Bachelor of Science, International Business and Human Resource Management (UNC Greensboro)
Master of Business Administration (UNC Greensboro)
Better Conversations and Coaching (Center for Creative Leadership)
External Facilitator for Emerging Leaders (Truist Leadership Institute)
Reserve Sergeant in the Finnish Defence Forces
Taught and Coached 1,500+ University Students
Fluent in English and Finnish
This is my story
Hello! I’m Lasse Palomaki, a Career Coach here at Ama La Vida. I appreciate you taking a moment to learn a bit about me and how I can support you in your career journey.
Originally from Finland, I grew up in a household of two educators, where I gained a deep sense of appreciation for learning early on in life. That appreciation rapidly grew into a passion that has led me to plan, deliver, and assess coaching and training programs in non-profit, military, and higher education settings. From experienced professionals to soldiers to students, I’ve worked with 1,500+ individuals to accelerate their development through capability building programs in one-on-one and group settings.
I have a career that I truly love – but I found it by accident.
When I was in college, my sights were set on becoming a consultant. And I was ‘this’ close to becoming one until my internship offer in the field was withdrawn. As a last-minute alternative, I managed to secure an HR role at a global leadership development organization. My internship changed everything for me – I went from being an aspiring consultant to an aspiring people development professional. A path that I am still on.
Now, while Lady Fortuna can lead us to our dream careers, you don’t want to leave it to luck. Instead, you want to be purposeful about building a career that aligns with your interests and unique talents.
And that’s where I can help you.
Are you someone who:
- Is looking to make your next career move, but unsure which opportunity aligns with your interests and skills?
- Has identified your target career but are unsure how to attain it or lack the confidence to pursue it?
- Is stepping into a new internship or full-time role, leading you to face impostor syndrome and unsure how to hit the ground running?
If any of these fit your situation – I can help!
I am most passionate about supporting college students, recent graduates, and young professionals navigate their early career with confidence and purpose, so that they can build careers where they are both fulfilled and rewarded for their talents. I’ve helped my clients land internships and full-time roles in Fortune 100 companies and unicorn startups alike.
My Coaching Approach
In partnership with my clients, we create a collaborative environment that is characterized by empathy, transparency, and iterative feedback.
You’ll find that as a coach, I will:
- Ask a lot of questions (because YOU are the expert in your career)
- Listen to you (because YOU have hugely valuable insights and ideas)
- Positively challenge you (because YOU have untapped potential)
- Cheer for you (because YOU are worthy of it)
Together, we can address topics such as:
- Career exploration
- Identifying strengths
- Goal setting
- Building positive habits
- Impostor syndrome
- Resume / Cover letter tailoring
- LinkedIn optimization
- Networking strategy
- Personal branding
- Interviewing
What my clients say
“Lasse brings the perfect combination of mentorship with tough love. I have gained valuable insights which have improved my competitive advantage and expanded my skill sets. An exemplary character, Lasse goes out of his way to make sure the path to success is navigable and attainable. Working with Lasse is something I highly vouch for and encourage.”
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“I have learned how to develop smart goals and bring them into fruition. Employing well-crafted strategies onto my development has exponentially propelled my professional career into new highs. Through Lasse’s guidance, making critical decisions relating to my career has become effortless. I can organize numerous options at hand permitting me the ability to capitalize on the most optimal outcome.”
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“The summer between my junior and senior year, I landed an internship at Anheuser-Busch as a People Trainee Program Intern. Prior to graduation, I accepted an offer with Dell EMC. Lasse helped me look past my narrow career scope and helped me get opportunities like these.”
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“I have been able to grasp the general interview process better and been able to feel more confident having an insight to what types of questions the interviewer would ask. I experienced this firsthand when Lasse was helping me prepare for my IBM Summit Sales Internship interview, which I was offered and accepted.”
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“After working with Lasse, I was able to transfer into the Kenan-Flagler Business School at UNC. I was one of 12 candidates that were allowed to transfer directly into the business school. There was a 4% acceptance rate, and since being at UNC I have been able to secure an internship with a boutique investment bank in the Charlotte area. I would attribute a large amount of that success to the work that Lasse and I put in together.”
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“It was amazing and I learned so much. I am excited for the future now and have a better idea of what I want to do with my future and how to reach those goals.” – Max L.
