What’s Next?

Empowering Futures for Young Adults

Mapping Your Future Begins Here

At What’s Next? Empowering Futures of Young Adults, we specialize in inspiring and mentoring young adults through a transformative self-discovery journey. We start by asking the right questions and getting to know your wants and needs intimately. Through engaging interactions and powerful tools like personality assessments, financial literacy modules, resume crafting and LinkedIn profile assistance, job and career research and ongoing support, we lead you towards actionable steps for a brighter future. Let's embark on this journey together and unlock your full potential!

Personality Assessments

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Job Career Research

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Goal Setting

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Personal Financial Literacy

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Resume Building

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Personality Assessments ✳︎ Job Career Research ✳︎ Goal Setting ✳︎ Personal Financial Literacy ✳︎ Resume Building ✳︎

My Approach

PERSONALIZED GUIDANCE

  • Tailored to individual needs

  • Services include simplifying essential financial concepts for life decisions.

  • Analyzing personality traits

  • Crafting compelling resumes to showcase strengths

  • Comprehensive Job and Career Research

  • Utilize a variety of career exploration tools to guide you on your career path

COMPREHENSIVE SUPPORT

  • Services extend beyond traditional education

  • Equipping with essential life skills

  • Focus areas include financial literacy, career development, and personal growth

  • Providing tools, resources, and knowledge for confident adulthood navigation

INTERACTIVE LEARNING

  • Emphasis on interactive learning and self-discovery

  • Utilizing interactive tools, resources, and educational content

  • Encouraging active engagement in personal development journey

  • Aim to provide valuable insights and skills through the process

REAL RESULTS

  • Highlighting success stories and testimonials

  • Demonstrating the benefits of the approach

  • Countless young adults have benefited

  • Outcomes include gaining clarity, confidence and actionable strategies for goal achievement and fulfilling futures

Karen Johnson, a veteran educator and passionate advocate for young adults, founded "What's Next? Empowering Young Adults' Futures" to provide essential support beyond traditional education. With extensive teaching experience and a deep understanding of the challenges young adults face, Karen offers personalized services in:

  • Self Discovery

  • Personality Assessments

  • Financial Literacy

  • Resume Crafting and LinkedIn profile assistance

  • Goal setting

  • Job and Career Research

    🌟 Ongoing Support

    At What’s Next?, our work doesn’t stop when the sessions end. We stick with you—whether it’s preparing for an interview, refining your resume, or navigating the job search. You don’t have to figure it out alone—We’ll be here to guide you through the next steps.

Her dedication to helping individuals unlock their full potential has positively impacted countless lives, establishing her as a trusted mentor and advisor in education and career development.

Karen holds a Bachelor’s Degree from Kelley School of Business, Indiana University in Marketing and a Master’s Degree in Business Education from the University of Georgia. She holds certifications in Careers, Credit, Investing, Behavioral Economics, Consumer Skills and Insurance from Next Generation Personal Finance.

What People Are Saying

  • Gwen and Chad P. Parents of a high school graduate

    “IT IS TRULY HARD TO PUT INTO WORDS THE IMPACT THAT KAREN HAD ON OUR DAUGHTER. SHE HELPED HER TO NAVIGATE A TRANSITIONAL PERIOD BETWEEN HIGH SCHOOL AND DETERMINING HER NEXT STEPS. IT IS A WONDERFUL EXPERIENCE! WE HIGHLY RECOMMEND WHAT’S NEXT TO ANY PARENT OR YOUNG ADULT THAT IS LOOKING TO ADD LIFE SKILLS AND SELF-INSIGHT TO THEIR KNOWLEDGE OF REAL-WORLD READINESS. KAREN IS TRULY A GIFT TO ANYONE WHO DECIDES TO ENGAGE IN THE WHAT’S NEXT PROGRAM. WE CAN’T SING HER PRAISES ENOUGH…THANK YOU KAREN FOR EVERYTHING!"

  • Ann L. 29-year-old in career transition, exploring her next chapter

    "WORKING WITH KAREN THROUGH 'WHAT’S NEXT?' HAS BEEN A TRANSFORMATIVE EXPERIENCE WHEN I FELT LOST IN BOTH MY PROFESSIONAL AND PERSONAL LIVES. HER BELIEF IN ME AND DETAILED GUIDANCE IN FINANCIAL STABILITY, MAINTAINING STRESS, AND BUILDING RELATIONSHIPS ALLOWED ME TO STRIVE FOR A FULFILLING LIFE. TOGETHER, WE SET ACHIEVABLE GOALS WHILE SHE WAS THERE TO SUPPORT ME EVERY STEP OF THE WAY. I HIGHLY RECOMMEND KAREN TO ANYONE SEEKING A MEANINGFUL PATH TO SELF-DISCOVERY AND SUCCESS.”

