Transforming career decisions so every person can discover their dream career
The decision-making process for careers should be more precise and methodical than choosing a new washing machine. Yet too often, it isn’t. Then we wonder why so many people are unfulfilled, unmotivated, and unsuccessful at work.
We’re here to change that.
Our mission
To transform the career decision process; replacing the guesswork, confusion, and uncertainty with our whole-person, science-based career design method, helping our clients achieve the clarity and confidence they need to choose a career where they can thrive.
Our vision
We’re here to create a world where everyone wakes up excited for the day, ready for a job that suits their talents, fits their personality, and provides them with an opportunity to succeed, thrive and bring their unique gifts to the universe.
Our story
In 1979, Nicholas Lore had a career crisis. On the outside, he had achieved it all. A prestigious job as the chief executive officer of a solar energy and conservation company on the coast of Maine. A deeper purpose after he invented a technology that saved countless barrels of oil each winter.
Despite his apparent success, he had trouble getting through the workday. He had no idea why his career should leave so much to be desired.
He looked for professional career counselors. Talked to their clients.
After countless conversations, he realized that the available career guidance was archaic and ineffective. Most career assistance was (and still is today) prescriptive: you would take some assessments or talk to a counselor and they would prescribe a list of fitting jobs or give you some advice.
There were no tools available that could give clients certainty about their specific future career paths.
Astonished that the career decision process was as precise and advanced as 16th-century surgery, Nicholas decided to change it.
Encouraged by a mentor, R. Buckminster Fuller, he founded Rockport Institute in 1981 and dedicated it to developing more scientific, effective ways to guide people through their career choice process.
He studied the latest research on cognitive abilities. He consulted with professors. He developed the Pathfinder Aptitude Assessment, an objective, reliable method to assess cognitive abilities.
He put it all together in the Pathfinder Career Design Method, an effective way to help clients choose a career that will be highly satisfying, deeply meaningful and completely achievable.
Since its founding, the Rockport Institute has established a reputation for its uniquely effective and successful career guidance method, significantly impacting the lives of over 40,000 clients.
Today, Rockport continues to grow its impact, offering data-based career guidance services and setting benchmarks in whole-person, science-based career decision-making support.
Personal message from our founder Nicholas Lore: the pioneer of career coaching
The Pathfinder
Based on breakthrough techniques developed by Rockport Institute, this best-selling book coaches you through the career design methodology taught at Stanford. The Pathfinder takes you step-by-step through your own career design project that leads to making a career choice for both fulfillment and maximum success. It provides invaluable advice and dozens of self-administered tests and diagnostic tools that will help you choose an entirely new career -or a change within your field.
Relied on by high school graduates, college students, entrepreneurs, HR professionals, and executives worldwide