If you are feeling stuck or just unsure of what to do next in your career, working with a mentor or coach can be a transformative experience, unlocking new ideas and providing the necessary nudge you need to move in a new direction. 

A mentor is someone who can guide you, often from within the industry in which you seek career advancement (but not always), providing insight and advice and opening doors to new opportunities. Mentors are generally individuals whose career trajectory you admire and who have taken a personal interest in you and your success. 

Coaches are professionals whom you hire to help you identify your goals and create a plan for achieving them. They then work with you as you execute the plan to keep you on track.

Both can play an impactful role, and they are not mutually exclusive. You can have more than one mentor, and you can employ mentors and coaches simultaneously to support your career growth.

There are many benefits to partnering with someone on your career journey, including:

Skill and Knowledge Development

Coaches and mentors, with their extensive experience and expertise, can help you identify the skills you need to take the next step on your professional path. In addition to being great sources of training themselves, they can guide you toward other educational resources that will help you grow your knowledge and skills.

Career Advancement

Mentors can provide industry-specific insights, serve as advocates for you, open doors to new opportunities, and help you build your professional network. 

Coaches, on the other hand, focus on enhancing your skillset and addressing any gaps in your training or abilities critical to climbing the career ladder. They provide objective feedback that helps you recognize your weaknesses, build on your strengths, and make yourself more competitive in the workplace.

Accountability and Motivation

The best mentors and coaches will check in regularly, review your progress with you, help you stay focused and committed, celebrate your successes, and hold you accountable. Their honesty is a crucial component to your success. Telling you you’re doing great when they know – and you know – you are backsliding is not going to help you achieve your goals. Honest feedback can still be kind, but it is critical that they share truthful assessments of your progress, or lack thereof, to keep your momentum going.

Whether in your personal or professional life, the guidance and support of a mentor or coach can be a catalyst for significant growth and the building of a more fulfilling life.