  • Jenny R. Mother of 19-year-old discovering his path and next steps

    "SEEKING GUIDANCE AND SUPPORT FROM WHAT'S NEXT? AND KAREN JOHNSON HELPED MY SON GAIN A NEW UNDERSTANDING OF HIS STRENGTHS AND INTERESTS AND PRESENTED HIM WITH A VARIETY OF OPTIONS TO CONSIDER AS HE TRANSITIONS INTO ADULTHOOD. KAREN WAS ORGANIZED, THOROUGH, MOTIVATING AND ENCOURAGING. A SUMMARY OF THE RESULTS FROM VARIOUS ASSESSMENTS AND DISCOVERY SESSIONS ENSURED THAT MY SON HAD ALL OF THE TOOLS AND RESOURCES ON HAND AFTER HIS ONE-ON-ONE SESSIONS ENDED. I RECOMMEND WHAT'S NEXT? TO ANYONE CONSIDERING MAKING A CAREER OR LIFE CHANGE THAT'S NOT QUITE SURE WHERE TO START. OUR EXPECTATIONS WERE EXCEEDED IN EVERY WAY.” 

  • Kathy H. Mother of two young adults who completed the What’s Next? program

    “I WOULD LIKE TO HIGHLY RECOMMEND KAREN JOHNSON, FOUNDER OF WHAT'S NEXT? EMPOWERING FUTURES FOR YOUNG ADULTS.  

    I read about Karen on a Miami University Parents page and was intrigued.  We reached out to her with some questions.  The university offers career counseling, but we were looking for more.  For us, this was an excellent fit.  

    From the first consultation through self discovery, career research, financial literacy and so much more, Karen provided top notch service.  This program offers solid coaching with flexibility, customized to the individual.  Additionally Karen understands each individual's unique talents and gifts.  Karen was very friendly, offered an extra nudge when needed resulting in great feedback to move forward in building a life and career.  

    An investment that was well worth it.  â€ť

  • Braedon R. Recent college graduate navigating the job search

    “I AM VERY APPRECIATIVE FOR MY TIME WITH WHAT’S NEXT AS IT HAS BEEN BENEFICIAL AND RESOURCEFUL FOR MY POST GRADUATE CAREER. IT WAS HELPFUL IN HELPING ME LAY OUT A FRAMEWORK IN THE JOB SEARCHING PROCESS AS WELL AS GIVING ME MATERIAL FOR FINANCIAL AND GOAL PLANNING. I FEEL A LOT BETTER ABOUT MY NEXT STEPS IN MY CAREER BECAUSE BEFORE I WAS UNCOMFORTABLE WITH THE WHOLE PROCESS TO BEGIN WITH AND NOW HAVE DIRECTION.”

  • Mary H. College senior seeking direction on interviews and career paths

    “AS A COLLEGE SENIOR, I FELT LIKE I HAD LEARNED A LOT ABOUT THE WORLD AROUND ME, HOW TO WORK IN GROUPS, AND SKILLS PARTICULAR TO MY MAJOR. WHAT’S NEXT HELPED ME TO DEVELOP A KEY UNDERSTANDING OF MYSELF THAT ENABLED ME TO FEEL CONFIDENT ABOUT MULTIPLE CAREER PATHS THAT I COULD ENJOY AND POSITIVELY CONTRIBUTE TO. KAREN IS AN ENCOURAGING AND DEDICATED MENTOR AND I WOULD RECOMMEND WHAT’S NEXT TO ANYBODY LOOKING TO TRY SOMETHING NEW IN THEIR CAREER.  ”

  • Darian R. Father supporting a recent graduate’s career journey

    “I FOUND KAREN’S WHAT’S NEXT THROUGH MIAMI’S PARENT PORTAL AND THOUGHT IT MIGHT BE A GOOD INVESTMENT AFTER MY SON GRADUATED WITHOUT A JOB LINED UP. HE WAS OVERWHELMED BY THE PROCESS AND UNSURE WHERE TO BEGIN. KAREN HELPED HIM POLISH HIS RESUME, SET UP JOB ALERTS, AND LEARN HOW TO APPLY WITH CONFIDENCE. HER PROGRAM GAVE HIM A STRONG KICK START IN THE RIGHT DIRECTION, AND SHE TRULY CARES ABOUT HELPING YOUNG ADULTS FIGURE OUT WHAT’S NEXT.”

  • Diego R. Mid-20s professional finding direction and purpose

    “KAREN WAS AWESOME TO WORK WITH. SHE HELPED ME FIGURE OUT MY GOALS, TIGHTEN UP MY RESUME, AND SHOWED ME A CLEAR PATH FOR MY CAREER. SHE MADE EVERYTHING WAY EASIER, GAVE GREAT ADVICE AND PROVIDED A WEALTH OF INFORMATION THAT TRULY SET ME UP FOR SUCCESS. DEFINITELY RECOMMEND HER!”

  • Jennifer H. Mother of college-aged and young adult children seeking guidance

    “THANK YOU FOR MENTORING MY FAMILY SO EFFECTIVELY. THEIR GROWTH AND NEWFOUND CONFIDENCE ARE A TESTAMENT TO YOUR IMPACTFUL MENTORSHIP. YOUR SERVICE HAS SET THEM UP FOR SUCCESS IN COLLEGE AND BEYOND. THANK YOU FOR BEING A VALUABLE PART OF THEIR JOURNEY..”

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