Employers
Life coaches may specialize in business and corporate management, or they may have experience in health care or fitness, or any other specialization. Many work as independent consultants, with clients from various industries. They may work in corporations and businesses, or for government agencies. Companies with wellness programs may hire life coaches on a contract basis. Life coaches may also work in schools, hospitals, and long-term care centers. Some life coaches are employed full time at large companies, working closely with employees to help them identify and achieve their business goals. Nearly 17,770 life coaches work in the United States.
Starting Out
The life coaching industry is unregulated, and anyone can call themselves a life coach. However, those who are most successful in their field have at least a bachelor's degree and years of work experience in the specialized area they coach. Many get their start through work in a prior career, such as financial manager for those who provide finance-related coaching. They also get certified through professional coaching associations. They may start as assistants or junior life coaches, gaining on-the-job experience. They find job opportunities through sites such as Idealist, Indeed, LinkedIn, and SimplyHired, among others. They also learn about job openings by participating in professional associations such as the International Association of Coaching and the International Association of Professional Life Coaches.
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