New Beginnings
Happy New Year! As we leave 2020 behind and jump head-first into a promising new year, I can’t think of a better time to share some exciting news: I recently became a board-certified coach!
I’ve been working in higher education for almost 20 years, including 18 as a faculty member and 10 as an administrator. This past year was challenging to say the least but it also allowed some time for reflection. As I was working from home, away from students and colleagues, it became abundantly clear to me how much I miss working with people. It certainly includes the informal hallway chats and impromptu office visits, but of course, it’s much deeper than that. I love helping people grow and by doing so, growing with them.
One way to do that is through coaching. Coaching is a partnership between a coach and a client. The purpose is to maximize the client’s personal and professional potential and to help them build the life of their dreams. It’s rooted in positive psychology but is distinctly different from therapy. Coaching helps functioning individuals transform into higher functioning individuals using their strengths and focusing on the future. As coaches, we know that the client already has all of the answers but may not be able to see his or her own patterns and possibilities. It’s our job to unleash their insight and to hold them accountable for their actions so that they can reach their goals (Williams, n.d.).
The reason I was drawn to coaching is because I’ve seen many faculty struggle in the higher education space, which is so different from the private sector. Whether faculty are on the tenure-track or in a clinical role, it’s challenging to find one’s place in the academy and to do it authentically. I’ve seen vast amounts of time and effort spent on developing and teaching courses, establishing cutting-edge research agendas, finding funding to support said research, and participating in service activities that can drain anyone’s batteries in a hurry. There’s enormous pressure to perform well and show results, and often our private life takes a seat way in the back. Coaching focuses on the whole person instead of an isolated problem that needs to be solved. It’s a process and requires a serious commitment on behalf of the client and the coach.
Adjusting to and thriving in the academy is particularly challenging for people who were not groomed in their doctoral programs. Faculty enter the academy in many different ways, with diverse backgrounds, and at different times in their life. Everyone brings different strengths to the table but sometimes it’s difficult to navigate academia and to figure out how to leverage those attributes to become a cutting-edge scholar or transformative leader while also leading a happy, balanced life.
I joined the faculty on the tenure-track almost two decades ago without a terminal degree and without really knowing what I was getting myself into. I worked on my doctoral degree while on the tenure-track and luckily had different mentors at different stages, who helped me through the process. It was difficult but resulted in an extremely rewarding career with many ups and only a few downs. (I’ve learned in my coach training to see things through different lenses). Reflecting back on my academic journey, I would have benefitted from a coach along the way - not just getting through the tenure process but also working toward full professorship and beyond.
I am now in a position where I can help others make the transition into academia more smoothly, effectively, and with fewer sacrifices, hopefully leading to a rewarding career based on their strengths. I can’t wait to get started.
Sources:
Williams, P. (n.d.). Borderline: Understanding the relationship between therapy and coaching, Choice, 5(3), pg. 22-26).
