Career change - Coaching qualification

[Softcookie]

Not sure this is the best place to post this but it seemed to be my best bet.
Bit of background: I'm 39, have worked in various parts of financial services all my professional life, had to readjust career trajectory quite a bit following an international relocation. Currently doing reasonably well, good job, good salary, but long stressful hours and a lingering and growing feeling that I'm meant to be doing something else with my life... Though I have never been able to figure out exactly who I am or what I want. I've been trough periods of horrible stress and burnout, been on antidepressants etc, but now doing quite well which is why I want to actually do something to "unblock" myself and start working towards a career change.

My kids are 9 and 7 and I want to be around more for them as they enter adolescence - currently I'm gone from 7:30 till 7, 5 days a week which is not ideal, even though we're very lucky so far to have excellent childcare arrangements.

Aaaaanyway. I've been really drawn to the idea of doing a coaching qualification, and I've found a course that sounds exactly what id like to invest some time and energy in (it's a coactive coaching qualification). I can do this while in work by using a few days leave.... Trouble is I'm not quite sure I want to become a coach... And I'm not 100% sure what kind of work it might lead to.

I just feel I need to take a first step or I'll be stuck forever!

Thoughts, experiences, words of warning or advice...?

Thank you so much in advance!

I've done a coaching qualification with The Coaching Academy. They also offer a free two day course so you can get a taste for what coaching is about and whether it's the right option to invest in. What is it about doing a coaching qualification that appeals?

I LOVE my coaching work ... when I first started, I didn't know where I would end up - I started coaching non-lawyers in law firms as that was my background, but coached women throughout my training and now I specialise in helping women who've taken a career break and want to figure out what next. Have you talked to any coaches to find out what they do and what they love about their work to see if it might sound a good fit for you? I'd be happy to chat to you.

Coaching is such a wide field now - I've met coaches who specialise in everything you can possibly think of: career, confidence, horse riding, women in finance, single mums, survivors of domestic abuse. The great thing about coaching when you have a family, if you run your own business - it's the flexibility. My children were similar age when I first trained and like you I wanted to around more when they reached adolescence. I work during the day and I work a couple of evenings a week. But it means for my youngest still at primary, I'm mostly there for the school drop-off and pick-up. And I'm normally at home when my eldest at secondary gets home and so available to support with homework.

happy to chat offline.

I've been so close to starting this thread so many times.

I've said about 10 years that is like to be a life coach, but someone put me off by saying it wasn't a proper job and that there wasn't any standardised qualifications or training.

When I've finished having babies I'd like to look into it again as I won't be able to go back to what I'm doing now.

Really interested to see what other responses you get OP.

thanks both for answering, SherryB in particular - glad to know I'm not too old!

I've been looking at a CTI qualification, which is basically 5 modules over 5 weekends. At the end of it, you can start coaching, and need to commit to a certain number of hours of coaching to become a certified coach.

I'll be honest - i don't really know where this may lead. but i'm so stuck and dissatisfied, not miserable exactly, but definitely needing to do something different.

I'm not happy with my lifestyle and the constant running running running, constantly planning, juggling two diaries, feeling my children's childhood slipping away...

I've told work I want to do this and if they can give me some extra days leave - waiting to hear back from them.

I too have been considering this, particularly doing the free Coaching Academy course. I started a thread a while ago specifically about that course and apparently they do try to sell you their paying course at the end but in itself it's worth doing the free one.

Softcookie would you mind sharing the details of the course you're considering?

Sorry not to actually help, but know you're not alone in considering it, and I'm almost 43 so I hope you're not too old!

Love your name clairedunphy though I'm more of a Phil girl myself :)

This is the course I'm looking at:

www.thecoaches.com

OP, this resonates with me so much, in fact I've started threads on it in the past. Like you I'm also stuck and dissatisfied but I'm definitely miserable in my current job . I've been desperate to train as a coach for several years but the thought of not making any money when qualified scares me, as I'm the only breadwinner. However I'm so sick of my current job, and of not being there enough for DS, that I'm currently looking seriously into Life Coaching training courses. I want one that's ICF accredited, and preferably by distance leaning (I'm a single parent so it's hard to find childcare to attend training days at weekends).

What's a CTI qualification? Not heard of that one.

Thanks softcookie, I'll have a look at that. And yes, I think I must covet the Dunphy life, in my head I could be like Claire and have Phil with all his oddities. In reality we're much duller in this house...!

SoftKitty (loving that name too!), I'm completely with you in terms of worrying about not actually making any money. I've been procrastinating about doing this for years now, I keep chickening out but think that if I can at least find the time for the free course that would be a start.

Hi - I just wanted to give me experience so far :) I'm doing a masters in career coaching as a career change. I absolutely love it. Really interesting and the actual coaching is so rewarding. It's very solution focused so clients seem to move forward and get a lot out of the sessions.

I'm building up private clients but as it's a career coaching qualification it opens job opportunities up in careers departments in uni's and colleges etc. Its also accredited by CDI. Coaching seems to slowly be replacing career advising/counselling so it's a masters with good prospects. It's only a couple of teaching days evey 3 weeks in London.

I recommend getting your own coach as well. Let me know if you have any questions about the course or career coaching in general. Good luck!

Hi apple, that's really interesting and encouraging that you think it's a good route to follow. What is your background, did you work in a related field before or is this a complete change? And who is your MA with? Thanks.

