The Two Biggest Reasons to Become a College Administrator Three Hot Jobs in Education Administration How to Take Advantage of IT Outsourcing With an Education Degree, the World is Your Classroom Three Reasons to Become a Paralegal

Life Coaching: Take My Advice, Please

By Amelia Gray
Learning & Life Columnist
September 22, 2006

Everyone needs a little help sometimes, but when it comes to starting a new business or dealing with a major life change, it may be time to call in the professionals.

According to a recent article in Forbes, professional coaching is one of the hottest new jobs out there; currently an estimated 20% of life and business coaches earn six-figure incomes. For people starting a business, writing a novel, or trying to improve their professional or personal lives, coaches serve as a listening ear and a trained advisor. Coaching can come in the form of e-mails, phone calls, or face-to-face meetings. If you've ever helped a friend going through a challenging time, you might already know how good you are at the art of coaching. To make it your business, however, training could be an important next step.

From Sympathetic Ear to Professional Advisor

Clients go to life or career coaches when facing difficult problems, and it's important to be trained in aspects of counseling and psychology. A degree program might include human psychology, communication skills, career development, and professional identity. If you are training to become a professional coach, the goal is to learn skills in human interaction as well as the details of career psychology.

A skilled life coach will have empathy and an ability to understand and help solve a client's problems and questions. An excellent business coach will use his or her own training or experience with business interaction to confidently advise a client on the details of starting a business or dealing with the demands of a new job.

The Career Coach Experience

Working as a professional coach can be a challenging, exciting experience. As a counselor, you get the chance to be closely involved in an exciting time for your clients, helping them push through the frustrating times and sharing the high points. With the right education, you can take control of your own future as you advise others on how to improve theirs.

Sources

• The Bureau of Labor Statistics
• Forbes.com

About the Author
Amelia Gray is a teacher and freelance writer in San Marcos, TX. Amelia earned a Bachelor's Degree in English Literature from Arizona State University.

More Online Learning Articles

Add to My Favorites

	Location: --- All Locations --- Online ------------------------ Alabama Alaska Arizona Arkansas California Colorado Connecticut Delaware District of Columbia Florida Georgia Hawaii Idaho Illinois Indiana Iowa Kansas Kentucky Louisiana Maine Maryland Massachusetts Michigan Minnesota Mississippi Missouri Montana Nebraska Nevada New Hampshire New Jersey New Mexico New York North Carolina North Dakota Ohio Oklahoma Oregon Pennsylvania Rhode Island South Carolina South Dakota Tennessee Texas Utah Vermont Virginia Washington West Virginia Wisconsin Wyoming Puerto Rico ------------------------ Alberta British Columbia Manitoba New Brunswick Newfoundland Northwest Territories Nova Scotia Nunavut Ontario Prince Edward Island Quebec Saskatchewan Yukon Territory London Degree: --- All Degrees --- Associate Bachelor Master Doctoral Diploma Certificate Coursework Subject: --- All Subjects --- Architecture Arts and Design Beauty and Cosmetology Business Communication and Media Computer Culinary Education Engineering Health and Clinical Legal and Law Enforcement Liberal Arts and Humanities Other Science Social Services Travel and Hospitality Vocational/Technician Program: --- Select a Subject ---

	Associate's (AABA) - Human Resources Associate's (AABA) - Criminal Justice Administration More Programs Digital Design Fashion & Retail Management More Programs AA in Communications AA in General Studies More Programs

	Earn a degree in your own time. Discover your online degree options.