Crossroads to Triumph: A Personal Glimpse of Professional Reinvention

Excitement pulsed through me as I reported to my new workstation, ready to embrace (practically) my soon-to-be-acquired title, Certified Human Resources Professional (CHRP-K) —an achievement I eagerly anticipated adding to my professional journey. Despite my background in Public Relations, I had fallen head over heels for the HR profession, honing my skills under a supportive supervisor for five years. I had passionately pursued and completed the certification course, gearing up for a role that would put me at the helm of a function I deeply cared about.

However, the euphoria of my first day was short-lived. I quickly realized that my lack of due diligence on the organization's culture left me feeling out of place. Managing numerous stakeholders without the protective wing of a supervisor was overwhelming. You see, it was my first time heading a department, I found myself lost and desperate. Quitting was not an option; responsibilities as a mother and a woman striving for success prevailed.

Amidst the chaos, a dear friend's advice altered the trajectory of my professional life. Acknowledging my HR expertise, he suggested I might not be ready to navigate the complexities of my current role alone. His advice was clear: seek both a mentor and a coach to guide me through this challenging phase.

"Why both?" I questioned, seeking simplicity.

He explained that while a rare gem might embody both mentorship and coaching, their distinct roles offer invaluable support during pivotal career moments. Recognizing the need for guidance, he highlighted the roles of career clarity coaches and mentors.

A career clarity coach, he explained, specializes in helping individuals identify their strengths, values, and passions through various tools and structured conversations. This professional can guide you in understanding your goals and aligning them with your personal and professional aspirations. Ideal for those contemplating a significant career change or feeling stuck with unclear professional goals, a career clarity coach offers a structured approach to self-discovery through scheduled sessions with specific agendas. Sometimes, even when we are certain about our desired career direction, gaining insights into the "why" and aligning these insights with our strengths, while also understanding our limitations, can make all the difference.

On the other hand, mentors offer guidance based on their own experiences and expertise. They share insights, offer advice, and facilitate skill development in a specific field. A mentor becomes particularly valuable when seeking practical insights and advice in a particular industry or when looking for guidance to enhance specific skills. Mentorship is often characterized by a more casual, ongoing relationship where guidance is shared organically, evolving into long-term connections. While mentorship traditionally provided an unstructured approach, recent trends have shown it evolving into solid structures, blurring the lines between coaching and mentorship.

In conclusion, the roles of both career clarity coaches and mentors are pivotal, and the choice between them depends on individual needs. A coach lights the path during self-discovery, while a mentor imparts industry-specific insights and personal guidance. My journey, with a supportive friend who became my mentor, along with introductions to a couple more mentors and a career clarity coaching program, revolutionized my self-awareness and equipped me with coping mechanisms for workplace challenges. Excelling in my role, I stayed for seven months before seizing a better opportunity. Along the way, I cultivated growth and invaluable professional accountability and support partners. These functions worked in harmony, unlocking my potential and propelling me to thrive in my professional pursuits.