August 2022

Lauren Barlow '08, M'12

DEGREES:
B.A. Communications with Minor in Marketing, Master of Education
Fulton & Seidel Schools

CURRENT EMPLOYER
Lauren Barlow Career Coaching

CURRENT OCCUPATION
Career Coach

DESCRIBE YOUR CAREER PATH
After graduating from Salisbury University with a bachelor's degree in communications and a minor in marketing, my goal was to move to Hollywood, CA, and become a film editor. I started working as a freelance editor for a handful of small production companies in the Philadelphia area and quickly noticed I was not enjoying my job. Frankly, I hated it. A networking conversation with a film editor living in Hollywood led me to confirm that filmmaking was not for me. After self-reflecting, running many introspective miles, and talking to mentors I decided to return to Salisbury University to get my master's in education with a concentration in higher education. Graduate school provided me with experience working in athletics, academic success and disability support, but none of these areas compared to my love of working in career services. I had finally found my home. I began to realize that I was skilled in helping people in many ways (and none of them involved making movies). My experience as a graduate student allowed me to see I could have a profound impact on this world by coaching job seekers to design and find meaningful careers. After graduation, I worked in higher education for 10 years before going out on my own to work as a career coach in private practice. I started my private practice, Lauren Barlow Career Coaching, as a side hustle in 2018, and I began working 100% for myself in 2022. I specialize in working with motivated new to mid-career professionals who are looking for their next step. I teach job seekers and career explorers how to take the that step by providing self-reflective, goal-focused and action-oriented coaching services. My education coupled with the experience I’ve gained from my professional journey have provided me with the ability to empathize with and appropriately guide my clients when they are feeling lost. I feel very lucky to be able to dedicate my work to helping others find happiness at work.

MOST IMPORTANT THING YOU LEARNED WHILE ATTENDING SALISBURY UNIVERSITY
This is a really hard question to answer. In total, I spent six years of my life at SU, so the lessons I learned from this university are basically endless. But if I had to pick one thing I learned during my time at SU, that "thing" would be confidence. I was very lucky as an undergraduate and graduate student to have a support system of professionals on campus who cared very much about me as a student, athlete and as a person. They listened to my dreams and goals and provided me with insight, opportunities, advice and tough love to help me get where I wanted to be. I had undergraduate professors like Dr. Moeder, Dr. Egan, Dr. Heller and Dr. Sharma; coaches like Jim Jones; supervisors like Heather Holmes and Becky Emery; and co-workers/mentors like Susie West, Charlie Endicott, Gloria Horner and Crystal Dickerson – all who helped me go from "no clue" to "I got this" in areas like filmmaking, athletic coaching, public speaking, academic support, writing and career coaching. These amazing people provided me with opportunities that would challenge me and help me grow. They provided support when I needed it and a push to stretch beyond my comfort zone. I have them to thank for teaching me how to be confident in myself.

WHAT CAMPUS ACTIVITIES/ORGANIZATIONS WERE YOU INVOLVED WITH?
I was involved with the cross country team, the track & field team, Lambda Phi Eta, and the Student Athlete Advisory Committee.

BEST COLLEGE MEMORY
Each year, the track team would travel south to Emory University or Wake Forest University for a meet over spring break. The bus ride, the meet itself and spending so much time with my teammates were among my best memories from college.

WHY DID YOU CHOOSE SALISBURY UNIVERSITY?
I chose Salisbury because I was initially interested in majoring in athletic training, and Salisbury had a wonderful program. I eventually decided to major in communications, but my initial interest in athletic training helped me narrow my list of target schools. While exploring SU's athletics website, I filled out a form and indicated that I was interested in running track and cross country. Coach Jones called my house on the first Monday of every month during my senior year of high school to see how my season was going and to tell me about Salisbury. After visiting SU on a recruiting trip, I felt so at home on campus and with the team that I decided I wanted to spend the next four years at SU.

IF YOU COULD DESCRIBE SALISBURY UNIVERSITY IN THREE WORDS, WHAT WOULD THEY BE AND WHY?
Family. Support. Opportunity. My answers for the questions above explain why I selected these three words, but I'll add a little more here. From the moment I visited campus during my recruiting trip, I felt like I belonged. That feeling was only heightened during my freshman year. My living situation in Nanticoke Hall was basically perfect. I was on a floor surrounded by completely amazing and fun women who really helped me come out of my shell. My teammates provided a family-like atmosphere that made me not want to go home on breaks. And in the classroom, I felt at home for the first time in my life. The faculty (especially the communications faculty) made me feel like my opinions were heard and welcome. With the foundation of family, I felt supported to take advantage of the many opportunities a small school provides. I was given the opportunity to present at an academic conference as an undergraduate. I studied abroad in India as a grad student and gained experience working in many different areas of higher education that more than prepared me to begin my career.

FAVORITE VACATION SPOT AND WHY?
The coolest place I have visited on vacation is Arches National Park in Moab, UT. My favorite vacation spot (that is also easily accessible) is the Outer Banks.

GREATEST ACCOMPLISHMENT
I'm proud to say I've completed seven marathons so far in my life. That is my greatest personal accomplishment. My greatest professional accomplishment has been starting my own business. Lauren Barlow Career Coaching allows me to help job seekers take the next step and find happiness at work. I can't think of a better way to spend my time.

WHAT IS SOMETHING PEOPLE DON'T KNOW ABOUT YOU?
I went to Vietnam on my honeymoon.

HOBBIES/OTHER INTERESTS
Running, hiking, traveling and home improvement projects.