From The Straits Times    |

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Naeema’s story

Naeema has always been driven to help others realise their full potential and make a positive impact on their lives. She is currently taking a coaching certification course and other coaching-related courses to “better myself as a reporting manager and coach to my team. 

“I subscribe to the Socratic saying that an unexamined life is not worth living,” she says. “In coaching, both the coach and the client have the potential to gain valuable lessons from each other and grow from the experience.”

The 46-year-old senior partner and PR manager of Ying Communications had been at a career crossroads four years ago, just after the 20-year mark in her PR career. 

“I felt stagnant as I had been in my role for a few years. It was during a chat with my reporting manager that I identified the questions I was facing about my role and career, and she suggested that I undergo a six-month, one-to-one coaching programme with an executive coach, which she then arranged for and sponsored.”

As a result of her positive experience of being coached, Naeema began looking into improving her own coaching skills, starting with coaching certification through a one-month residence in Italy with the Berkeley Executive Coaching Institute in May, for which she forked out US$19,500 ($26,600).

She also launched an internal mentoring programme to help senior and junior members of her team through discussions that focus on overall personal growth, apart from tangible skills or the operational aspects of each role.

“The help of a good coach can be invaluable to our ever-evolving personal growth journey,∫ says Naeema. ™It is an investment in not just our careers, but also our lives.” 

 

Where to Find a career coach

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Workforce Singapore (WSG)

www.wsg.gov.sg/career-services.html

WSG is a statutory board under the Ministry of Manpower that oversees the growth of the local workforce. It offers services ranging from career guidance to workshops and events to recruit and retrain job-seekers. Career coaches conduct sessions via phone or e-mail, or face-to-face.

Services are free for Singaporeans. Appointments are on a first come, first served basis and subject to availability.

ALSO READ: SO YOU HAVEN’T BEEN PROMOTED IN A MILLION YEARS… HERE ARE 7 POSSIBLE REASONS

 

International Coach Federation

www.icfsingapore.org 

ICF is a worldwide non-profit association of personal and career coaches. It has more than 9,000 professional coaches from 70 countries, and more than 400 coaches and coaches-in-training in Singapore. The website offers listings of coaches according to your needs ± life, career, business, entrepreneurship, family and relationships ± and allows you to contact them directly.

 

Noomii

www.noomii.com/career-coach-singapore

Noomii is an online international directory that matches you with one to three compatible coaches based on your career goals and your location. You can then read reviews on the coaches and request a free 20min consultation before hiring the best fit. 

Fees vary with the coaches’ experience, background and training, but average rates are $80-$200 an hour.

ALSO READ: DO YOU NEED A CAREER COACH? AND THANKS TO A CAREER COACH, THIS WOMAN IS NOW A SUCCESSFUL WORKING MUM AFTER 200 COMPANIES REJECTED HER RESUME

This story was first published on Her World’s June 2019 issue.