Sarah Atkinson decided to pursue her dream career with her late mother’s words of encouragement ringing in her ears. After studying the Graduate Certificate of Coaching with ACAP she’s living her dream, running a thriving business from her home in regional NSW while raising three girls.
When Sarah Atkinsons’ mother died, she was preparing to welcome her own first child.
“I was three months pregnant with my first child, Penny, and losing mum gave me a new sense of urgency to pursue my dreams,” Sarah said.
Sarah’s mother was a true trailblazer.
“She was a nurse and had an amazing career,” she said.
“She was one of the first nurses (in her time) to get married and still work and complete her nursing training. She could have been a doctor and nearly sat the exam to go on that journey, but with four children at the time she just couldn’t do it all. So there was some unrecognised potential in her, I think.”
Sarah said while navigating her pregnancy and first months with her baby, she couldn’t forget her mother’s advice to pursue her full potential and share it with the world.
“I'd left school in year 10 to pursue a career as a hairdresser, and while I enjoyed my work, I knew there was more I could be doing, After mum died, I found the motivation to finally pursue my dream of higher education, and in some way honour her legacy of persistence and tenacity.”
So, living in a small rural town in NSW at the age of 27 with a 10-month-old baby in tow, Sarah enrolled at an online university.
After completing a psychology qualification, she felt unsure about her future in the field and, after reading the course guide, she enrolled in the Graduate Certificate of Applied Coaching with ACAP University College.
“I wanted something practical that I could turn into a career while still living in my hometown of Cooma in country NSW and raising my family, and that’s where ACAP rose to the top,” she said.
“When I read the ACAP units I could see how each one would help me, the course was evidence-based and an accredited qualification which was key. I was able to study completely online, giving me the flexibility to balance my other commitments.”
Living and working in country NSW was always important to Sarah, and after completing the certificate she now runs her own business from home, Inner Clarity Coaching.
“I work with service-based businesses to reduce their overwhelm and overcome their mindset to build thriving businesses,” she said.
“It’s great because I can fit that in around my busy family life in Cooma and I have clients all over the country.”
She said ACAP had been a major factor in her current success.
“ACAP was excellent, despite it being online you are coaching straight away and putting theory into practice,” she said.
“It was so interactive, and I didn’t feel like I lost any connection because I was studying remotely, in fact I made great friendships and networks along the way.”
She feels like she is honouring her mother’s legacy with her business, following in her footsteps of being a remarkable parent and forging an impressive career.
“If I didn’t do the graduate certificate with ACAP I wouldn’t have the practical skills and confidence to truly make a positive impact in the coaching industry,” she said.
“With ACAP I was able to get to a place that I think my mum would be really proud of.”
Interested in studying coaching at ACAP University College? Find out more here: Get equipped for coaching – ACAP