About Bluebird College & Career Consulting
Helping students and professionals navigate important decisions about college and career with clarity, confidence, and a thoughtful strategy for the future.
Your Trusted Partner for College Admissions Consulting & Career Coaching
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Bluebird College & Career Consulting, LLC provides personalized college admissions consulting and career coaching for students, families, and professionals navigating important decisions about their future.
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Bluebird CAC was founded to help families and individuals navigate important transitions with clarity and confidence.
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For many families, the college admissions process can feel overwhelming. Students face pressure to make important decisions about academics, extracurricular activities, and future careers. Parents often want to help but may feel unsure how to guide their student through a complex and rapidly changing process.
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Bluebird CAC provides structured guidance that simplifies the journey. Through personalized coaching and thoughtful planning, students gain clarity about their interests and strengths while building a path toward meaningful opportunities.
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The goal is not simply admission to a college or securing a job. The goal is to help students and professionals make thoughtful decisions that support long term growth and success.
The Meaning Behind Bluebird
Bluebirds are often seen as symbols of guidance, optimism, and new beginnings. During times of change, they remind us to stay hopeful and confident about the path ahead.
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Bluebird CAC was founded with that spirit in mind. Major transitions such as choosing a college or navigating a career change can feel uncertain. With the right guidance and support, those transitions become opportunities for growth and discovery.
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Bluebird CAC helps individuals navigate their future with clarity, confidence, and purpose.
Meet Alison McMahon
Alison McMahon brings more than two decades of leadership experience in consulting, financial services, and talent development to her work with students and professionals.
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Before founding Bluebird CAC, Alison spent over twenty years as an executive leader improving business performance and leading cross functional teams in areas including strategy, operations, customer experience, analytics, marketing, and talent development.
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Alison conducted Alumni interviews for Cornell University for over two decades,
Her professional background includes leadership roles in Big 4 consulting, Fortune 100 financial services organizations, and the FinTech sector.
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Throughout her career, Alison developed a strong passion for mentoring and developing young professionals. She spent many years interviewing, hiring, and coaching interns and early career employees. Her leadership experience includes serving as the national campus recruiting lead for the University of Virginia and the University of Maryland for a Big 4 consulting firm, as well as the Business Unit Champion for the Analyst Development Program at a Fortune 100 company.
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This experience gives Alison a unique perspective that connects college planning with long-term career success.​ As a parent of both a college graduate and a current college student, Alison understands the hopes and concerns families experience during the college planning process.
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She founded Bluebird CAC to provide families with the guidance and support she believes every student should have access to as they make important decisions about their future.
Education & Professional Credentials
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University of Pennsylvania, Master of Public Administration
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Cornell University, Bachelor of Science in Economics and Management
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University of California, Berkeley, Graduate Certificate, College Admissions Consulting
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Cornell University, Career Design Fellowship
Professional Associations
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Independent Educational Consultants Association, Associate Member
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Higher Education Consultants Association
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Potomac and Chesapeake Association for College Admissions Counseling
Community & Volunteer Leadership
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Bluebird CAC is deeply connected to the Richmond community.
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Communities in Schools, Chesterfield | Board of Directors
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Partnership for the Future | GUIDES Mentor
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Matchlighters Scholars Program | Volunteer
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Chesterfield County Chamber of Commerce | Member
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National Association of Women Business Owners, Richmond Chapter | Member
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AI Ready RVA | Champion Member
Why Families & Clients Choose Bluebird
1 / Personalized Guidance
Every individual has different strengths, goals, and interests. Bluebird CAC takes time to understand each client and develop a thoughtful plan tailored to their needs.
2 / Real World Career Insight
Alison McMahon’s background in consulting and corporate leadership provides practical insight into how employers evaluate candidates and how students can position themselves for long term success.
3 / Clear & Structured Process
Major decisions can feel overwhelming without a plan. Bluebird CAC provides a structured approach that helps clients stay organized, focused, and confident throughout the process.
4 / Mentorship & Encouragement
Students and professionals benefit from having an experienced advisor who provides guidance, accountability, and encouragement at every stage.
5 / Focus on Long Term Success
The goal is not simply college admission or a job offer. Bluebird CAC helps clients build the skills, experiences, and confidence needed to succeed long after the initial milestone.
Schedule a Free Consultation
Choosing a college, exploring career options, or navigating a professional transition can feel overwhelming without the right guidance.
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Bluebird CAC helps students, families, and professionals move forward with clarity and confidence.
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Schedule a consultation to learn how Bluebird CAC can help you navigate your next step.
