Career Coaching

**Tired of surface-level conversations?** Join us for *Ditch the Small Talk*—an evening of deep, real connection with strangers who are down to go there. We’ll meet in the grass in front of the cathedral, break into small groups, and draw questions from a deck of cards designed to spark vulnerable, honest conversations. How it works: Draw a card and ask a question. Listen. Don't coach or give advice without permission. Try to ask follow-up questions when people share. You can spend 1 minute on a question or 1 hour, just go with the flow. **If you show up late, please don't interrupt the speaker. Just sit down in a group of your choice and they'll bring you up to speed when whoever is talking finishes. Bring a blanket or chair if you don't want to sit in the grass. *** Rules*** 1. Don't debate politics 2. Keep what is shared in the group within the group 3. If you need to use your phone, step away from your group first

Please join Robert Brandau, our Founding Director, for coffee, conversation, job search assistance and just the ability to get out of the house and be with others as we look for **QUALITY** Employment. Bring your laptop, (if you need a new one, please let [Career-Confidence.org](http://career-confidence.org/) know.) there will be plenty of time for us to work seperately. Occassionally we have "on the spot" interviews with others at Fairfax Coffee. Often times some of us will go out to lunch or a simple dinner afterwards.

This group was originally started by Chad Keith who created and hosts a podcast by the same name in Charlotte, NC. I am hoping to continue his legacy here in NoVa as I recently moved to this area. This group is all about finding community around self-improvement and exchanging ideas on how to be your best self and get the most out of life. This group is for anyone who is interested in overcoming average in all areas - career, ambitions, relationships, hobbies, health, everything. I am so excited to meet driven individuals in the NoVa area so please reach out if you have any questions at all. EVERYONE is welcome so please sign up for an upcoming meetup!

DUPONT SPEAKS is a culturally and professionally diverse lunchtime club in the heart of Washington, DC. We meet from noon–1 p.m. on the 2nd and 4th Wednesdays of every month, as well as the occasional 5th Wednesday. Our guiding principle is that we all have fun as we travel the road to better public speaking. That's why all of our meetings are filled with laughter and applause, as well as thoughtful speeches, evaluations and support. We hope to see — and hear — you soon! To learn more, visit http://bit.ly/dupontspeaks . http://photos3.meetupstatic.com/photos/event/7/f/4/6/600_457832582.jpeg

DMVCR Perrywood Paceline w/ Coach Buffy 501 Watkins Park Drive, Largo, MD 20774 Meetup 5:30pm; Ride off 6:00pm SHARP Route = https://ridewithgps.com/routes/54566338 The loop is approximately 7 miles; the goal is to complete 3 loops before sundown. As daylight is extended, we could try to get a 4th loop in. A Group average moving speed = 20+ mph B Group average moving speed = 17-19 mph C Group average moving speed = 14-16 mph D Group average moving speed = < 13 mph Ride marshals maybe assigned to groups on ride day. This is a self-supported ride. No SAG. No Sweepers. Group Ride Guidelines: 1\. Safety first is the primary tenet of DMVCR\! 2\. Bicyclists who participate on DMVCR club rides are required to wear a properly fastened helmet\. 3\. Bicyclists may not ride more than two \(2\) abreast and may not impede traffic\. 4\. Bicyclists must come to a complete stop at all stop signs and traffic lights displaying a red signal\. 5\. Bicyclists are expected to have their bikes in proper working order\. 6\. Bicyclists are expected to ride with repair equipment in the event for flat tire\, etc\. 7\. Bicyclists should bring adequate nutrition to include enough hydration and snacks\. 8\. At night\, bicycles must be equipped with a front white light and a rear red reflector or red light visible\, both visible from 600 feet away\. Disclaimer: \*\*\*Please note DMVCR is not responsible for any accidents, injuries and/or damages or any combination thereof, which may occur to you and/or your bike. If you decide to participate on the ride, it means that you have read, understood and agreed that you are riding at your own risk and you waive all claims against all other riders who participate or organize the group ride.\*\*\*

# 🤖 **Build With Me #2:** Build Your Personal AI Machine, Live 🗓 Wednesday \| 6–8 PM 📍 Venue: AWS Skills Center You’ve seen it in action… Now you want one for yourself! In this session, we’ll set up your own AI system capable of building and developing anything you can think up. *** ## ⚡ What You’ll See * Setting up your own AI system in real time to think, build, and operate any product or business * Connecting AWS, ChatGPT, OpenClaw, and Telegram into one working system * Using your phone or computer to develop ideas, research questions, discuss specs, and ship real products *** ## 🧠 What You’ll Learn * We’ll create your own personal AI assistant live together * How AI can help you keep building websites, app ideas, business tools, and other projects from anywhere *** ## 🧰 Tools We’ll Explore * OpenClaw * AWS * ChatGPT * Telegram *** ## 🎯 Who This Is For * Beginners to advanced who want a practical AI setup they can use right away for any idea * People with business ideas, app ideas, or side projects they want help moving forward * Anyone who attended Session 1 *** # What to Bring * Your laptop so we can set up the tools. \*You do not need to know AWS or the other tools before coming. \*Anyone can join even if you missed session 1. One setup. The most powerful digital machine ever known, in your pocket..

