Academic Life Coaching is a supportive relationship for graduate students to enhance their development as scholars. Coaching is a self-directed endeavor focused on your goals, your development, and your ways of doing things. You will not be told what your goals should be or how to achieve them. Rather, your Coach will partner with you to help you get creative, plan action steps, and make habitual change. Coaching is available free of charge for graduate students at WPI.
FAQ's
What are common topics of focus in Coaching?
The most common topics include themes of procrastination, imposter phenomenon, time management, work/life balance, wellness, life aspirations, career exploration, milestone completion, research habits, and professional relationships/networking. Most topics that are relevant to your functioning as a graduate student are fair to bring up in coaching.
What if I am questioning whether to leave WPI or switch degrees? Can I still use coaching services?
Absolutely! These kinds of complex decisions are excellent topics to focus on. Coaches do not have a vested interest in convincing you one way or another in these decisions.
Are topics of discussion kept private?
Yes, with reasonable exceptions:
- Your Coach may obscure your identity and discuss your case with other staff, such as a supervisor or peer, for the sake of the coaches development.
- Your coach may exercise their best judgement to identify you in discussing your case with other staff when there is a legitimate educational reason to do so.
- Your coach will not discuss your situation with your faculty members without first asking your permission, excluding extraordinary circumstances.
- Coaches are employees of the University and thus are obliged to report knowledge of harm or discrimination relating to protected class, for example in cases of sexual misconduct, to the Title IX office or the Dean of Students office.
How is Academic Life Coaching different from mentorship?
Coaches focus on your development with a particular focus on your life goals and aspirations. Coaches are rarely experts in the topic of focus and instead rely on you as the expert of your own life. Mentorship is similar in many respects but assumes that the mentor holds expertise in the area of focus. For example, a Mentor might be a professional who is further along in the career path that you are pursuing. It can be beneficial to have both coach and mentor figures.
How is working with a Coach different from working with a Therapist or Counselor?
Therapists and Counselors have expertise in mental healthcare. Coaches do not. While coaching is focused on your development as a whole person, it is not a substitute for working with a clinician when you need clinical support. For some people, coaching can be a complement to clinical work by supporting the maintenance of routine wellness habits. For other people it can be counter-productive or even harmful, analogous to poking an unhealed wound. It is best to discuss boundaries with your coach if you have concerns.
Get Started Today.
Meet the Coaches
Email: ltaylor@wpi.edu
Phone: +1 (508) 8315000 x6532
Once you begin your journey, your Student Success Manager will remain with you throughout the duration of your program and work closely with you to ensure you are provided with all the information and tools needed for your program. Lori works with the following programs: Data Science, Systems Engineering, Systems Engineering Leadership, Supply Chain Analytics, Supply Chain Essentials, and Robotics Engineering. In addition, Lori is the Academic Coach for master’s students in all programs helping them to set goals, plan action steps, and make habitual change.
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