PATRICIA EZECHIE 
Coaching & Consultancy

"I pursued coaching because I felt as that I was at a crossroads in life. I recently completed a PhD and, after a challenging year pursuing work in the sector without much success, I began to wonder if academia was the right place for me. Then I had an unfortunate experience at my place of work that I believed to be related to my race and gender, so I decided to resign and take some time to consider my options. I felt that working with a coach would help me to think through my next steps and develop a plan to be 'an academic' on my terms. 

 I wanted to work with a woman of color, specifically a black woman of African descent, who would be able to understand and relate to my lived experiences. But ultimately, I chose to work with you because of  the way you described how you work with clients -- on career life coaching, resilience, and well-being --really resonated with me. I wanted a holistic approach and that's exactly what I got! 

Working with you has been one of the most transformative experiences of my life. In addition to helping me to develop a plan of action to pursue my research and creative practice independent of an academic institution, you also helped me to reframe my decision to leave academy, not as a failure, but as a choice I've made for myself. You also helped me to explore how my culture, family history, and personal life informs my professional / career choices. I was able to take stock of my accomplishments. I came away with a new sense of pride in my ideas and my work. You also inspired me to develop a website, so I can share my work publicly and perhaps gain future opportunities. 

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Using the exercises I was able to visualize a different life for myself. You helped me to see how I could apply my academic knowledge to work in a more creative way. I've now applied for and have been offered a curatorial role that will enable me to  develop a variety of learning-related programs in collaboration with artist, activists, and other organizations. I'm also working on developing my own creative practice. I've since taken a photography course and am using the medium in my research, writing, and performances. 

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You are a kind, inspiring, and empowering woman who helped me to navigate an incredibly challenging period in my life. It was difficult work, but I'm forever grateful. And I've already recommended you to a friend and a friend of a friend! "

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