Do the free course! What have you got to lose. Honestly I retrained at the grand old age of 49! If I can do it, so can you.

Hi again, I'll pm you.

Op, sounds like you need a coach rather than necessarily becoming one (not that I think you should discount becoming one)!

Might it not be worth doing it from the other side (ie be coached) to a) get some clarity on your own situation and b) understand more about the process.

The 2 day courses are great btw. I seriously considered doing it but after watching a family member totally steal the idea from me and then struggle to drum up any clients I was kind of glad I hadn't made the jump.

Might look into it in the future though as I do like the idea, but right now going self-employed isn't secure enough for us. Plus also if it is taking off a bit after, IMO it being seen as a bit of a gimmick, I'd prefer to wait until the wider world sees it a bit more seriously.

Free Personal Coaching sessions.
Hi, I'm currently training to be a Personal Coach with The Coaching Academy and would like to offer coaching sessions, as part of my training, to anybody who requires support with personal change - whether this be in the areas of getting back to work, career change, health, fitness, or any other area that would have a positive impact on people's happiness and wellbeing. Coaching sessions will be conducted over the phone at a mutually convenient time. If you would like more information please email me on [email protected]

This is an interesting read as I am a qualified Careers Adviser & member of the CDI. I worked as a CA with 13-19s & FE students for almost 12 years, but eventually left for a job nearer home due to miscarriage last year as I was commuting 4 hours a day for 3.5 years. Now have 5 week old & on Mat Leave from Admissions job in uni. Considering setting up as self-employed CA once have been back long enough to not pay Mat pay back. Nervous about it tho in case of lack of clients; but seems shame not to try if unhappy in current role.

Recommend everyone get proper Careers Advice from professionally qualified CA tho, before decision-making. Check for one wiv CDI or go to uni or national careers service adviser at an FE college as may be free of charge.

Think MA Career Counselling must be at Birkbeck? Friend studied this & works for Uni of Creative Arts as CA now. Diff to get these jobs unless you have an MA tho, so self-employed coach may be cheaper training option. Have considered MA myself, but the cost is too expensive.

I have worked with two coaches. The first was a casual acquaintance who offered to coach me as part of their training during a period when I was a somewhat frustrated SAHM. The second was a business coach who coaches me in my current role as an "executive leader".

The difference between them was night and day in terms of both my experience and the value they added. I continue to work with the latter coach and find it a tremendously positive experience.

I would agree that it sounds like you need a coach rather than should become one in the first instance.

Then I'd think carefully about whether the skills and experience you have gained from your previous/current roles provide you with requisite level of credibility for the type of coaching you want to do. Most coaches are self employed (even if they work under the umbrella of a consultancy) so assess whether you think you can make it work in advance.

Hello all - I've signed up for the introductory weekend course - it's in 3 weeks. Will assess after that whether I continue with the whole program!

Looking forward to it though it'll be something different :)

I attended that introductory course a couple of years ago and it inspired me to become a coach, but worried about not having enough clients to pay the bills so did nothing more about it (single mother with 3 children).
Earlier this year I found an accredited coach who coached me for free to enable her to build up her coaching hours to reach the next level of accreditation (she normally charges £750/hour!). I've done an executive coaching course with Cambridge Uni and I've now reduced my hours at work and am writing my business plan and choosing a coaching course (The sector will become regulated before too long so look for an accredited course). I agree that the best thing to do first is find your own coach - they'll help you decide goals and actions.
I've spoken to a number of coaches and all love their work. (BTW I'm 42, most coaches qualify in their late 30's or older - a bit of life experience is important). Becoming self-employed is always a risk - but one worth taking for something you believe in and love!

Hi there! I'm similar to some of the previous posters in that I did an MSc Occupational Psychology at Birkbeck and work as a career coach. They also offer a more careers-focused MSc which is also fab. I hope this helps to partly answer the 'what do people do?' aspects.

My question is to those of you who did The Coaching Academy programme - did any of you do the Corporate and Executive programme? If so, did you enjoy it, how long did it take? Or know anyone who did it? There are a lot of coaching training providers out there so want to make the best choice - as it's not cheap!

I did the Corporate & Executive programme - I paid for it at the same time as the Personal Performance Diploma so got an added discount. Plus 10 CPD days included. I did enjoy it and found it very helpful. The accelerator days (study days) tend to be between 20-30 people per session. Most come from a corporate background themselves but not all. The Corporate study days are on a Sunday. I made great contacts through the course and did a couple of joint ventures with people who worked similar environment.

Thank you SherryRB, that's very useful. I already work FT so can only commit to doing one - did they offer you discounts for being self-funded as well?

Possibly ... to be honest I don't recall because it was three years ago that I started. The Corp & Exec programme assumes you know 'how' to coach. It doesn't teach you coaching but the assessments and written thesis at the end will expect you to demonstrate coaching experience and knowledge. The Corp & Exec programme covers modules including Change Management, Team Coaching, Leadership Coaching, Practicalities i.e. how you need to contract differently compared to coaching an individual. There are 6 modules in total. I hope that helps.

Hey SoftCookie. I am curious - did you end up completing the course?

I did with the company you linked to and am now on the certification course as I plan to work with companies for more money so that I can work with individuals for less :)

CTI is a great coaching school and the skills you learn are useful in all walks of life.

PM me if you'd like to chat about 'the journey'