Create your future.
Hello
I'm Karolyn, Founder & CEO of Island Advantage Coaching and I really only have one goal: I want to help you achieve the academic or career dreams that you have for yourself, that perhaps only you can see.
In 2020, I took to WhatsApp to share my vision of using my own experiences studying abroad to support Caribbean students and professionals. As a result of that one post, I was able to support the 2021 Caribbean Commonwealth Rhodes scholar, and since then, I've coached individuals who secured Chevening scholarships and merit-based scholarships for their chosen scools in the US, UK and even Ireland. Education opened all the doors for me and it has been my greatest joy to support you in doing the same.
On the career front, whether you are early- career, mid Management or Executive, I use my own lived experiences in the Caribbean and internationally to help you achieve better opportunities that more align with your education and skillset. With my background in Consulting, Tech, Business Development and Strategy, I understand the business and industry and provide relevant, strategic insights that support you in resume development and interview prep for local or international opportunities.
What I love the most is that even if I may have started from scratch, you won't have to. Here you will find resources to support your academic or professional goals - blog posts, videos, e-books, and when you are ready to start creating your future, I am here to help.
My Story
In 2012, I had a really clear vision that the very next step for me was to pursue my MBA in America. I am from the country side of the beautiful island of Barbados and had never met anyone who had studied abroad in the US. I did know many who chose to pursue Masters in the UK, and my sister was one of them.
As I started my research, I realized there were two elements I would need to do well at : GMAT and Essay writing.
For the next 3 years, I tried to navigate the process - trying to find the right school for me, trying to understand what scholarships were available to me and writing essays. I was rejected every year from the school I applied to from 2013 - 2015.
I know the heartbreak of wanting something so badly and being unable to achieve it.
Finally, in 2016, I was accepted to the best school for me after refreshing my approach - the University of Maryland, Smith School of Business with scholarship to pursue my Master of Business Administration. It was one of the most transformative experiences to date. It was my launching pad for the person I am today. Given that I wanted to use my MBA to gain skills that would augment my Technology background and degree- I chose to focus on Strategy, Entrepreneurship and Finance.
I immersed myself fully in the graduate experience - supporting the award winning Dingman Centre for Entrepreneurship, I invested in the student body and community and was awarded for my impact, I participated in case studies and venture capitalist competitions, and with an all-female team, we won that year - that was an incredibly special moment for me. I even had the opportunity to represent my country of Barbados at the World Bank Youth Summit in 2017- where the focus was on Technology and Innovation for Impact and to see my life now, what incredible alignment for what my future would hold. I was even the student speaker at the end of year banquet for the graduating class of 2018 -ME! This country girl from the island of Barbados!
As I reflect on that time, I am grateful for the experiences, even at times when I did it, afraid and unsure that it would all work out for me. That's the reality of starting over - even with all the opportunities that may lie ahead, you still can never be sure whether it will be what you desire it to be.
However, nothing could prepare me for what navigating the international job market would be like - it was a lonely, exhausting experience as an international student. I was consistently rejected for every role I applied for, until I checked my e-mail one day and the very first company that invited me to interview for a Manager role was Google. Yes, GOOGLE with nothing but my Caribbean experience. It gave me the hope and the drive I needed to know that my expertise and experiences were still valid and the resume that I wrote would open doors for me. For that reason, Google will always hold a very special place in my heart - as it offered me hope at a time that I needed it most.
So, in 2020, as the world came to a halt as a result of the global pandemic, I reflected on my struggles and experiences, I knew that my experience was not unique. I wanted to meet whomever I could and support them in navigating with more clarity and support. That individual I supported by helping with interview prep went on to be awarded the 2021 Rhodes Scholarship for the Caribbean Commonwealth and he was from my country - the beautiful country of Barbados.
Since that experience in 2021, I have met over 150 Caribbean nationals, supporting them in academic and professional goals. I support them in navigating their local market or international markets, based on my experience and expertise. I have supported individuals gaining admissions to schools in the United States, United Kingdom and Ireland. I have supported individuals gaining job opportunities in their home countries, regionally or internationally. guiding them through navigating international opportunities from resume development and all stages of interview prep. Successful clients have landed roles in the Caribbean, at Big Four Firms in the US or Fortune 50 companies globally, across various roles like Accounting, Technology, Cybersecurity, Strategy, Data Analytics, Business, Finance and more.
I especially enjoy knowing that as a transformational people leader in my chosen field of Technology and Engineering, that I can take those experiences and support building the talent that is in the Caribbean, along with anyone who is looking for support, regardless of where they are from. I enjoy supporting organizations and individuals with career coaching and defining the right approach toward achieving your goals - my background is in Consulting (7 years of Big Four Experience) and 7 years of international experience (Fortune 30) across technology audit, cybersecurity, business, immersive learning for engineers, and career upskilling initiatives that focus on building more inclusive cultures and elevating females and black technologists and engineers.
I enjoy creating transformative and inclusive career experiences for technologists and engineers, and it has brought me industry recognition. In fact, some of the most remarkable and rewarding experiences for me was when I had the opportunities to lead a technology resource group that supports black technologists and engineers from 2020 to Feb 2024. Under my leadership, I grew it 500 to 1600 and supported talent mobility across the company, from call centers to the Technology Centers. I have planned technology conferences where the audience has spanned countries and it was all led by black technologists and engineers.
I especially enjoy partnering with local non-profits focused on increasing diversity in tech and still to this day, my best days are when I can invest in the next generation of tech leaders.
I have been awarded for my work in technology, impact and diversity by Women in Cable and Telecommunications (WICT) Greater Philadelphia in 2024 and Technical.ly Philly's honoree as one of the Most Influential Technologist to Know (2022). I have also been awarded one of two Women of Achievement by my company in 2024.
I have many moments where I reflect fondly on the life I built, but perhaps leading the first all-black executive engineering panel of all female leaders at the Society of Cable Telecommunications & Engineering in 2022 is one of my fondest.
I continue to have a heart that beats for tech and for representation of more black women and men in Technology & Engineering fields through providing community and elevating their brilliant, technical minds.
I believe my life is proof that anything is possible, no matter where you are from, and I believe yours is too.
I am so incredibly thankful for your trust in me as I help to make your dreams come true.
I am glad to know that you are dreaming, and I know you will become.
Of that, I am sure.