What does an education and career coach do?

Are you unsure of the next steps in your life’s journey? 

As a young adult, reflecting on your future should be a priority.

An Education and Career Coach provides a listening ear and asks pertinent questions that facilitate this reflection.

Education and Career Coach

Clients who benefit from this type of support come from different backgrounds. They are students looking for volunteer opportunities to identify their interests. They are young adults who need help defining their path. Or they are students-in-transit looking to enter the workforce after completing high school or university. An Education and Career Coach (ECC) is their cheerleader and greatest supporter who helps them envision their future.

While you, as their clients, may be looking to narrow down your choices, your needs are unique to you. The ECC’s role is to actively listen and provide questions that guide you to successfully create, explore and envision your career story.

Initial Consultation

The coaching process should start with a consultation. The purpose of this consultation is twofold. It is an opportunity for you (the Client) to meet and decide if the ECC’s expertise, experience, and style of coaching matches the approach you are seeking. The same goes for the ECC who will decide whether or not he or she can provide you with the service you are seeking. 

Ensuring compatibility on both sides is crucial so make sure that you ask questions until you feel that your concerns are truly understood. A respectable coach will understand and will have no problem handling your questions.

​Services

What happens next will depend on the number of sessions that you and your ECC decide are right for you. Services are promoted either as one session/multiple sessions or as specific coaching packages that include one or more services. A single session helps you clarify a specific concern. Another option is a 12-months package where the ECC becomes your guide and accountability partner supporting you as you transition from uncertainty to clarity. You schedule monthly/biweekly meetings and together you use this time to envision your exploratory journey to self-knowledge, industry knowledge and career success. ​

Pros of Hiring an ECC

An ECC believes in your ability to succeed.

The ECC is charging you to share professional experience and expertise usually accumulated over several years. Do your due diligence, research and check that this information is true. In return for your money, the ECC commits to guide you by offering personalized services and feedback that will clarify your next move. This will save you a lot of time and ensure that you will clearly receive the following pros:

• Self-Knowledge: Typically, your coaching services will start with some sort of assessment. Ask questions to ensure that you understand the assessment used and its value for understanding your beliefs, experiences, abilities/skills, values and interests or BEAVI© as I like to call it. This information facilitates your self-knowledge reflection, a necessary step for
  career success.
• Accountability: Paying for ECC services that include regular check-ins will ensure that you remain invested in your process of reflection on who you are and whom you would like to be as well as in your exploration as you design your vision and work towards accomplishing it. The idea that you have to report back to your ECC and provide updates will motivate you to move forward with confidence and full presence.
• Second Eyes: Whether you choose a one-time service or a several months package, an ECC is your second set of eyes on your education and career progress providing you with feedback on how to enhance your profile for now and the future.

​Cons of Hiring an ECC

As in all types coaching, your success lies in your willingness to invest your money, time and effort in a collaborative adventure with your ECC.

• Money: Cost will vary depending on the ECC experience and qualifications. It can be prohibitive for some, particularly if you need more than one session, but it is a sure-fire of ensuring your commitment to your career.
• Time: You invested your money in an ECC services fees, now you need to put in the time. Scheduling time to reflect on your path should be your priority. The ECC expects that you will schedule time to prepare for your next session together. This preparation is not for the sake of the ECC but for you to benefit from the money you paid. If you do not have an hour or two a week, then paying for the services of an ECC may be a waste of your money.
• Effort: You have paid the money, scheduled the time and now what? It is time to get engaged in the assessments and activities requested by the ECC. The ECC does not provide homework but rather assignments that are meant to help you unravel your next move.

With this commitment, your success is guaranteed.

Summary

Consider your reasons for wanting to work with an ECC. Reflect on the time you can commit to attend your sessions and work on assignments. If you decide that working with a coach is for you, prioritize your most productive hours to invest all your energy in your commitment to your ECC.

Remember that you and your needs are unique so take the time to ensure a good fit between you and your chosen ECC. Reach out to two or three coaches to learn about the different services, the cost and the coach.
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Are you ready to reflect on your journey? Let’s chat!

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I am Hoda Kilani, your Education and Career Coach. I provide you with the latest strategies to innovatively craft your career journey your way.