Building Influence at Every Career Stage: A Conversation with Career Coach Katherine Cook

Building Influence and Navigating Career Growth with Katherine Cook

In this episode of The Two Piers Podcast, host Erica D’Eramo sits down with Katherine Cook, a career coach who helps engineers rethink their career paths, build influence, and navigate corporate environments more effectively. Drawing from her own journey from engineering to technical marketing, product management, and ultimately coaching, Katherine shares practical and candid insights into what it really takes to grow your career—at any stage.

What We Cover in This Episode

• Katherine’s unexpected shift from engineering into coaching—and the spreadsheet that started it all
• Why understanding your “why” makes career decisions clearer (and less terrifying)
• How to assess risk realistically using worst-case scenario planning
• Why networking feels uncomfortable for many engineers
• Practical, low-pressure ways to build meaningful professional relationships
• The role of networking in job mobility and career advancement (hint: it’s bigger than you think)
• The unique challenges Black women face in corporate America—and how diverse networks can help
• How resilience, curiosity, and strategic relationship-building shape long-term career success
• Why corporate America isn’t a meritocracy—and what to do with that truth

Key Takeaways

• Your career path doesn’t need to be linear; it needs to be intentional.
• Networking isn’t about small talk at happy hours—it’s simply building genuine relationships.
• Most career opportunities come through people, not job postings.
• Being effective in your role is important, but managing yourself and your relationships is essential.
• You can influence your career trajectory more than you think—especially when you understand the landscape you’re operating in.

About Our Guest

Katherine Cook is a career coach who specializes in helping engineers identify their strengths, navigate transitions, and build fulfilling careers. She brings a structured, pragmatic approach rooted in her technical background, combined with deep experience supporting professionals in complex corporate environments.

Connect with Katherine:

• Katherine Cook Coaching
• LinkedIn