Join us for our May happy hour! For those that don't drink, the bar has mocktails and sodas. **Getting there:** * Punchbowl is on the end of the building, **across from South Block** We plan to be on the first floor bar, right when you walk in. * **Metro:** PB is a block and a half away from the Ballston Metro stop * **Parking:** there is street parking and the mall also offers really cheap parking. $1 an hour for the first three hours.

**Drills · Strategy · Smart Play** Ready to sharpen your game? This clinic is designed for adult players at the 3.0–3.5 level who are serious about taking their skills to the next level. Sessions are led by Coach Yiran, a former nationally ranked junior (No. 89 in the US 16s), Division III collegiate player at Carnegie Mellon University, and current NTRP 5.0C on USTA Record. Coach Yiran's coaching philosophy is built on efficiency and intelligence — learning to move smarter, produce cleaner strokes, and think strategically on the court. At the 3.0–3.5 level, there's huge room to gain by understanding not just *how* to hit, but *when* and *why*. Expect focused drills and tactical work in every session. Price would be 45 $ per 1.5 hours session. Just bring your racket - Come ready to train!

## Stop chasing opportunities and start attracting them by mastering the art of professional branding. ## Join us as "The Brand Architect" Kristen Henry King reveals how to align your reputation, image, and message to build instant trust. In today’s competitive market, it isn't enough to just be good at what you do; you have to be **unforgettable**. Many professionals struggle to communicate their value, leading to missed connections and stagnant growth. This session is designed to bridge the gap between your expertise and your visibility, ensuring that your personal and professional brand does the heavy lifting for you. Kristen Henry King, known as “The Brand Architect,” brings twenty years of Hollywood insight and business strategy to the EMA DC stage. She will guide you through the process of clarifying who you are and what you represent, providing practical strategies to ensure your marketing and personal interactions work in harmony. You will learn how to step into your authority so that trust is established before you even speak. Whether you are an entrepreneur, a creative, or a corporate leader, this presentation offers a blueprint for consistency across all platforms. By the end of the hour, you’ll have a clear understanding of how to align your message and image so that opportunities come to you — not the other way around.

Getting tired of the ordinary 9-5 grind? Want to experience having residual income as you go about life? Be a part of a team that will support you consistently? No ceiling to your earning potential ? Or even better…..Give a valuable and much needed asset to a your community and the nation as a whole? This is the place to be. Receive premium education and training to learn the principles of building generational wealth. Get a peak at your next best opportunity. We only have one life to live so let’s experience it all to the fullest! Please reach out to me if you’re planning to attend, it is by invitation only and I will need to secure your spot! Dress code: Business Casual

Standard rally scoring to 15. Skill level should BB and up. See you out there! Only 1 court 135 Crescent Rd greenbelt Md Use St. Hughes Churches parking lot Bring a ball if you have one and water to stay hydrated.

**Positive Thinking for a Life of Purpose with Anju Gupta** Join us for an uplifting and insightful session as we guide participants through a process of self-realization by using their greatest asset, their thoughts. Discover how positive thinking can shape your mindset, strengthen your inner resilience, and help you live with greater clarity, intention, and purpose. This session will offer practical tools and reflections to help you cultivate empowering thoughts that support a more meaningful and fulfilling life. ***Anju Gupta*** *is an educator and motivational speaker who is passionate about inspiring individuals to recognize their inner strengths and unlock their highest potential.* **(In person at the Meditation Museum in Silver Spring, MD)** Sat., May 16th, 1:00 pm – 2:30 pm. Held at Meditation Museum, 9525 Georgia Ave., Silver Spring, MD 20910. Free Event – Register at: [https://shorturl.at/vfw0S](https://shorturl.at/vfw0S)

Come learn how money really works. We’ll cover how to grow it, protect it, get out of debt, and use smart retirement and infinite banking strategies to build long-term security.

