Our founder was restless and bored with his job. He was the Chief Executive Officer of a solar energy and conservation company on the coast of Maine. He had recently been commended for excellence by the White House. He had written and been responsible for the passage of legislation that saved thousands of beautiful historic houses from destruction. He had invented a technology that saved countless barrels of oil each winter. His office looked out on a beautiful harbor where lobster boats and fog horns greeted the new day. Yet he had trouble getting through the workday. Even with an extensive background in psychology and eastern philosophy, he had difficulty understanding why his workday should leave so much to be desired.

After investigating the available sources of guidance, he realized that the methods used by most career counselors simply did not produce the results their clients hoped to achieve. Most former clients he interviewed said the counseling was useful but they still did not know for sure what would fit them best. Most had still not decided on a definite new career direction.

With the support and encouragement of R. Buckminster Fuller, Rockport was founded and dedicated to developing more effective ways to help people make career and education choices. Since 1981, Rockport Institute has been a pioneer in developing programs that successfully guide clients through the process of career decision making. These programs consist of clear-cut steps that help clients choose a career that will be highly satisfying, use their talents at the highest possible level, yet be practical and achievable. Rockport programs are available world-wide.

Additionally, we conduct ongoing research and provide advanced training to career coaches and counselors, psychologists, clergy, human resources professionals, life coaches and others who want to be highly effective in helping their clients make the best possible career choices.

We have helped thousands of people from all walks of life: young and old, rich and poor, professionals, artists, students and people reentering the work force. We have had the opportunity to serve as personal career consultants to several national and global leaders, CEOs of three Fortune 500 companies, senior policy makers of four presidential administrations, and people in nearly every field of endeavor. Some clients come to us with a background that includes an extraordinary record of success. Others have found career success elusive because they have been in the wrong field, a less than ideal job, or perhaps have never really settled on one definite career path. All of our clients have one thing in common: a desire for a fulfilling career.

We are practical idealists with an extraordinary record. Rockport's programs have been so effective that nearly 90% of clients who complete our Career Choice Program report that the results they had wanted to achieve have been fully realized. Rockport has been featured in articles appearing in The Washington Post, The Washington Times, The Wall Street Journal, The Los Angeles Times, Business Week, Washington Business Journal, Marie Claire, New Age Magazine, Upscale Magazine, Houston Chronicle, Denver Post, Chicago Sun-Times, Columbus Dispatch, St. Joseph News-Press, Entrepreneur Magazine, Des Moines Register, Las Vegas Review-Journal, and Newsday. We have also been featured in articles appearing in many smaller newspapers and magazines all over the country. The United States Chamber of Commerce broadcast a coast-to-coast television program devoted entirely to presenting our point of view on how to make the very best possible career choices. Our director has been commended for excellence by two U.S. presidents. The knowledge and technology used to produce these extraordinary results are at the heart of Rockport Institute Pathfinder Career Programs.

In a letter to our founder, President Clinton wrote: “I am heartened by your efforts to empower people to lead productive and fulfilling lives... As you well understand, knowing one’s own gifts and talents is a powerful tool for finding work that is challenging and rewarding...The success of this information revolution will ultimately depend on the dedication and commitment of individuals who, like you, care deeply about helping people reach their creative and productive potential. (Your career coaching programs represent) the kind of effort our country needs in order to meet the demands of a global economy.”

We are authors of the national best-selling book, The Pathfinder: How To Choose or Change Your Career For a Lifetime of Satisfaction and Success, published by Simon & Schuster. The Pathfinder was one of very few books in amazon.com history to garner more than twenty consecutive five star reviews.

What is most important to us is our individual clients. Our entire purpose for existing is to help, encourage and support people like you to have lives they love. Unlike many organizations, we do not make management decisions based primarily on appearance, maximum growth and profitability. The number one factor is always a commitment to making a difference in your life at the highest level of service, excellence and integrity.