Many potential clients ask whether they should participate in a workshop related to their career concerns or sign up for individual coaching sessions. Austin Career Workshops are 1 – 2 hour group meetings where the training material and individual activities are preset. One-on-one career coaching are 30 – 60 minutes sessions with you and one other person, your coach. You determine specific goals and the sessions are personalized and flexible.

So which should you choose? My answer is… (drum roll please)… it depends. It comes down to the investment you can and want to make in your career. Here are the important factors to consider when choosing between a career training workshop and individual career coaching sessions. Evaluate these factors related to your specific career concerns and you should have a more clear answer.

• What is your budget? Individual coaching is typically at a higher price point than group work.
  Determine what you want to invest in changing career and the extent of the changes you need. See which option fits better and keeps you in your budget.
• What is your ability to take general information and apply it to your situation?
  In a 1:1 coaching session, the coach discusses all the specifics related to your situation. In a group setting, you will likely receive broader information that can apply to a number of situations. It will be up to you to apply that broad information and provided resources to your specific situation and questions.
• Do you need a flexible schedule or rigid schedule?
  Individual coaching sessions typically have more flexibility with your Austin schedule than a workshop. A workshop will be held a set times and days that you will need to commit to. The structure of set workshop times can help people who need help prioritizing their career over the other things vying for their attention.
• Are you able take action with a little guidance?
  In workshops, the facilitator won’t be able to spend much (if any) 1:1 time with you to help you take action. In an individual coaching session, your coach suggests ideas specific to your unique situation, helps you create action steps and then holds you to it!
• Are you comfortable learning and sharing in a group setting?
  Some of us learn better when we are in a group setting and get to bounce ideas off others in the group. Others are hesitant to interact and work better one on one.
• Do you anticipate needing help outside of sessions?
  Some coaching engagements include the ability to ask the coach questions between sessions. In a workshop, you are unlikely to get that support, however, workshop facilitators may stay after the session to answer a few individual questions.

Both Austin based workshops and individual coaching are viable options to get you the help you need and closer to your career goals. The choice between the two comes down to which option meets your needs, comfort level, budget and goals best. If you have suggestions, please include them below. If you are still unsure we suggest contact a career coach who runs 1:1 coaching as well as workshop training.