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4
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Career coaching
Coaching is a great tool that can support you in your own career exploration. Here we define what coaching is and isn't.
- What is it?
- What isn't it?
- How does it work?
What is career coaching?
Career coaching is a structured, goal-oriented process but that doesn’t mean you need to have a clear goal when you begin. Some people arrive knowing exactly what they want to work on; others come feeling stuck or uncertain, and the coaching space helps them explore and co-create meaningful, relevant goals over time. In fact, feeling unsure or wanting clarity is one of the most common and valid starting points. There’s no ‘right’ way to begin, just your way.
Career coaching helps you explore options, build strategies, and make informed decisions about your professional future within or beyond academia. It is a non-directive developmental approach that places you in control of the process, empowering you to set the agenda and determine the direction of your growth.
The group coaching helped me to assess my career goals and devise a career plan.
Postdoc in Physical and Environmental Sciences
What is a career coach?
A career coach is someone who supports you to clarify your goals and work towards them. They are a keen questioner and listener who will enable you to fully explore your options and ideas.
Does career coaching happen in a group or one-to-one?
Sometimes in coaching you hear things which perhaps challenge my current 'status quo' but I have learnt to be comfortable with that and know that ultimately hearing a different perspective could help me to grow and achieve by career goals and aspirations.
Postdoc in Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences
Career coaching can occur in one-to-one and group settings.
Experiencing career coaching in a group allows for shared experiences, peer support and collaborative learning. It’s a great opportunity to gain diverse perspectives and build a supportive network.
How does self-directed career coaching work?
Career coaching is typically done with an individual trained in coaching skills. However, such individuals are not always available. This is where our self-coaching resources can be used to support your career development.
The materials have been created by a skilled professional career coach and are designed to empower and support you in your personal career journey.
What career coaching is not
Career coaching is not the same as career advising, counselling or mentoring, as these all typically involve advice being given.
What is the difference between career coaching and mentoring?
While both career coaching and mentoring support professional development and require active engagement from the individual, they differ in some key ways.
In contrast to a career coach, a mentor is, typically, a more experienced colleague who shares their knowledge, insights and experience. Mentors can also become advocates for you, within your organisation or sector.
Typical key differences between career coaching and mentoring;
| Career coaching | Mentoring | |
| Relationship | Professional | Personal, evolving |
| Approach | Non-directive, coaching techniques used | Sector/Organisation/Role experience, insight and advice sharing |
| Duration | Defined period of time (short to medium term) | Long term |
| Goal | Specific outcome/s | Long-term development |
Links for further information
The Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development page on coaching and mentoring https://www.cipd.org/uk/knowledge/factsheets/coaching-mentoring-factsheet/
Indeed’s pages on the key differences and benefits of coaching and mentoring https://uk.indeed.com/career-advice/career-development/mentoring-vs-coaching
Why coaching is valuable https://uk.indeed.com/career-advice/career-development/career-coaching
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