✍️ Event Description Connect with like-minded women. Expand your network. Elevate your vision. Join us for a curated Women’s Professional Social hosted at Precision Lash & Brow in Bethesda—a space designed for ambitious, driven women who are building careers, businesses, and brands. This isn’t your typical networking event. It’s about real conversations, meaningful connections, and being in a room with women who are actually doing the work. ⸻ What to expect: ✨ Genuine Connections Meet other women in the DMV across industries—entrepreneurs, creatives, professionals, and builders. 💬 Meaningful Conversations Skip the surface-level small talk and connect on ideas, goals, and growth. 💄 Elevated Atmosphere Hosted inside a luxury beauty space, creating a relaxed but high-end environment to connect and unwind. ⸻ Who this is for: * Women in business & entrepreneurship * Creatives & content builders * Corporate professionals & career-driven women * Anyone looking to expand their circle with intention ⸻ What to bring: * Yourself (as you are) * Business cards or social handles (optional) * An open mindset ⸻ The vibe: Supportive. Inspiring. Intentional. No pressure, no cliques—just women coming together to connect and grow. ⸻ If you’ve been wanting to meet more aligned, driven women in your area… This is your space 💫

Hybrid registration links at https://greatcareers.org/events-calendar/career-success-group-job-seeker-accountability-networking-hybrid/ The Career Success Group is a networking meeting held on the 2nd Monday and a hybrid meeting 4th Thursday of each month from 9:30-10:30 AM ET with [Kevin Keene](https://www.linkedin.com/in/kevinekeene/). Join us if you are looking for a new opportunity, to grow your career, or if you are in a job transition. 1. Practice your elevator pitch in a safe space 2. Check-in for accountability 3. Set goals for your job search for the week 4. Meet others to build your LinkedIn network 5. Learn about upcoming events 6. Ask questions **CHAPTER LEADER** [Kevin Keene](https://www.linkedin.com/in/kevinekeene/) kekeene@comcast.net

**Saturday • May 16 • 2–5 PM • Ashburn, VA** Many people say they want to write a book someday — **this session helps you start.** Your life experiences already contain stories, lessons, and insights that could become books. The real challenge is **how to organize those experiences and actually turn them into writing.** In this interactive session, I’ll share the approach I’m using to build a **multi-book journey based on lived experience.** So far I have: 📚 **3 books published on Amazon** 📖 **1 more books releasing this year** (end of the year) 📝 **16 additional books planned** — and likely many more. This session is not about writing **just one book**. We’ll explore how your experiences can evolve into **multiple books over time**, and how to **use AI the right way to speed up your writing while keeping your voice authentic.** *** ### What We’ll Explore • Turning life experience into book ideas • How one journey can become multiple books • Simple ways to structure stories and lessons • Using **AI to organize ideas and speed up writing** • Practical strategies to actually finish a book **Everyone will leave with the outline of their first book idea.** **You don’t need writing experience — just curiosity about how your life experiences might turn into ideas worth sharing.** *** ### Event Details 💵 **$25 RSVP — includes coffee + snacks** 📍 **Ashburn, VA** (exact address shared after RSVP) 🕑 **2:00 PM – 5:00 PM** 👥 **Max 10 people** for a small, interactive conversation. Most attendees are professionals, entrepreneurs, and people navigating reinvention or new chapters in life. *** # Background — Writing & Reinvention Journey Writing has been one of the most powerful tools in my own reinvention journey. What began as reflections during a difficult life transition gradually evolved into published books and a growing body of work focused on reinvention, personal growth, and life transitions. My goal is not just to write books — but to help others realize that their experiences may also hold stories worth sharing. *** # 🔗 Midlife Reinvention Ecosystem 🌐 Website [https://midlifereinvention.co](https://midlifereinvention.co) ▶ YouTube (400K+ views) [https://www.youtube.com/@midlife_mindfulness](https://www.youtube.com/@midlife_mindfulness) 💼 LinkedIn (4K+ followers) [https://www.linkedin.com/in/anju-debnath-0061524/](https://www.linkedin.com/in/anju-debnath-0061524/) 🤝 Meetup Community (300+ Members) [https://www.meetup.com/ashburn-transition-meetup-group/](https://www.meetup.com/ashburn-transition-meetup-group/) 📚 Amazon Author Page [https://www.amazon.com/stores/Anju-Debnath/author/B0FFNBVZLQ](https://www.amazon.com/stores/Anju-Debnath/author/B0FFNBVZLQ)

