I started coach training last week. I’m doing the Foundations course from Mentor Coach, a training program aimed at “helping professionals” and rooted in positive psychology. I first heard of Mentor Coach from Karen Shue, whom I met with for coffee one morning a few months back. She only had good things to say about the program and especially the wonderful Mentor Coach community.
One week in means one hour (plus homework) in, so I don’t have too much to report. My teacher for this 31-week course is Ann-Marie McKelvey, a psychotherapist, coach, and Buddhist chaplain. (I’m fascinated by this combination.) The first assignment was to do a phone interview with a fellow student and then write a brief profile to post to the course listserv. Me and my partner did ours last week, and the others are slowly coming in. I’m excited to learn more about the people I’ll be learning with and from over the next several months!
In time, I can see myself working one-on-one and in groups with people transitioning out of academia. I see this as one pillar of my future professional life. We’ll see how things go. In the meantime, wish me luck with all the learning and doing!
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8 responses to “Coach training”
You go, girl!!
thanks! exciting!
good luck to you!
Thanks!
Thanks for sharing your experiences. Best wishes in journey. I’ve been looking into the possibility of coaching. As I am sure you know, there are many options from which choose. The background of your instructor seems intriguing. I still considering options, but a coaching program recommended to me was The Coaching Institute, which is affiliated with the Harvard Medical School.
I looked at CTI, but for me it’s too expensive. With sound training, lots of practice, and my own interest in continuing to learn, I’m confident I can be great at this! (Well, at least I hope, haha.)
Where are you at in your thinking about doing coach training?
Before I take on such an endeavor, I must complete my dissertation in psychology. I expect to complete it within the next 4 to 6 months. As you point out, the cost of a coaching program is surely something to contemplate. I did venture out to Ann-Marie’s website. Given the integration of Zen philosophy, it looks very promising. I look forward to reading about your experiences.
Good luck finishing up! And with what comes next 🙂