Career decisions can be difficult enough on their own, add the complexity of the career consultation marketplace, and it starts to seem cruel.
You’ve already noticed that there seem to be no shortage of consultants, counselors, and coaches that offer career services. Because these decisions are so important, it’s worthwhile to know who you’re talking to. In part 1 of Career Consultation 101, we’ll cover the differences between these professionals:
Because these decisions are so important, it’s worthwhile to know who you’re talking to.
Career Coaches (or life coaches): These are individuals that offer career advice based on their experience or prior training that they have received. As a general rule, coaches do not complete a academic program (meaning, that you can’t major in career coaching through most institutions) and are not overseen by a specific professional body. Many programs offer training so that one can become an “accredited career coach”, though these credentials vary in quality. This doesn’t mean that a person who calls themselves a career coach can’t help you. Many career coaches become so because they have specific experience or skill in this area. Many people may also choose to operate as a career coach because they enjoy the flexibility that the term allows. However, this versatility does require more of you as a consumer.
Career Counselors: This is another term which can have a lot of flexibility (similar to coaches). Career counselors can be people who have a lot of career experience or helpful advice, but aren’t overseen by any official body. Counselors can also be licensed psychologists who choose to market themselves as counselors to make it clearer what services they offer.
Licensed Psychologists: These are people who have completed graduate school in psychology and received either their PhD (somewhat more research focused) or PsyD (somewhat more practice focused). They have then completed supervised practice and passed a state licensure exam (and an ethics exam). They are overseen by the board of psychology in their state, to which clients can complain if they have a problem with the services they receive. But not all psychologists receive training in career issues or career assessment, so be sure to ask a potential consultant about their background.
It can seem overwhelming, but as usual, a little homework and the right questions will get you most of the way there.
Now any one of these persons can provide you with excellent service, but you need to ask yourself some questions before signing up. If someone advertises themselves as a “career coach” you can assume that they are at a minimum focused on career issues, but the level of expertise is not as guaranteed. On the other side, the training a licensed psychologist receives tells you they should have some expertise, but you’ll need to look carefully at their materials to make sure they have specialized in career issues.
It can seem overwhelming, but as usual, a little homework and the right questions will get you most of the way there.
Read the rest of the Career Consultation 101 series:
