Career Coaching

Whether you are moving from post-secondary education into the workforce or navigating uncertainty in your career, career coaching can help you gain clarity and take meaningful action. Career coaching offers personalized, one-on-one support to help you identify your goals, overcome obstacles, and make confident, informed decisions. Whether you're exploring options, navigating a transition, or seeking growth, coaching empowers you to take ownership of your career at any stage.

Career coaching is available to:

  • Current students (undergraduate and graduate) and recent graduates,
  • Experienced Alumni (mid-late career),
  • U of A employees,
  • Members of the public.

It is important to note that career coaching is not the same as career advising. Coaching focuses on identifying challenges, understanding their impact, and developing personalized strategies to address them. Advising typically offers guidance on career exploration, feedback on application materials, and interview preparation.

Exploring Your Career Options

Career exploration starts by understanding your unique strengths, experiences, and values. With the support of a coach, you will reflect on what matters most to you, consider what success looks like, and learn how to research and evaluate career possibilities.

If you are asking yourself any of the following questions, career coaching can support you:

  • What am I good at?
  • What is important to me in a career?
  • How do I navigate an uncertain job market?
  • How can I learn more about career options?
  • How do I choose a career path and figure out next steps?

Searching for Opportunities

Career coaching can also support your job search, whether you are looking for a summer job, preparing for graduation, transitioning careers, or building tools and strategies to find employment. With coaching, you can refine your networking, create effective application materials, and approach the job search with greater purpose.

Consider coaching if you are asking:

  • What are effective strategies for finding work?
  • How can I start to research my options?
  • How do I build connections in and outside of my field(s) of interest?
  • How do I stand out in a competitive job market?
  • Which techniques help me succeed in an interview and evaluate job offers?

Advancing Your Career

Career development doesn’t end when you get a job. As a student or professional, you may want to develop new skills, take on leadership opportunities, or pursue a career transition. With coaching, you will define what success means to you, explore skill-building opportunities, and map out the steps to move forward.

You may benefit from coaching if you are wondering:

  • What skills do I need to advance in my career?
  • What opportunities will help me build those skills?
  • What are my short- and long-term career goals?
  • How can I take action toward those goals?
  • How do I navigate the uncertainty that comes with career transitions?
  • How can I better balance work and life?

Graduate Students and the IDP

Graduate students at the ß÷ßäÉçÇø are required to complete an Individual Development Plan (IDP) as part of their professional development. The IDP helps you reflect on your knowledge, skills, experiences, and career goals. Working with a career coach can help you complete the IDP with purpose and direction and take the next step into your career.

You will explore questions such as:

  • What impact do I want to have in the workplace?
  • What new experiences do I want to pursue?
  • How do I make the transition from academia to industry?
  • What are my strengths and areas for growth?
  • What career options are available to me?

Graduate Students and the IDP

Graduate students at the ß÷ßäÉçÇø are required to complete an Individual Development Plan (IDP) as part of their professional development. The IDP helps you reflect on your knowledge, skills, experiences, and career goals. Working with a career coach can help you complete the IDP with purpose and direction and take the next step into your career.

You will explore questions such as:

  • What impact do I want to have in the workplace?
  • What new experiences do I want to pursue?
  • How do I make the transition from academia to industry?
  • What are my strengths and areas for growth?
  • What career options are available to me?

Fees

U of A students, alumni, and staff

  • $150/package of 3 coaching appointments (must be purchased initially)
  • $50/additional appointment (only available after completing the initial package of 3 appointments)

Ask about our subsidised coaching packages for U of A Alumni.

Funding opportunities are available for staff.

Others

  • $300/package of 3 coaching appointments (must be purchased initially)
  • $100/additional appointment (only available after completing the initial package of 3 appointments)

If you are interested in learning more about the program you can book a free 15-minute intake consultation on campusBRIDGE to find out how career coaching can work for you. Once logged in, go to Career Centre Appointments, use Book by Appointment Type and then select Career Coaching Initial Consultation (Free).

How to register for Career Coaching

  1. Go to the portal to sign up for an account. Select your status as student, staff, alumni, or guest depending on your relationship to the university. (If you are a student, you can log in using your CCID and password. Other types of users may need to first register for a new user account.)
  2. Once registered go to the Online Store then select either:
  • Initial Coaching Package (Student, Alumni, Staff)
  • Initial Coaching Package (Non U of A Clients)
  1. Follow the prompts on CampusBRIDGE and then proceed to checkout
  2. After purchasing, you will be contacted by a career coach with next steps, but feel free to book your first appointment

Book an Appointment

  1. Go to and log in to your account.
  2. Once logged in, go to Career Centre Appointments. You can find all open appointments by clicking on View Calendar, or you can use Book by Appointment Type or Book by Appointment Provider.
  3. Select: Career Coaching Appointment - Current Participants

For any questions related to how to use campusBRIDGE, email campusBRIDGE@ualberta.ca

Questions?

For all other career coaching inquiries or questions reach out to careercoaching@ualberta.ca.