How I Started: Creating Tenacious Careers Services with Tina Mensa-Kwao
Business logo for Tenacious Career Services
Some of the readers, may not know you. Please share a bit about your background, your academic background, your previous academic and work experience, any career highlights or awards so far, or anything else you want to share about yourself.
I am a Doctoral Candidate in the Department of Mental Health at Johns Hopkins School of Public Health. I started my doctoral journey studying Global Health Implementation Science at the University of Washington, where I received the Provost Award and served on the Dean’s Advisory Council. I earned a Bachelor’s degree in Neuroscience and Global Development Studies from the University of Virginia, and then a Master’s in Public Health in Behavioral Sciences and Health Education from Rollins School of Public Health at Emory University. At Emory, I conducted qualitative research on Haitian women’s mental health and co-authored two peer-reviewed publications. I also led as Rollins’ Student Government President and served as the 2018 Student Commencement Speaker.
I am a results-driven, creative, and ambitious public health enthusiast with more than 10 years of experience in the private and public sector and academia. I worked as a Public Health Advisor in the Division of Global Health Protection at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), and prior to that, served as an Evaluation Fellow in the Division of Diabetes Translation. I was deployed to the International Task Force for the 2019 Novel Coronavirus Response as a Special Assistant to the Deputy of Programs. Prior to joining the CDC, I developed communications and stakeholder engagement strategies working at the Clinton Foundation and Global Health Strategies in New York.
"Our mission is to empower individuals to navigate the ever-evolving world of work with confidence, resilience, and unwavering determination."
Could you share more about Tenacious Career Services, what do you do, and why did you start it?
Tenacious Career Services is your dedicated partner on the path to professional success. Our mission is to empower individuals to navigate the ever-evolving world of work with confidence, resilience, and unwavering determination. We offer a wide range of services designed to propel your career to new heights.
Our services include personalized career coaching, resume optimization, interview preparation, and job search strategies, all tailored to your unique goals and aspirations. We understand that the journey to a fulfilling career can be challenging, but with Tenacious Career Services by your side, you can be sure that we will help you overcome obstacles and reach your full potential.
Whether you're a recent graduate looking to kickstart your career, a seasoned professional seeking a career change, or someone in between, Tenacious Career Services is here to provide the guidance and support you need to thrive in today's competitive job market. Let us be your partner in achieving your dreams and advancing your career with tenacity and determination.
For the past seven years, I have dedicated myself to guiding and inspiring public health professionals and students as a highly effective career coach. My commitment to empowering individuals in their professional journeys was exemplified during my tenure at Chilombo Global Career Services, where, over two and a half years, I played a pivotal role in transforming resumes, conducting mock interviews, and providing other invaluable career services. My efforts directly contributed to numerous successful job placements. Tenacious Career Services currently provides personalized career coaching, resume optimization, interview preparation, and job search strategies, all tailored to your unique goals and aspirations.
"Moreover, we emphasize transparency and education, helping clients understand the rationale behind our strategies and decisions, all with their career aspirations as our guiding focus."
How do you balance your academic work with offering services?
Balancing my academic work as a PhD student with offering career services through Tenacious Career Services requires careful time management. What has helped me is allocating time on my calendar weekly to work on my business, whether that is creating content to promote my services, having client consultations and other business development activities. The most important part of balance is maintaining clear boundaries and a structured routine to ensure I can effectively contribute to both my academic and professional responsibilities. As a doctoral student, my academic pursuits are my primary focus, but they naturally complement my role as a career services business owner. The synergy between my company and my academic interests allows me to seamlessly integrate both responsibilities. I am passionate about helping public health professionals and students, making it a rewarding experience to balance these two aspects of my professional life.
What can people expect for the future of Tenacious Career Services?
Tenacious Career Services is dedicated to delivering exceptional service and ensuring client satisfaction. We take pride in our attention to detail and our commitment to producing high-quality results. Moreover, we emphasize transparency and education, helping clients understand the rationale behind our strategies and decisions, all with their career aspirations as our guiding focus. For the future, we will expand our offerings to include more personalized coaching and comprehensive career development packages. Our commitment to excellence and client success will drive us to stay at the forefront of public health careers, ensuring we provide the highest quality support and guidance for career advancement.
Tina Mensa-Kwao, Founder and CEO of Tenacious Career Services
What advice would you have for someone who wants to start a career service?
Starting a career service firm can be incredibly rewarding if you approach it strategically. It’s important to identify your niche and target audience, which in my case is public health professionals and students. It’s important to do your research to understand demand and competition. Enhance your credibility by discussing your results with clients and ensuring that you are getting reviews from clients for your services. Moreover, it’s important to build an online presence through active social media engagement, which I would say is the most challenging especially since this is not my full-time focus as I am a student. One way to engage potential clients is by offering free resources like templates and career advice. Finally, I want to emphasize the importance of collecting feedback and showcasing testimonials to build trust, while also continuously evaluating and improving your services.
Where can people stay connected with you (as an individual) and Tenacious Career Services?
Services Offered (Prices in USD)
Any Resume + Cover Letter: $450
2-page Resume: $400
Federal Resume: $400
Linkedin Revamp: $350
Personal statement:$300
Mock Interview (45 mins): $200
Coaching Call Consultation (45 mins): $150
Cover Letter: $100
Expedited service: $100
Contact
Tenacious Career Services Contact: tina@tenaciouscareerservices.com
Tina’s personal contact: amensak1@jh.edu
