Individualized 1:1 coaching for college students that helps them develop the self-awareness, confidence and self-trust to navigate decisions, relationships, challenges and opportunities—and learn to lead themselves through what comes next.
College is about more than earning a degree.
It's about who you're becoming along the way.
beyond the degree
YOU’VE PROBABLY HEARD SOME VERSION OF THIS.
“Mom, I don’t know what to do.”
Sometimes it’s about a roommate. A friendship. A disappointing grade. Feeling like they don’t fit in. A relationship. Their major. Or simply feeling overwhelmed by everything that’s new.
And sometimes nothing is necessarily wrong. They’re doing well. But you can see that college is asking more of them—more independence, more decisions, more responsibility, and more trust in themselves to figure things out along the way.
Setbacks & Uncertainty
A disappointing grade, a changing friendship, feeling overwhelmed, questioning a decision–or simply not knowing what comes next.
Relationships & Independence
Navigating roommates, friendships and family while learning to communicate, set boundaries, ask for help and advocate for themselves
Decisions & Direction
Making choices, managing priorities, speaking up, changing direction and figuring out what matters to them.
College asks students to navigate more than academics.
That's where coaching comes in.
The goal isn't to give students all the answers.
It's to help them develop the confidence and self-trust to find their own.
Beyond the Degree is individualized 1:1 coaching that gives college students space to talk through what they're experiencing, gain perspective and develop the awareness, confidence and self-trust to navigate college and adulthood.
Coaching meets each student where they are. The conversation might be about a decision, relationship, confidence, motivation, boundaries, uncertainty or what they want next. The goal isn't to tell them what to do—it's to help them learn to lead themselves.
Beyond the Degree
Donna McKonly
Mindset & Leadership coach
Coaching that meets students where they are.
The college experience changes from year to year—and every student experiences it differently. Beyond the Degree provides individualized coaching that meets students where they are, while helping them develop the confidence, self-trust and awareness to navigate what’s in front of them.
Years 1-2
Years 3-4
Finding Your Footing
Preparing for What's Next
Early college can bring new independence, relationships, decisions, expectations and uncertainty. Coaching gives students space to explore what they’re experiencing, gain perspective and develop greater confidence and self-trust as they find their footing.
As college progresses, questions about direction, relationships, leadership, career and what comes next may become more present. Coaching gives students space to explore what matters to them, make decisions with greater confidence and prepare to navigate their next transition.
Every student’s college experience is different. Coaching is individualized around what they’re navigating, what they want to work through and the goals they want to move toward.
The Beyond the Degree Experience
8 Private Coaching Sessions
Eight 60-minute, individualized coaching sessions over four months, typically meeting twice each month via Zoom or phone.
Support Between Sessions
Text and email support between coaching sessions gives students a place to reflect, ask questions and work through what comes up along the way.
A Relationship That Can Continue
Parent Connection
A student + parent kickoff establishes expectations, communication and confidentiality from the beginning, followed by a monthly parent newsletter with insights and resources for supporting your student.
College keeps changing—and coaching can continue with it. Students can continue Beyond the Degree in future semesters, allowing the coaching relationship to evolve alongside the decisions, challenges and opportunities they encounter.
Optional Add-On – Parent Coaching
College is a transition for parents, too. Three private coaching sessions provide space to navigate your own experience, explore how you want to support your student, and adjust to the changing parent-child relationship–while allowing their coaching relationship to remain their own.
Beyond the Degree isn't only for students who are struggling.
Some students seek coaching because something feels hard. Others are doing well and want a space to think, grow, make intentional decisions and develop skills that will serve them long after college.
This may be a good fit for your student if...
✓ They’re adjusting to greater independence and responsibility.
✓ They’re navigating friendships, roommates, relationships or family dynamics.
✓ They second-guess decisions or struggle to trust themselves.
✓ They’re questioning their major, direction or what they want next.
✓ A setback, disappointment or change has affected their confidence.
✓ They feel overwhelmed trying to manage everything on their plate.
✓ They’re doing well—and want to become more intentional, self-aware and confident in how they navigate what comes next.
Experience with students. A coaching approach built for who they're becoming.
For more than 20 years, I’ve worked alongside students as they navigated decisions, challenges, relationships, uncertainty and the process of figuring out who they are becoming. My background as a school counselor, combined with my training as a mindset and leadership coach, gives me a unique perspective on this stage of life—one that recognizes both the support students may need and the independence they’re learning to develop.
Beyond the Degree brings those experiences together: a space where students are supported, challenged and encouraged to better understand themselves, trust their own voice and learn to lead themselves through college—and beyond.
20+ years working with students • former school counselor • certified professional coach
Questions you may be wondering about.
Does my student have to be struggling to benefit from coaching?
What if I'm interested, but I'm not sure my student will be?
Not at all. Some students begin coaching because they're navigating a challenge or transition. Others are doing well and want to become more intentional, self-aware and confident in how they make decisions, handle relationships and navigate what's ahead.
Coaching works best when the student is willing to participate. You may be the one who discovers Beyond the Degree, but your student should have a voice in deciding whether coaching feels right for them. We can talk about this during your consultation and determine the best next step.
What will I know about my student's coaching?
How is coaching different from therapy?
Trust and confidentiality are important parts of the coaching relationship. The student + parent kickoff establishes expectations and communication from the beginning. While the content of individual coaching sessions remains private, parents receive a monthly newsletter with insights and resources for supporting their student.
Coaching and therapy can both be valuable forms of support, but they serve different purposes. Beyond the Degree is a coaching program focused on self-awareness, decision-making, confidence, relationships, goals and personal growth. It is not therapy or mental health treatment.
If a student's needs fall outside the scope of coaching, we'll talk about whether another type of support may be more appropriate.
Can my student continue Beyond the degree?
Yes. College continues to bring new decisions, relationships, opportunities and transitions. Students who find coaching valuable can continue Beyond the Degree in future semesters, allowing the coaching relationship to evolve alongside what they're navigating.
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