Dana, Executive Coach and Trainer at Studio DTO: Advize Career Interview
A career in executive coaching and training, as exemplified by Studio DTO's Dana, offers a dynamic blend of personal fulfillment and professional challenge.
Early career experiences, including internships and extracurricular activities, laid a strong foundation for success, ultimately leading to a rewarding role built on one-on-one coaching, team development, and business management.
While the path involves financial instability inherent in self-employment and the need for consistent client acquisition, the ability to help others, foster impactful behavior change, and build strong client relationships makes the work deeply satisfying.
Building a successful coaching practice requires persistence, resilience, and strong communication skills, but the potential rewards—both personally and professionally—are significant.
Undergraduate students interested in this field can gain valuable experience through related roles in HR or management before pursuing coaching directly, focusing on developing strong public speaking and leadership capabilities.
The key to success, according to Dana, is proactive engagement—seeking opportunities, asking for what one wants, and embracing the challenges of growth.
Advizer Information
Name
Job Title
Company
Undergrad
Grad Programs
Dana Old
Executive Coach and Trainer
Studio DTO
University of Pennsylvania, 2005
MBA, UCLA Anderson School of Management
Majors
Industries
Job Functions
Traits
Communications
Coaching
Human Resources (HR)
Took Out Loans, Greek Life Member
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Career Path of an Executive Coach and Trainer at Studio DTO
Dana's career path began with "a lot of unpaid internships" alongside waitressing while studying communications at the University of Pennsylvania, gaining experience at a Spanish radio station and a top advertising agency, tbwa\Chiat\Day. This early experience, combined with extracurricular activities like club volleyball and advertising sales for the school newspaper, solidified their interest in communications and advertising, setting the stage for future career success.
Main Responsibilities of an Executive Coach and Trainer at Studio DTO
As an executive coach and trainer, Dana's main responsibilities encompass "one-on-one coaching," group facilitation for "high performance" team development, and extensive business management including "networking, relationship building, and content creation." A significant portion of the role involves client interaction, with "10 to 20% of time traveling" for on-site work alongside virtual sessions.
A Day In The Life Of An Executive Coach And Trainer At Studio DTO
Dana's workday, which varies daily, begins with focused "head down time" from 5:00 to 6:30 AM before engaging in three one-on-one coaching calls. The remainder of the day blends client-facing work with business development and content creation, including a crucial hour for lunch, demonstrating a commitment to balance and mindful work practices.
Most Important Skills For An Executive Coach And Trainer At Studio DTO
Dana, an Executive Coach and Trainer, highlights patience and persistence as crucial soft skills, stating that securing clients "takes a while," requiring consistent effort to stay "top of mind." The ability to multitask and stay organized amidst "Myriad clients in different phases of development" is also essential for success, as a single negative experience could harm the business.
Favorite Parts of Being an Executive Coach and Trainer at Studio DTO
Dana, an Executive Coach and Trainer, finds the most rewarding aspect of her career is "helping others" in an authentic way, cherishing the trust clients place in her abilities and the "thrilling feeling" of securing new engagements. The ability to be oneself, incorporating humor and playfulness into coaching sessions, is equally fulfilling.
Biggest Challenges Faced by an Executive Coach and Trainer at Studio DTO
Dana, an executive coach and trainer, cites the financial instability of self-employment—"I don't get a paycheck every two weeks"—as a major challenge, alongside concerns about the discretionary nature of coaching services in uncertain economic times and the difficulty of scaling their business while maintaining high quality. The need to "replicate myself" without compromising "quality" is a key ambition and source of ongoing concern for the career professional.
Favorite Parts of Working in the Coaching and Training Industry as an Executive Coach and Trainer
Dana, an Executive Coach and Trainer at Studio DTO, finds the most rewarding aspect of the coaching and training industry to be "the ability to help people," fostering confidence, improved communication, and effective teamwork. This "unlock[ing]...behavior change" and witnessing the positive impact on individuals and teams is what makes the work fulfilling.
What Type Of Person Thrives In The Coaching Industry, According To An Executive Coach And Trainer At Studio DTO
Success in executive coaching and training demands "persistence and resilience," a capacity to connect authentically with clients as "their ally" and "sounding board," and a strong presence to skillfully guide group discussions. The ability to build rapport and confidently navigate conversations are key attributes for thriving in this field.
What an Executive Coach and Trainer at Studio DTO Wishes They Had Known Before Entering the Coaching Industry
Dana, an executive coach and trainer, learned that building a small business takes "time," a longer ramp-up than initially anticipated for client acquisition and revenue generation. The interview also revealed a valuable insight: clients value not only coaching skills but also the corporate experience Dana brings to the table.
Entry-level Positions For Aspiring Executive Coaches And Trainers
For undergraduate students interested in executive coaching and training, gaining "real life experience" is crucial before directly pursuing coaching roles; however, early career exploration through coaching or group facilitation—roles often found in HR or management—provides valuable experience in leading meetings and presentations, developing public speaking skills, which Dana highlights as essential, noting "you can't be nervous" in front of large groups.
Significant Career Lesson From An Executive Coach And Trainer At Studio DTO
Dana, an executive coach and trainer, identifies "ask for what you want and be prepared to get it" as a significant career lesson, citing examples like pursuing business school, seeking internships, requesting raises, and actively acquiring clients for their own business. This proactive approach, even leading to a current "amazing problem to have" of juggling multiple responsibilities, contrasts with remaining in a less fulfilling corporate role.
College Experiences That Helped an Executive Coach and Trainer at Studio DTO Succeed
Dana's college experience involved significant extracurricular involvement, including roles on the college newspaper, club volleyball captaincy, and sorority membership, which fostered proactive engagement and a willingness to "put myself out there." This approach, built confidence, strengthened interpersonal skills, and created opportunities leading to career success.
Advizer Personal Links
www.linkedin.com/in/ dana-taylor-old