Betty McWillie Claim

Betty McWillie is one of only 210 master career counselors in the country. The owner of McWillie Career Directions in Memphis, McWillie says that specialized counseling careers such as hers are rare because of the advanced education and training required. McWillie entered the field after several years in corporate public relations positions. She felt stressed and didn’t enjoy her work, so she went back to college and received her master’s degree in counseling. Regardless of age, McWillie says that she helps clients target their particular skills, work experience, education, values, accomplishments and lifestyle preferences through self-assessment tests. She also helps them design resumes, perfect interview skills or look at job descriptions to match their strengths with concrete descriptions in interview settings. Other clients might also need her assistance to manage changes in job cultures. One of her clients worked in a technical position for a company that was downsizing. McWillie matched the client’s self-assessment results with occupational interests and found that a corporate training position would be a positive match for her. Her client felt empowered to reapply for a position in that department and was rehired with the company. McWillie finds these success stories are the real rewards of her job. “I like to see people really tap into themselves and find their special talents and gifts.Her greatest challenge is listening to clients and helping them identify their particular career needs. “Listening is the key to everything.”