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Episode 47: Signs You're Not In Control of Your Career—And What You Can Do About It with Erika Ayers Badan
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Sadaf Sajwani

Lecturer, Professional Development, Columbia University (SIPA), Co-Founder & COO, Games and Learning, Inc.
$249/Session
8 Reviews
Expertise:
Networking, Job Search Strategies, Interview Questions, Resumes, LinkedIn Optimization, Leadership + Management, Career Transitions, Career Development, Industry Insight
Mentor Image - Sadaf Sajwani

About Me

If you’re stuck in your job process, unsure of how to move forward, or if you lost your job and don’t know how to get back on your feet… I know what you’re going through! While a grad student, I was on the “job hunt” two years in a row – first for an internship, then for a job post-graduation. And little did I know that I would be on the hunt again less than a year later – I was laid off due to funding cuts. Through all this, I became an expert in finding a job and leading a successful career. Over the past five years, I have helped hundreds of individuals land the jobs of their dreams. As a Lecturer at Columbia University, I teach the graduate level Professional Development course. I’m also a Career Coach at Columbia, working with students and alumni on growing their careers. Through my own experience I can empower women, particularly women of color, with the tools and techniques needed to transcend glass ceilings. I like to ensure my mentees avoid some of the mistakes I made along the way, so that together we can rise! Whether you’re a recent graduate or an experienced professional that needs a reboot, I’m here to help. I can assist you with the following: • Navigating a career change • Setting career goals • Learning the best job search techniques • Writing stunning resumes and cover letters • Optimizing your LinkedIn profile to attract recruiters • Connecting and networking with other professionals for continued career success • Preparing for interviews • Bouncing back after a layoff • Figuring out what's next for your career • Managing challenging work situations as a woman of color I have nearly 20 years of experience working in the social impact, international development, education, media, edtech, and nonprofit sectors for organizations such as the United Nations, Sesame Street, and the Aga Khan Development Network. If you work in any of these industries or would like to learn more, I’m here to help! I look forward to our journey together.

Get to Know Me

Current Position
Lecturer, Professional Development, Columbia University (SIPA), Co-Founder & COO, Games and Learning, Inc.
Previous Positions
Director of Partnerships, Sesame Workshop September 2011 - July 2018
Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) Consultant, PepsiCo November 2010 - May 2011
Intern - Knowledge Management Group, Bureau for Development Policy, United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) June 2011 - August 2011
Supervisor - Operations, Order Fulfillment, Quality Control, McMaster-Carr Supply Company December 2004 - March 2008
Intern - Department of Political Affairs, United Nations July 2004 - September 2004
Intern - Afghan Rehabilitation Program, Aga Khan Development Network June 2001 - August 2001
Education
Master of International Affairs | Columbia University, School of International and Public Affairs
BA in International Relations | Tufts University

The question isn't who's going to let me, it's who is going to stop me. - Ayn Rand

Reviews

My session with Sadaf was incredibly valuable. She takes a thoughtful and strategic approach, helping you design a purposeful career path that truly aligns with your values and experience. Sadaf provided insightful exercises that helped me craft a compelling personal narrative, making it easier to present my story with confidence. I left the session feeling more focused and equipped with practical tools to take the next steps in my career. Highly recommend!

Anna G. , 40
Nov. 15, 2024

An amazing session! Sadaf just had an abundance of advice and experience to share. I'd been struggling with not knowing where to begin or where to look and within minutes of talking with her, I had gotten the answers to so many of my questions and more. She's so friendly, empathetic, gives practical and specific advice, and made me feel prepared to take on this next step. I am so grateful to her and recommend her without hesitation.

Aapta G. , 35
Mar. 19, 2021

I'm so grateful to Sadaf for a brilliant session. She came well prepared having reviewed my application materials and armed with information to address the agenda I had prepared. Her insightful advice included industry trends, best practices for job applications and personal anecdotes of how she had handled similar situations. I was particularly impressed by her follow up after the session with additional tips and resources. Thank you Sadaf for: being a compassionate listener, providing me with actionable tips, clarity on my path forward and inspiration when I needed it most!

Anonymous, 32
May. 07, 2020

I reached out to Sadaf because I was in the process of relocating to a new city, and wanted advice refreshing my resume and LinkedIn. Sadaf gave me helpful feedback, and a process to follow to make adjustments my materials. She covered a lot within one session, making it well worth the cost. She also followed up one month after to check in on my progress. I felt much more confident moving forward in my process of looking for a new role. I would definitely recommend her!

Nicole C. , 35
Jul. 17, 2019

Sadaf gave me time and individual attention to understand my background and what my resume needs were. Her demeanor and attitude towards me calmed my anxiety, and helped me to start thinking productively about how to approach my resume. Sadaf then helped me think through which information was necessary, what structure was right for me, and how to phrase the information the right way to appeal to potential employers. I now have the kind of position I set out for, and confidence in my resume helped my overall confidence when interviewing. Sadaf's approach is comprehensive and it was clear she was invested in my success. I highly recommend her services.

Anonymous, 37
Mar. 27, 2019

Sadaf is a fantastic coach. She has an extremely interesting background and a myriad of experiences to help relate to individuals at early, mid, and even late stage careers. She has a remarkable ability to listen to understand rather than listening to respond. With Sadaf -- there is no shaming or sugar coating. Your failures, fears, and the like are out there because Sadaf is not shy in sharing her own experience and being vulnerable with you first. This is who you want in your corner as you are searching for your role, the person you want to call when you are questioning, and the CEO for your next company. Thank you Sadaf!

Farhan M. , 23
Mar. 04, 2019