Why a career mentor-coach?

I am sometimes asked, why a career mentor-coach?  Why not just a career coach?  Or just a mentor?

That’s a good question.  Let’s define a career coach and a mentor first.

To me, a career coach is typically someone with a psychology or other educational degree that knows how people behave.  They have the academic background, certifications and theories that can help guide someone based on the extensive research out there.  The challenge for career coaches is that they spend their days coaching others, but have not necessarily ever gone through the actual working conditions and situations to which they are providing the advice, and rely on data and the information of others to make their recommendations.

Conversely, a mentor has the work experience and has been in the trenches with stories to share and advice to provide based on what worked for them.  The challenge for mentors is that they share guidance based on their experiences which might not be reflective of your specific situation.

So a career mentor-coach combines the best of both worlds by having a mentor who has “been there and done that” AND also has the vast amounts of behavioural and career research out there that reflects more than just their limited experience.

Does everyone need a career mentor-coach?

The answer is no.  But there are a lot of people that would benefit from a career mentor-coach.

Some people are great with directions and don’t need a map; Others would be lost without a GPS.  Some people have the motivation to exercise times per week; Others need a personal trainer to make them accountable for heading to the gym.  So if you’re lost on your career journey, think of a career mentor-coach as a GPS for your career; or if you don’t have the motivation to get more out of your job, then think of a career mentor-coach as a personal trainer for your career.

If you aren’t sure whether you need a career mentor-coach ask yourself:

• Do you know what you want to do with your degree?
• Do you know where you want to take your career?
• Do you know how to reach your career potential?
• Are you comfortable with the job search process to step you forward in your career?
• Have you spent time in the last year taking an honest look at your career?

If the answer is No to any of these questions, then you’ll want to consider a career mentor-coach or at least a career coach.

ABOUT FOCUS inspired

We are career catalysts looking to initiate the reactions that would not have otherwise happened towards your career success. “Personal trainers for your career” helping you turn knowledge into results!