Times of transition can be down right scary. Treading into unknown territory or uncharted waters carries with it a vulnerability that comes from not knowing exactly what you are getting in to. Changing careers, taking a relationship to the next level of commitment, or transferring to a new city can all have a stressful impact on a person, and it is during these transitions that we look toward our coaches and mentors for guidance.
It just so happens I am exploring opportunities outside of the Navy. I have nine months left to either make a career change or reenlist for a few more years. I am learning that there is a wealth of knowledge accumulated by a lot of people who have tremendous experiences dealing with this type of change, and it is through their guidance that I can keep from buckling under the pressure and continuing on with a creed I am not content with. This week's blog is going to identify the differences of coaches and mentors, how I use both of them in my quest for new employment, and why we need them to grow as an individual.
The first thing I began to do when considering a new career path is to find an industry that appealed to me. I want to enjoy what I do for a living and be challenged. As I start considering this industry or that I begin my research to find out a little more by making a connection with someone I know in that field (or close to it). Thankfully, social media like Facebook and LinkedIN provide a sea of contacts I have made along the way to help me find someone who can help. I want to find someone who can share with me a better idea of what I might be getting involved in. I need to learn the basic rules of the game in the oil and gas industry, or gain some insight to working in airport management. Whatever field I am looking in to it makes all the sense in the world to seek out someone who is knowledgable and can guide me in my quest. This is a mentor.
Once I have a better idea of a particular field if interest I need to start preparing myself to market my experiences, skills, and abilities. There are a million ways to build a resume, cover letters, and reference lists. I need someone to help me accomplish my short term goals and tasks so I have the best opportunity to get noticed in a brand new arena. I have taken a few webinars on resume building and interview pointers. I read a few books and marketing myself. I have passed on some rough drafts to some trusted folks who have chopped and tweaked my resumes to highlight my attributes. All of these resources I have tapped into have helped me prepare for the game of finding a new job within a specific industry (or at least get a few interviews). This is coaching.
Understanding how to use mentors and coaches to the absolute best can be the difference between success and failure. Everyone needs a little outside guidance to fine tune ourselves. The best athletes in the world rely heavily on their coaches for continued improvement. Above all else, having and utilizing coaches and mentors reminds us we have support. We are not alone in new and uncharted waters. We have network of people with a wealth of knowledge and experiences that can shorten our learning curves and help us to avoid set-backs from making mistakes. I am very grateful to have so many wonderful people to ask questions, get feed back, and map out my vision for a brighter future.
JP
It just so happens I am exploring opportunities outside of the Navy. I have nine months left to either make a career change or reenlist for a few more years. I am learning that there is a wealth of knowledge accumulated by a lot of people who have tremendous experiences dealing with this type of change, and it is through their guidance that I can keep from buckling under the pressure and continuing on with a creed I am not content with. This week's blog is going to identify the differences of coaches and mentors, how I use both of them in my quest for new employment, and why we need them to grow as an individual.
The first thing I began to do when considering a new career path is to find an industry that appealed to me. I want to enjoy what I do for a living and be challenged. As I start considering this industry or that I begin my research to find out a little more by making a connection with someone I know in that field (or close to it). Thankfully, social media like Facebook and LinkedIN provide a sea of contacts I have made along the way to help me find someone who can help. I want to find someone who can share with me a better idea of what I might be getting involved in. I need to learn the basic rules of the game in the oil and gas industry, or gain some insight to working in airport management. Whatever field I am looking in to it makes all the sense in the world to seek out someone who is knowledgable and can guide me in my quest. This is a mentor.
Once I have a better idea of a particular field if interest I need to start preparing myself to market my experiences, skills, and abilities. There are a million ways to build a resume, cover letters, and reference lists. I need someone to help me accomplish my short term goals and tasks so I have the best opportunity to get noticed in a brand new arena. I have taken a few webinars on resume building and interview pointers. I read a few books and marketing myself. I have passed on some rough drafts to some trusted folks who have chopped and tweaked my resumes to highlight my attributes. All of these resources I have tapped into have helped me prepare for the game of finding a new job within a specific industry (or at least get a few interviews). This is coaching.
Understanding how to use mentors and coaches to the absolute best can be the difference between success and failure. Everyone needs a little outside guidance to fine tune ourselves. The best athletes in the world rely heavily on their coaches for continued improvement. Above all else, having and utilizing coaches and mentors reminds us we have support. We are not alone in new and uncharted waters. We have network of people with a wealth of knowledge and experiences that can shorten our learning curves and help us to avoid set-backs from making mistakes. I am very grateful to have so many wonderful people to ask questions, get feed back, and map out my vision for a brighter future.
JP
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