Today we’d like to introduce you to Jackie Otero
Hi Jackie, can you start by introducing yourself? We’d love to learn more about how you got to where you are today?
I’ve worked in higher education for the past 20 years, from a professor to department head to director of online education. During that time, I gained a lot of practice in conflict resolution, working with thousands of students and hundreds of employees. For the last several years, I was also a college conduct officer, facilitating hearings for students who had violated the code of conduct, and trying to help bring them back to a positive place, not simply penalize them. During this time, I also experienced my own divorce and became familiar with family mediation. When my last position was dissolved due to a corporate restructuring, I decided to take the leap, becoming a certified family mediator and launching my own practice. It’s extremely gratifying to have learned from my own experiences and to be able to guide people through the process. My goal is to help people through divorce as amicably as possible, so they can move on to their new lives and not get stuck for years in expensive litigation. I have seen many friends go through it and know that many people are seeking a better way to divorce.
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
Changing careers is never smooth, but it is exciting and exhilarating. One of the main struggles of starting a mediation practice is that I am not an attorney, and I have found that many attorneys who hire mediators for their clients’ cases often hold a bias against non-attorney mediators. I’ve also learned that many attorney mediators prefer not to work with unrepresented clients. I do feel that there is a gap in the market that I can fulfill, working with self-represented couples who want to amicably split while not breaking the bank.
Thanks – so what else should our readers know about Quarter Tone Mediation LLC?
Quarter Tone Mediation is a family mediation service primarily aiming to help people resolve divorce and paternity cases before they get tied up in long, expensive court battles. What I’ve learned is that most people believe there are only two options while getting divorced: either do it yourself or hire an attorney to do it for you. The first option can be inexpensive but very confusing and overwhelming. The second option gives you access to more expertise, but can get expensive and potentially more contentious. My company offers a third option, which is to hire a certified mediator to create your settlement agreement and parenting plan in a neutral, compassionate environment. I help “referee” the case and encourage people to move towards compromise.
Are there any important lessons you’ve learned that you can share with us?
Just because you chose one path when you were 18, or 25, or 40, doesn’t mean you have to stay on that path forever. Let yourself explore new interests and opportunities and see where it takes you. When I was in my 20s, I earned a Master’s degree in music business, and I was always proud that I had jobs connected to that industry. I only recently gave myself permission to let go of that narrow path and explore something totally new, and I’m so happy I did!
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.qtmediation.com
- Instagram: @jackieomediator
- Facebook: https://Facebook.com/jackieomediator
- Youtube: https://YouTube.com/jackieomediator
