There are twenty-three thousand certified coaches in the United States and over seventy-one thousand worldwide. In fact, the number of active coaches has increased by 35% in the last five years in the U.S. alone! Despite industry growth, access to coaching is limited, especially among minorities. A recent survey from the non-profit Jobs for the Future found that 55% of Black learners and workers have never had a coach. One of the main reasons found was simply the high cost associated with personalized coaching programs. Personal coaching sessions can vary depending on the coach’s certification, expertise, or program. According to the National Coach Academy, hourly rates can range from $100 to $600 per hour!
Many years ago, I was bullied at work by my supervisor. He’d recently been hired as the Executive Director of Corporate Marketing, and my creative team fell under his guard. I was quite excited about his hiring as our department had been without a director for months and we were in desperate need of a visionary leader. Unfortunately, we had no idea what a terrible boss he would be.
I was rejected by a mentor once. I was stuck in my career and desperately looking for guidance. During my one-on-one with my director (someone whom I highly respected and still do), I asked if he would consider mentoring me. I remember saying
I strongly believe that we are stronger together. As a result, I actively look for opportunities to mentor and inspire other designers in my industry. I am particularly passionate about inspiring and mentoring young POC designers.