By Amy Shuman
UC Davis Professional Coaching Student

Editor's note -- This is part two of an ongoing blog series written by Amy Shuman, a current student in our Professional Coaching program. 

Going into weekend two after my full work week I was trying to mentally prepare myself to stay engaged for two more days. In short: I was tired.

Then a discussion started around whether or not we could call ourselves “coaches” yet.  I’ve been coaching people for two years but… am I a “coach?”  Like… a real coach?

As we celebrated the 75th anniversary of D-Day last month, I struggled with our current climate.  The headlines are deeply troubling, and in stark contrast to the unity of our efforts during World War II. 

There isn’t a way to easily explain how coaching connects to the many facets of one’s life-how it can truly change you and the way you see your world. I hope sharing my own experiences can shed light on how coaching can benefit you or someone you love, or even impact how you work and live. Sometimes the most important thing is just knowing you can reach out to someone and they will listen wholeheartedly, without judgment and with an open mind. Being a coach who is open to receiving and giving selflessly is at the core of that type of universal listening.

In this post, we feature two of our coaching program alums, who write about making career choices that honor your personal values. Thanks to Danielle Collins and Senka Ljubojevic for sharing their wisdom!

By Danielle Collins and Senka Holzer

Years ago, before I knew myself better, I accepted a promotion that I didn’t really want, but I sure liked the title. And salary.

When our graduates reflect on what coaching means to them, the result is an outpouring of love and a desire to be of service to others. 

I coach because I care about leadership. I know the difference coaching can make to everyday discussions, as well as big decisions, and am inspired to help others see that too. - Jeff Lakuska

I coach because people who strive to make their lives better are the architects of a better world. It is a privilege and an honor to be part of helping them operationalize their vision of the possible. - Donna Justice

As we enter the new year, it’s important to remember the significance and power of gratitude in the practice of coaching. To help strengthen your “gratitude muscle,” (and be a better resource for your clients) take a look below at some of the most prominent gratitude research.

There is a broad job market for coaches, both external (private practice coaches who own their businesses) and internal (coaches who work as part of a larger organization). In this post, UC Davis Extension Professional Coaching Instructor and Professional Certified Coach Carole Bennett shares her insights on what it means to be an internal coach.

As a Leadership and Performance Coach, I’m known for two things: helping people embrace pivotal career moments and using a coaching approach rooted in contemporary neuroscience.

For me, coaching is a results-oriented process. Most of the clients I work with are highly strategic individuals, who are well versed in planning for and achieving their goals. Brain-based approaches allow my clients to accelerate and create lasting change, have clarity of execution and maximize their potential by getting to the “who” faster.

Michelle Payne is a Master Certified Coach (MCC), which places her in the top 1% of the coaching profession. She works with executives world-wide, and she is also an instructor in the Professional Coaching for Life and Work Certificate Program at UC Davis Extension. This gives her a unique perspective on the coaching industry – a perspective she enjoys sharing with potential coaches.

Michelle’s first piece of advice for anyone considering a career in coaching is simple:

Many career paths have accrediting organizations that support and vet members of the profession. As a coach, your certification offers peace of mind to your clients, by guaranteeing that you have demonstrated certain competencies and adhere to a high standard of quality. Think of the HR Certification Institute (HRCI), the Project Management Institute (PMI) and the American Institute of Certified Planners (AICP), to name a few.