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Career Coaching Programme

You may be studying without a thought about your future career. Maybe you have a mental block about what to do next in your career planning. Something in your home or social life could be holding you back from exploring your career options. If any of these situations resonate with you, then talking to a professional career coach could enable you to take your next steps with confidence and clarity.

What is Career Coaching?

The Career Coaching Programme offers current Birkbeck students up to six free one-hour sessions with a professional career coach. The sessions will enable you to develop your career in a safe, non-judgemental environment in various ways such as:

  • identifying a career development path by creating a series of meaningful goals
  • overcoming any issues that could be having an impact on your work-life
  • exploring your mindset to encourage self-reflection and personal growth
  • uncovering your values and beliefs so you can better understand what motivates you
  • raising your confidence levels to help overcome any barriers that are holding you back
  • building resilience to help you navigate any challenges you may face
  • developing accountability for your progress and celebrating your achievements.

What career coaching is not

  • Your career coach will not give you advice and guidance. Instead, their role is to support and enable you to create your own career goals that you will be accountable for achieving.
  • A career coach is not a therapist or a mentor. Their primary focus will be on your future career concerns and goals. If you feel you would benefit from talking to someone about personal issues in your past and present instead, please contact our Wellbeing Service.

The Coaches

  • The career coaches have professional experience across a wide range of industries and sectors. Some have their own coaching practice. All coaches have been, or are on, the MSc in Career Coaching. Upon completion, this course meets the qualification requirements for entry to the UK Register of Career Development Professionals (sector equivalent of Chartered Status).
  • Coaches on the programme offer the highest possible levels of confidentiality, respecting your privacy and creating the necessary trust for effective coaching.
  • Your consent to collect and record information and share your data in line with GDPR legislation will be required to undertake the programme.

How to apply and eligibility

  • You can apply if you are a current student at Birkbeck and have not undertaken the programme before. Students with 'Exams only' status are not eligible to apply.
  • Students must remain enrolled for every scheduled coaching session or until July of the current academic year.
  • You can apply from September onwards using the online form. Where demand is high, the programme will be closed and you will be placed on a waiting list.
  • Once received, your application will be assessed as to whether career coaching or another route is the most appropriate for you. You will be contacted with the outcome either way.
  • If you have any questions, please email the Career Coaching Programme team.