{"id":19987,"date":"2025-07-18T09:18:07","date_gmt":"2025-07-18T09:18:07","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/lourdesmonteiro.com\/?page_id=19987"},"modified":"2025-07-18T09:42:00","modified_gmt":"2025-07-18T09:42:00","slug":"carolina-santos","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/lourdesmonteiro.com\/en\/carolina-santos\/","title":{"rendered":"Carolina Santos"},"content":{"rendered":"

I’ve always been curious, restless, and interested in many things. When it was time to choose a degree, I found myself opting for Business Administration because it led to more career opportunities. Even so, I built a career that others around me considered successful. But I didn\u2019t see myself in the work I was doing, so staying on that path was leading me to feel increasingly uneased.<\/p>\n

Along the way, I started leading teams. And through leadership, I realized what truly energized me were people: ensuring they understood constant workplace changes and had the conditions to thrive. Perhaps because of that part of my job, I tried to adapt and stay on the career path I had built. I was 30 years old and believed that I already had the \u201cFinance label\u201d, that it was too late to change roles or areas. So, I changed companies instead, hoping the discomfort would disappear. But it didn\u2019t\u2026 it worsen, it became unbearable.<\/p>\n

One Friday night, almost as an emotional release, I blurted out something I hadn\u2019t dared to say before: \u201cI want to change careers.\u201d. Saying it brought me relief and hope. I acted immediately. That was when I discovered Lourdes Monteiro, and that\u2019s when my transformation began. I gained confidence, clarity, and an actionable plan. I decided that I wanted to move into Human Resources. So, I studied at night while working at a full-time job that drained me, until I realized I wouldn\u2019t have the time or energy to make the change I wanted. I finally found the courage to make a financial plan and quit.<\/p>\n

Over the following months, I stayed focused and applied strategically to roles I knew would motivate me. Behind the scenes, I worked on my mindset and surrounded myself with allies. I got exactly what I wanted: working in Organizational Culture in a big consultancy firm. It was the first time I felt real meaning at work.<\/p>\n

I loved the entire experience and got to do many things I truly enjoyed: writing articles, moderating conversations, being a speaker and a trainer… And as life moves in cycles, when I felt I had learned all I needed there, I moved on to another organization. But to my surprise, I found myself once again misaligned with the values, with the responsibilities… I couldn\u2019t understand how I\u2019d ended up back in that place. I fought it until I reached complete physical, mental, and emotional exhaustion. Yes, I had a burnout. During that time, I kept asking myself: What kind of life do I want to have? And how can my career better serve my life and the lives of others?<\/p>\n

That\u2019s when I realized I needed more than meaning. I also needed freedom and impact. I decided to work independently. That was the moment when coaching and mentoring became conscious career choices. Today, I help people manage and (re)design their careers, make intentional and aligned decisions, and bring more energy, balance, and meaning into their lives.<\/p>\n

You might have seen yourself in some of the things I\u2019ve shared. Maybe you\u2019re ready to rethink your career and create change. And maybe you feel fear, doubt, external pressure. I know that place very well. I\u2019ve been there – more than once. And I also know what\u2019s on the other side: self-awareness, power, freedom.<\/p>\n

That\u2019s why I joined Lourdes Monteiro and Career Redesign\u00ae. Because I deeply believe in people\u2019s potential to reinvent their lives and careers when they choose to do something for themselves.<\/p>\n

Qualifications<\/strong><\/h3>\n

I\u2019m a Coach certified by the International Coaching Federation, hold an Executive master\u2019s in strategic human resources management (INDEG \u2013 ISCTE), a Postgraduate Degree in Digital Marketing (Universidade Europeia), and a bachelor\u2019s degree in management from the Faculty of Economics, University of Coimbra.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

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