What we do

Circles got its name from my belief that isolation often feeds our fears and insecurities whereas in groups we become stronger and more fulfilled humans. Together we can diminish anxiety, grow confidence, and find answers that were elusive before.

Whether in a circle of two (young person and Dr. Julia Kirst) or more people, in Circles I teach a method proven to help young people deepen their understanding of themselves and of what the world needs and will pay for. When personal motivation and financial reward meet, we have found the key to creating a future that is fulfilling.

Circles take place in larger groups or in private sessions with Dr. Julia Kirst. We may meet in person or virtually.

For the beginner who wants an affordable and quick information session, we recommend the Introduction Circles.

If you completed an Introduction Circle and want to deepen your knowledge of a specific area, we recommend one or more thematic Workshop Circles.

And if you decide that you need more individualized help, we recommend a Subscription, in which you receive personalized assistance over several months.

Circle work is also available for schools and community organizations that want to offer a semester-long career and college counseling program for their students. To discuss a possible partnership and the specifics of your needs, please send a message.

The philosophy behind Circles

How Circles work

Three kinds of Circles

Introduction Circles cover the fundamentals of career and university counseling, giving an overview of what every young person should know and consider as they prepare to design their own future. Family members are also invited, as they play a fundamental role in supporting the next steps of every young person.

We meet online 3 evenings in a row for 1 hour each time. Please check the link below to find the most current dates, times and languages offered. New Introduction Circles are available every month and in several languages.

To register, follow the link below and select the Intro Circle that works best for you (and your family, if they wish to attend). Make sure to select the Intro Circle offered in the language of your preference.

A single registration fee ($20 dollars before discounts) covers the attendance of up to 3 members of the same family.

Subscription packages are our most customizable option, as we meet one-on-one to work on specific career and college counseling areas that you need help with.

Among the areas you may decide to work on are career planning, labor market exploration, university research, college essays, and other documents, as well as application platform walkthroughs to submit your candidacy.

Subscriptions have four levels. (You may add additional hours later at the regular hourly rate, as the package discounts only apply to the original package you sign up for.)

Starter is the 5-hour package, which is typically delivered in 30 and 60-minute sessions over a period of 1 to 2 months. The Starter package comes with a 5% discount over the cost of 5 private sessions.

Growth is the 10-hour package, which is typically delivered in 30 and 60-minute sessions over a period of 2 to 3 months. The Growth package comes with a 10% discount over the cost of 10 private sessions.

Focus is the 15-hour package, which is typically delivered in 30 and 60-minute sessions over a period of 3 to 4 months. The Focus package comes with a 15% discount over the cost of 15 private sessions.

Mastery is the 20-hour package, which is typically delivered in 30 and 60-minute sessions over a period of 4 to 5 months. The Mastery package comes with a 20% discount over the cost of 20 private sessions.

To request a price list, send me a note or schedule a free Exploration Chat to discuss your needs, budget, and how I can help.

Workshop Circles are intensive events for young people to deepen their knowledge, learn tools, investigate options, define goals, and--for workshop 5 specifically--prepare application materials.

Each workshop focuses on one of the following five themes.

1. Self-Knowledge Tools for Career Design

2. Labor Market Research Tools for Career Design

3. Researching University Options Around the World - with funding options in mind

4. Developing Your Personal University List - with application deadlines and document needs in mind

5. Writing the College Essay/Carta de Motivacion, the Supplemental Essays and the Resume.

Each Workshop Circle meets for 4 hours in a single meeting on a Saturday or Sunday.

If you would like to attend most or all workshops, the order above is recommended. However, you can always chose one workshop and later attend another in the order you prefer. Workshop Circles were created to give you the flexibility to focus exactly on what you need and when you need it.

Before you sign up for a Workshop Circle, consider participating in an Introduction Circle first. This way you will be better able to understand where the Workshop Circle you plan to attend fits in the larger picture of what every young person should know and consider when designing their future.

To receive 20% off when you register for an Intro Circle between July and September 2025, use the code WELCOME20 at check out!

To receive 20% off when you register for a Workshop Circle between July and September 2025, use the code WELCOME20 at check out!