When Cathy Merritt started to research graduate programs, she already held a senior leadership position in the retail apparel industry. Although she loved that experience, she felt the time had come to move her career in a new direction. She took stock of the responsibilities in her current role and realized she relished in the opportunity to work with new leaders on her team. After researching what kinds of professional paths she could follow that presented similar opportunities, she found executive coaching.

At this time, the NYU SPS Executive Coaching and Consulting (ECOC) program was being created. She explained, "ECOC was exactly what I was looking for and the perfect opportunity that supported my aspirations and career pivot."

Cathy enrolled in the program in 2020, amidst the COVID-19 pandemic, which meant her classes were remote. Transitioning back to school remotely after years working in a professional setting was new for her. Remote learning didn't stop her from creating meaningful relationships with peers and professors.

When asked how her time at NYU prepared her to thrive in her field, she mentioned the classes were interactive and collaborative. The curriculum wasn't theoretical, but practical and hands-on, while adhering to the International Coaching Federation (ICF) standards. Some activities she found impactful include working in coaching pairs to apply ICF principles in real-time and working in project teams. These mock project teams mirrored the dynamics of real consulting work. She shared, "These projects were comprehensive, requiring us to conduct research, develop strategies, and ultimately, present our findings and recommendations. This simulated environment sharpened our abilities to work collaboratively, think critically, and communicate effectively."

After completing the ECOC program, Cathy joined Korn Ferry's advisory practice. Her studies rendered her well-prepared. She shared, "The comprehensive curriculum of the program was pivotal in preparing me for the responsibilities of my current position. Additionally, it provided me with immersive learning experiences to grow my skills that spanned the critical areas of consulting and executive coaching."

Merritt remains an active member of the growing and thriving NYU ECOC community. She recently attended the NYU Coaching and Technology Summit and spoke as a panelist. During the event, she spoke to past and present students, sharing insights from her academic journey and professional career. She appreciates the opportunity it brings to engage with faculty, industry leaders, alums, and current students.

We asked Cathy what advice she has for incoming students. She finds building different types of relationships extremely important.

Want to learn more about ECOC? Check out the Master's of Science in Executive Coaching and Organizational Consulting program for details.