In fact, career coaching for students is the most crucial first step to take when being in the process of entering the current job market. From experience we know that sometimes you slide into a career without even noticing it, which proofs to be great in the beginning and starts to change after several years. You feel frustrated, you feel unsatisfied, the organization does not fit your values and many more. Unfortunately, even if the professional feels that way, they are not prepared to take that leap of faith to change and look for something better for their mental well being.
Why? It is your comfort zone, it is easy, you feel somehow safe, have your paycheck every month. Still, it becomes a torture to go to work. On the long run that might lead to burn out, depression, demotivation and we call it quite quitting. Bear in mind that you will be working for a long time and life is too short to live an unfulfilled professional life. The full professional cycle is explained in my book “Break Free From your Hamster wheel”.
Emphasizing importance of Career Coaching
That’s why it so important to have career coaching upfront prior even deciding where to go, what to do, where to apply for. Career coaching is a personal and individual process and journey, to gain clarity about your goals, understand your strengths and skills and develop strategies to achieve theses goals.
Career coaching involves 1-2-1 sessions where the coach is your guide and architect to create the professional life for you that resonates the most. That’s why it so important to have career coaching upfront prior even deciding where to go, what to do, where to apply for.
Career coaching is a personal and individual process and journey, to gain clarity about your goals, understand your strengths and skills and develop strategies to achieve theses goals. Career coaching involves 1-2-1 sessions where the coach is your guide and architect to create the professional life for you that resonates the most.
6 Reasons Why Consider Career Coaching?
1. Self-discovery
It starts with you. To get to know yourself better, what are your life priorities, your values, your passion and how you can align these with your professional aspirations. Career coaching will assist you to start yours on a solid foundation.
I use always my “Personal Map” methodology, which helps students to explore thyself in a fun and creative manner.
2. Goal setting and action plan
Setting realistic goals, we call them SMART and creating an action plan that you can follow is a crucial step for your success in any profession. A career coach takes you accountable, challenges you and devising s step by step guide for you.
3. Navigating the job Market
Not so easy as said. You need to understand the current landscape of the job market, the trends, new job specifications or skills might be more demanded than before. Career coaches offer insights into the current trends such as AI for example and act as a resource for the students to choose better paths according to their skills and passion.
4. Enhancing employability
Ranging from interview skills. CV, Social Media presence up to personal branding, career coaches equip the students with the tools and techniques to be ready for interviews, elevator pitches and many more according to the needs of the student.
5. Overcoming Challenges
Whether it is decision-making matters, lack of knowledge and direction, fear of failure, a career coach supports, encourages the student to continue and belief in themselves.
6. Networking
The number on success for business and finding a job. A career coach, assists the student to participate on networking meetings, conferences and provides tips on how to network with intention. For that I use my “Networking Wheel” , analysing your entire network, see where are the gaps, whom you might know and can be a sponsor for as well as I let my clients always create their own “Board of Directors” to see what they an give and get back in return which would help the student to move forward.
Conclusion
The benefits of career coaching extend beyond career planning, it is quipping you with the skills you need to live a fulfilled life. It fosters life-long adaptability, self realization and proactive career management and moreover believing in yourself.
It is about empowering young individuals to take control over your career path. You are the CEO of your career and you are behind the steering wheel. Career coaching is a process and vehicle for young professionals to start their life on strong foundation, taking informative decisions and helping students to navigate theirs’s on their own terms with purpose and meaning.
My Drive and Thrive Career workbook Might be a great start to explore your own decisions.