Susan Hamilton
College and career coach for students and parents in California
| Hourly rate range | $150 to $225 an hour |
|---|---|
| Focus areas | |
| Works with | Students and Parents |
| Also coaches | Career coach |
| Based in | California, United States |
| Credentials | HECA member; NACAC ethical standards |
| Practice | SJH Development College and Career Coaching |
Susan Hamilton is a college and career coach who helps students and their parents plan for college and choose a career path. He started his coaching practice in 2005. Before that, he taught fourth grade in Gilroy and worked as a college and career counselor with San Jose Unified School District. He starts with a student's strengths and dreams, then builds the college plan from there. He is based in California.
What Susan helps with
Susan helps students plan for college, pick a major and choose a career direction. He also helps families with the admissions process.
- Undergraduate college planning and selection
- Choosing a major
- Career assessment and counseling
- Building a strong college essay
- Choosing extracurricular activities and courses
- Finishing college in 4 years
- Finding scholarships
Who Susan works with
Susan works with students and their parents. Families can start as soon as they begin to think about college admissions. He also works with students who are unsure what to study or what career to pursue.
How Susan works
Susan begins with a free 30-minute meeting to explain the admissions process and outline a plan. He learns each student's strengths through personal talks and testing. He then researches options and presents them, and choices are made with the student and family. Student and coach meet on a regular basis. After each session, parents get a summary of what was discussed, plus the student's tasks and deadlines.
Background and qualifications
Susan Hamilton began his career as a fourth grade teacher in Gilroy and became a master teacher after four years. He taught applied academics to adults and high school students. He then became a college and career counselor with San Jose Unified School District. During summers, he started a private practice in education and career development counseling. He started College and Career Coaching in 2005. He created the Starfish Initiative career planning and mentoring curriculum for Grades 9 to 16, and a student guide called I'm Going to College. He is a HECA member.
Susan Hamilton pricing
Programs and services
- Free 30-minute intro meeting
- Undergraduate college planning and selection
- Career assessment and counseling
- Group rates and packages
Susan Hamilton reviews
The CoachVouch take
A former public school teacher and district college and career counselor who built a career planning curriculum for Grades 9 to 16.
Best for students and parents who want a plan that starts with the student's strengths before choosing a college.
Common questions
How much does Susan Hamilton charge?
Coaching with Susan runs $150 to $225 an hour. Message Susan from this page for an exact quote.
What does Susan Hamilton help with?
Susan Hamilton helps with undergraduate college planning and selection, choosing a major, career assessment and counseling and building a strong college essay.
Is Susan Hamilton certified?
Susan Hamilton lists: HECA member; NACAC ethical standards.
When should families start working with Susan Hamilton?
Susan says families should start as soon as they begin to think about college admissions.
Do parents get updates after sessions with Susan Hamilton?
Yes. After each session, parents get a summary of what was discussed, the activities, and the student's tasks and deadlines.
How do I contact Susan Hamilton?
Send Susan a message from this page. It's free and takes a minute.
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Last updated September 2026. Request a correction.