This started with helping friends.
Now it’s something more.
First Job Austin began as a way to help people we loved - our kids, their friends, parents returning to work, and professionals figuring out what’s next. What we learned is that the right guidance turns potential into opportunity.
Sam Stevens
Founder
Over the last 10 years of mentoring and coaching, Samantha Stevens has assisted 1000+ clients including new graduates, parents returning to the work force and a variety of people new to Austin - some with no experience - to find a job in Austin. What started as simply a desire to help people she knew personally, quickly snowballed as others learned about Sam's gift to encourage and prepare candidates for that first job interview and successful employment.
Sam is a seasoned business leader with deep experience in commercial real estate and entrepreneurship. She has spent the past decade directing acquisitions, renovations, and leasing for Austin-based real estate ventures, while earlier in her career she managed large-scale leasing operations for The Rouse Company. Beyond real estate, she co-founded Austin Woman Magazine, a monthly publication celebrating women’s achievements across Central Texas, where she contributed to shaping the brand and building a platform for community impact.
Lyndsey Anderson
President & Coach
Lyndsey Anderson is the President and primary career coach at First Job Austin. She teaches job seekers the playbook for creating opportunity, pulling back the curtain on the hiring process to explain the why behind each step. With more than a decade of experience in talent acquisition at high-growth companies like Dropbox, Literati, and Cedar, she knows what it takes to stand out and get hired. At FJA, she helps early-career professionals build confidence, stay accountable, and navigate the job search with clarity and purpose.
When she’s not coaching or advising on hiring strategies, you can find Lyndsey on the pickleball court, walking her dogs, sharing funny videos with her teenagers, or escaping the Texas heat in the Idaho mountains.
What Our Clients Say
"Meeting with Lyndsey was a big turning point in my job search. On our first call, she was honest with me about the market and really listened as I told my story. With her coaching, I gained clarity and landed a terrific new position."
"Samantha genuinely cares about each client’s success. She taught me how to craft a strong cover letter, clean up my resume, and show up to interviews with confidence. Her encouragement and patience made all the difference."