I’m excited to partner with **Aurora Hills Library** to host this in-person workshop for professionals who are navigating career transitions, job loss, or considering a new direction. This energizing 45-minute workshop will help you master the four pillars of career success: mindset, resilience, strategy, and purpose. Through engaging stories and actionable tools, I will guide you in creating a clear plan to overcome obstacles, make confident decisions, and achieve your professional goals. Register here: [https://arlingtonva.libcal.com/event/16398457](https://arlingtonva.libcal.com/event/16398457) **Date:** Wednesday, May 27, 2026 **Time:** 6:00pm - 8:00pm **Location:** Eads Room **Library:** Aurora Hills Library

**Finding Yourself Without Losing Yourself (for Ages 18-25) with Akshay Kuchibhatla** ## ***Join emerging Gen Z leader Akshay Kuchibhatla for this special workshop. Move beyond expectations and make choices that feel right for you.*** In a time when everyone is trying to figure out who they are, it’s easy to get pulled in different directions, by expectations, social media, relationships, and the pressure to “have it all together.” Somewhere along the way, many begin to feel disconnected from their true self. This workshop is a space to pause, reset, and reconnect with your true self. Come explore who you are at your core, beyond labels, trends, and outside opinions. Through guided reflection, real conversations, and simple mindfulness practices, you’ll gain clarity on your values, strengthen your inner voice, and learn how to make choices that feel right for you. You don’t have to lose yourself to find yourself. You can grow, evolve, and still stay true. Come as you are. Leave more connected, clear, and confident. ***Akshay Kuchibhatla*** *is a thoughtful and emerging Gen Z leader currently pursuing a degree in Computer Science at George Mason University. Passionate about personal growth, self-awareness, and helping young people navigate life with clarity and purpose, Akshay brings a grounded and relatable perspective to conversations about identity, values, and inner strength.* Sat., May 24th, 1:00 pm – 2:30 pm. Held at Brahma Kumaris, 14020 Thunderbolt Pl, Suite 200, 2nd Floor, Chantilly, VA. Free Event – Register at: [https://shorturl.at/luks5](https://shorturl.at/luks5)

Attendance is $35 (cash, credit/debit card, or ApplePay - paid at the door), which includes water/soda/coffee, bread, choice of a plated lunch entrée, and a dessert assortment. Parking is also validated in the Reston Station garages (3 hours of validation). Join one of Northern Virginia's most successful business networking groups (part of BNI). Open to the public and is typically attended by business owners, business developers, and entrepreneurs. Meetings are typically attended by 30-40 members and guests. \*\*\*PLEASE RSVP here: [REGISTER HERE](https://square.link/u/0WvC6Eir) \*\*\*If you do not register on the BNI website, there may not be a seat available for you.

## **1 Million Cups Loudoun – Resource Presentation** **What You Really Need to Know from an HR Professional** **Presented by Donna Giarratana** **Wednesday\, May 27 \| 9:00 AM – 10:00 AM** **Venture X Loudoun** Join us for a practical and insightful resource presentation designed to help small business owners navigate one of the most critical — and often overlooked — areas of growth: **Human Resources**. *** ## **About the Session** As your business grows, so do the complexities of managing people, processes, and compliance. Many entrepreneurs wait too long to think about HR — and by the time they do, they’re already reacting instead of planning. In this session, **Donna Giarratana** will break down what small business owners *really* need to know about HR — in a way that is clear, actionable, and relevant to your stage of growth. This conversation is designed to help you move from uncertainty to confidence when it comes to building and managing your team. *** ## **What You’ll Learn** * When it’s the right time to hire * How to set your business up for success before bringing on employees * Why HR matters — even for small businesses * Common pitfalls and how to avoid them * The foundational HR knowledge every business owner should have *** ## **Who Should Attend** * Entrepreneurs preparing to hire their first employee * Small business owners currently managing a team * Founders looking to strengthen operations and compliance * Anyone who wants to build a business with a strong, scalable foundation *** ## **Why Attend?** * Gain clarity on one of the most important aspects of business growth * Learn how to avoid costly mistakes before they happen * Ask questions and get real-world insight from an HR professional * Walk away with practical knowledge you can apply immediately *** ## **About 1 Million Cups** 1 Million Cups is a national program that brings entrepreneurs and communities together to learn, connect, and grow through presentations and discussion. Loudoun’s chapter meets on the 2nd and 4th Wednesdays each month. Join us on **May 27** for coffee, connection, and a conversation that will help you build your business the right way from the inside out. We look forward to seeing you there.

We will be meeting at Starbucks to learn together. Come with an online class you're already going through or an interest and we will try to connect you with a course where you can learn it. Already have a skill you want to contribute to a Kaggle Datascience competition? We will work on these too! Laptop required :)