The difference between a career coach and a mentor
Most people use coaching and mentoring interchangeably, although the words have different meanings. Let’s look at the differences between them.
You can get understanding, knowledge, and inspiration from both career coaches and mentors. However, they frequently fulfill quite distinct purposes.
Making a career work sometimes requires extra help necessitating the need for career coaching or a mentor. But with people confusing the two terms, deciding which will serve you best might be difficult.
Who is a career coach?
Alongside assisting you in faring better in your current position, career coaches concentrate on keeping you informed about the latest industry news and changes. A career coach’s job is largely performance-based. Career coaches are selected based on their experience in a particular function, and the engagement is brief and does not stress the individual’s entire growth.
According to a recent report, the global mentoring industry is valued at $9.3. Many individuals seek help from career coaches to help steer their paths in the right direction. Individuals seeking a change in careers frequently work with career coaches to achieve this.
Speaking during the summit that led to this report, the human resource manager for Gitnux says “Career coaches serve more as accountability mates and advice consultants for professionals to help them make the improvements they wish to recognize in their career paths.”
A coach might not truly have firsthand knowledge of your industry and might not provide information on what to anticipate in a new job position. They are therefore expected to have a vast knowledge of the industry because this is the only way they can help change your career.
Who is a career mentor?
A career mentor, on the contrary, takes a different approach with their guidance. They focus on not only the individual’s career growth but also personal development tactics that lead to growth. Unlike career coaches, mentors are industry specific, focus on certain employments and prepare consultants for precise roles.
As indicated in an article posted by Talented Ladies Club, they can give perspective on the opportunities and challenges unique to a particular career since they have firsthand experience moving up the corporate ladder.
If you love the sector you work in and aren’t eager to leave, a mentor may be the ideal option to assist you in straightening your career path and establishing benchmarks along the route. A mentor is not the best pick if you want to make a significant shift.
Ultimately, these two categories of professional helpers are used in various scenarios to offer quite different services. Consider what you actually require at this stage of your career before deciding to get a career coach or mentor.
