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Working at Cornell

Mentoring & Coaching

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Cornell offers mentoring and coaching programs to staff and faculty. Both provide personalized guidance that can boost your skills and help you advance in your career goals.

Also check out Team Coaching for groups!

What's the difference?

Mentoring

  • Mentoring serves the client as a trusted advisor and guide
  • Short-term
  • Informal, flexible
  • Skills-Based (i.e., learn about a particular type of work, such as websites or project management)
  • Anyone can be a mentor (Learn about being a mentor!)
  • You choose your mentor or are matched in Workday
  • Mentors have answers for your questions

Learn More About Mentoring

Coaching

  • Coaching holds the client as their own resource for answers
  • Four to six month program,  meeting every 2-3 weeks
  • Structured
  • Focused on developing behaviors or "soft skills" (i.e., working smarter not harder, developing decision-making or strategic skills)
  • Coaches are professionally certified and confidential
  • Coaches are assigned individually through Organizational Development and Effectiveness and may involve a sponsor
  • Coaches ask you questions to help you explore, think, discover, and grow

Learn More About Coaching

Seeking career guidance and support?  Reach out to us for a career consultation

Make the Right Choice

Examples of the differences between coaching, mentoring, and career consulting.

Coaching

Helps you uncover your own answers and move forward through guided reflection and inquiry.

Examples: 

  • I want to build confidence and clarity, so I feel ready to take on a new project or apply for a higher-level role. 
  • I’d like to strengthen my leadership skills and become a more effective people leader. 
  • I want to improve how I respond to change and/or lead my team through change initiatives. 
  • I’m looking to deepen my self-awareness, understand how I show up under pressure, build executive presence, and identify blind spots. 

Mentoring

Provides advice and guidance based on someone’s knowledge and lived experience.

Examples: 

  • I’ve started a new role and want a mentor to help me grow and succeed. 
  • I’m pivoting careers and would value guidance from someone in my target field. 
  • I’m in a leadership role and want ongoing advice to become more effective. 

Career Consulting

Offers expert recommendations and actionable strategies to achieve specific career goals.

Examples: 

  • I want to clarify my long-term career goals and identify next steps for growth and advancement. 
  • I’m exploring a career pivot and want help understanding my options. 
  • I’m applying for a new role and need support reviewing my resume and cover letter.