Career coaching is considered as a vital instrument in terms of growth for an individual’s professional life. 

When paving a new career, achieving set goals or adopting new behaviours, career coaches are said to be extremely helpful in offering the right guidance.

Experts share that by partnering with clients, career coaches can help jobseekers brainstorm, clarify their reason for seeking employment, and aid the currently employed with improving their performance in the workforce.

Joan Mugenzi, a life coach expert says when it comes to coaching, experts have the ability to help a person identify their strengths, develop them, and identify personal and professional goals.

Career coaches are  helpful in offering the right guidance. Net photo.

She notes that their role is to assist the coachee throughout the change process and that this happens in different ways.

"Coaching creates the space for people to build on their emotions and flourish. Most people do not like being told what to do or when to do it. Coaches who understand this will build coaching relationships that allow the client to act autonomously,” she says.

This means that the person controls the decision-making process. The coach provides resources and support and nudges as needed, but the coachee is in charge.

Why it’s important

First of all, life coaches can help one clarify their goals, identify the obstacles holding them back and then come up with strategies for overcoming each obstacle.

Peter Minani, a youth mentor in Kigali  says by having a coach, it helps one reach their goals, whether they are seeking entry into a new career or deciding what career to pursue.

Besides, he also points out that working with a coach can help clear the path to success by helping one focus on specific goals and taking meaningful actions to achieve those goals.

He goes on to add that working with such a professional can provide many benefits especially for those looking to enter the workforce, develop job skills or identify their desired career path.

Meanwhile, in an organisation, there are also benefits of working with a coach.

For instance, Francis Mwangi, a lecturer at Mount Kenya University teaching Human resource management says that if a person finds him or herself stuck or unable to figure out their next career move, this is where a career coach comes in to help out.

He says that career coaches offer a safe space for the coachee to practice in newly-acquired soft skills.

Still on a company’s side, Mwangi says the number one benefit to companies is the effect coaching has on their employee turnover rate. When employees receive coaching, they are more likely to remain in the company. This means turnover reduces.

After this, coaching which involves consistent and frequent feedback is crucial. Employees need three things in the workplace: a sense of culture, connection, and contribution 

Mugenzi says the easiest way to do this is through coaching-by line managers and supervisors with the aim of improving productivity and developing individual workers’ skills and their understanding of job requirements.

"At the workplace, the life coach understands the unique skills, abilities, weaknesses, and strengths of their team members. They focus on opening up opportunities for team members to develop their strengths,” she adds.