"Tell me, what is it you plan to do with your one wild and precious life?" - Mary Oliver, "The Summer Day"
"Tell me, what is it you plan to do with your one wild and precious life?" - Mary Oliver, "The Summer Day"
"Tell me, what is it you plan to do with your one wild and precious life?
- Mary Oliver
I help strivers find their joy
Heather Joy Swenddal, PhD
Founder, StriveJoy Coaching
Hello! I'm Heather, a management professor at the University of Illinois and a professional success coach.
​
As a professor, I work with students on the cusp of great careers, helping them craft their purpose and prepare for the world of work. As a coach, I bring this focus to professionals, helping them navigate career challenges, unlock their potential, and ascend with power, purpose, and joy!
​​
Life is too short to stay in the wrong job. Too short to sleep on great opportunities. If you're a striver ready to move forward in your career, I'm ready to help!
Strive for joy and with joy
I help people strive for joy, pursuing what this means for them. I also help them strive with joy. Life's not just about the destination: The journey matters, too! As your coach, I'll help you find meaning and satisfaction on the path to great achievement. Working together, we'll...
-
Identify the work that brings you joy -- and the work that definitely does not!
-
Navigate workplace challenges and conflicts in ways that prioritize your joy.
-
Develop a clear vision of your purpose -- or purposes -- in life.
-
Dream big about the career you want, and develop a plan for achieving it!
"Tell me, what is it you plan to do with your one wild and precious life?" - Mary Oliver, "The Summer Day"
"Tell me, what is it you plan to do with your one wild and precious life?" - Mary Oliver, "The Summer Day"
"It's never to late to be what you might have been."
- George Eliot
Free coaching for former students through December 2025!
Coaching is a new venture for me, and I need coaching practice to earn my credential from the International Coaching Federation. Through the end of December 2025, I'm offering a free three-session series just for my former students! Here's what these one-on-one sessions entail:​
-
SESSION ONE: Career Check-In. We'll say hello and discuss your career and how it's going so far. I'll tell you about Sessions 2 and 3, and you can decide if you want to continue. (No worries if not!)
-
SESSION TWO: Ideal Work Day. I'll guide you in envisioning your perfect day at work to help you understand what brings you joy and what changes you can make to achieve it.
-
SESSION THREE: Map Your Future. Building on your insights so far, you'll identify a vision for your future and set some long- and short-term goals to move in this direction!
Interested? Book your first free session with me below, and we'll discuss the details then!
Book a session
Please schedule a time using the app below (scroll down for more). A meeting link will automatically be generated.
If you are a new client, I will email you before our session with some guidance to help you prepare!
Paid options -- 2026 and beyond
Beginning in January 2026, I will begin accepting paid coaching clients. Options include:
Single Session
$150
Book a single appointment for quick help with a particular challenge. First one's free!
Five-Session Package
$500
Secure a package rate and schedule sessions as needed (complete within a year).
Ongoing Support
$100/week
Become an ongoing client to receive weekly coaching sessions and text support!
"Tell me, what is it you plan to do with your one wild and precious life?" - Mary Oliver, "The Summer Day"
"Tell me, what is it you plan to do with your one wild and precious life?" - Mary Oliver, "The Summer Day"