Career coach - where to start?

[Quhet]

I've come to the realisation that i need to make some wholesale changes in my work life but I have no idea how to make them / what I want to do as an alternative. I think I'd find it really useful speaking with a careers coach/advisor but have no idea where to start or how to find one. I don't want to sign up for anything/commit to paying someone who will basically just give me a load of flannel and not be of any value so can anyone give me any tips/recommendations?

I'm mid 30s, masters degree and earn reasonably. I've always struggled with thinking strategically and am massively self critical so constantly have the feeling that I'm a couple of steps away from massively fking up or not doing something I should be at work which is quite stressful! I want to do something that is more aligned to my strengths - trouble is that I've got no idea what. I don't really see the point in going into everything on here but would really value talking it through with someone so any pointers would be welcomed.

[Mortarboard]

You want a mentor, not a career coach. Even just having a peer level contact to get a second opinion on can be worth it's weight in gold

If you work for a big enough company, they might have an internal mentoring program.

If not, what role/industry/level are you at? PH is a big place.

M.

[Quhet]

Mortarboard said:

You want a mentor, not a career coach. Even just having a peer level contact to get a second opinion on can be worth it's weight in gold

If you work for a big enough company, they might have an internal mentoring program.

If not, what role/industry/level are you at? PH is a big place.

M.

Thanks for your response. I'm not sure a mentor is what's needed though as I want to change career/job type because I don't think I'm suited to the one I'm in and it's beginning to make me miserable. I want counselling or sorts but specially relating to work and for someone to help me identify what I want to do moving forwards and provide advice.

FWIW I'm a development manager at a renewable energy firm. Essentially PMing schemes from site selection through to construction. I'm 6 months into my role having worked 8 years clientside and in consultancy in development/planning before this. I moved from planning as I felt stale and wanted to do something else but I've rapidly found that I feel the same here too. Fundamentally I just don't think I'm suited to this type of role and want something that isn't as desk based.

[wyson]

Call some up and have some initial consultations, see if you are the right fit for each other?

[rog007]

‘Coaching and mentoring are basically the same thing, right?

Wrong!

We often use these two terms interchangeably. But in reality, they refer to two different processes.’

https://www.forbes.com/councils/forbeshumanresourc...

If you’re still looking, please feel free to drop me a note at your convenience and I’ll get straight back to you.

If you’re sorted, good luck!

[Mortarboard]

Quhet said:

Thanks for your response. I'm not sure a mentor is what's needed though as I want to change career/job type because I don't think I'm suited to the one I'm in and it's beginning to make me miserable. I want counselling or sorts but specially relating to work and for someone to help me identify what I want to do moving forwards and provide advice.

FWIW I'm a development manager at a renewable energy firm. Essentially PMing schemes from site selection through to construction. I'm 6 months into my role having worked 8 years clientside and in consultancy in development/planning before this. I moved from planning as I felt stale and wanted to do something else but I've rapidly found that I feel the same here too. Fundamentally I just don't think I'm suited to this type of role and want something that isn't as desk based.

I hear you. I used to run a consultation firm.

Figuring out what you don't like, and what you want are key (captain obvious here).

Yes, career coach should help with foguring out that. And as the poster above says, reach out to some amd see what the response is. Can always get a mentor after that if you wish, and you think it might help to get you where you want to be.

M.

[gangzoom]

Quhet said:

I'm mid 30s, masters degree and earn reasonably. I've always struggled with thinking strategically and am massively self critical so constantly have the feeling that I'm a couple of steps away from massively fking up or not doing something I should be at work which is quite stressful! I want to do something that is more aligned to my strengths - trouble is that I've got no idea what. I don't really see the point in going into everything on here but would really value talking it through with someone so any pointers would be welcomed.

Your peak earning potential is mid 40s so this is the right time to really focus on career development if thats what important to you (note I don't think making more money is necessarily the same thing).

I've never had any paid for coaching but pretty much every year since graduation some 2 decades ago I've been on some kind of formal academic programs (PhD, MsCs (2), and 3 Diplomas). I cannot directly prove it but learning about how to think differently is most likely the reason I now line manage colleagues 2 decades my senior and now not far off having a permanent seat at the Executive board for an organisation that has a £1billion+ turn over.

Amazing mentors is something I've being really lucky to have through our my career, for the last few years I've not had one and it's something I really miss.

So a focus on developing your self (which ever way) I think pays for it self many times over, but just be clear on what you actually want. If you are after more money I would suggest going down the investment/stocks etc route will get you a far better refund, but having an ability to dictate on you spend your time at work is something I really appreciate now that I'm in my 40s, but to enable that you need to be able to break through the glass celling some how, and there is no getting around the fact you need to put extra effort/work in push your self to work outside your comfort zone.

Edited by gangzoom on Wednesday 14th May 06:26

[Quhet]

rog007 said:

‘Coaching and mentoring are basically the same thing, right?

Wrong!

We often use these two terms interchangeably. But in reality, they refer to two different processes.’

https://www.forbes.com/councils/forbeshumanresourc...

If you’re still looking, please feel free to drop me a note at your convenience and I’ll get straight back to you.

If you’re sorted, good luck!

DM sent