women I work with are navigating concerns like:
Struggling to slow down enough to see where they feel stuck or overwhelmed.
Noticing how fear, pressure, or expectations are shaping their decisions.
Wondering whether the career path they’ve been on still fits.
Feeling pulled in different directions and unsure which voice to trust.
Letting go of perfectionism and the pressure to have everything figured out.
Learning to take small steps forward even when the full picture isn’t clear.
Coaching provides structure while you think through these transitions. Together, we explore themes like mindset, values, strengths, and the kind of life you want your work to support.
This process isn’t about rushing into the next decision. It’s about understanding what matters to you now and moving forward in a way that feels steady.
Get to know
Shawna Michelle
I’m Shawna Michelle, a career coach who works with Black women navigating burnout, career breaks, and moments of professional transition. I support women who are taking career breaks, considering sabbaticals, or rethinking what they want work — and life — to look like moving forward.
Before moving into coaching, I spent years working in Human Resources, with much of my work centered on employee onboarding and helping people navigate new beginnings at work. Over time, I became especially interested in the moments when colleagues started quietly asking themselves whether the path they were on still fit.
Coaching grew naturally out of that interest. It creates space for thoughtful conversation during seasons when work, identity, and direction are all shifting.
In 2025, I stepped away from my Human Resources role to prioritize family, rest, international living, and the next chapter of my coaching practice.
If you’d like to learn more about my story, you can read more here.
Coaching may be right for you if:
• You’re feeling burned out and need time to step back and reassess.
• You’re considering a career break or sabbatical but aren’t sure how to approach it.
• You’ve already taken a pause from work and are beginning to think about what comes next.
• The career path that once made sense no longer feels sustainable.
• You want thoughtful support as you navigate a season of transition.
Career transitions don’t always come with clear answers. Coaching offers a place to think through things and move forward with confidence.