Should I choose a Coach or a Mentor?

• You are looking for someone who knows far more about the context you work in and may well be an expert
• You need someone experienced in your field
• You want someone who may be a role model and can give advice and direction
• You are looking for support over a more extended period of time – up to a year or maybe longer
• You may want the focus to be on you as a whole person, and particularly relate to career progression/enhancement

NB The mentor will not have a line management relationship with the mentee, but they may already know each other

• A confidential process organised independently through the Imperial Coaching Academy
• Someone who comes from a different part of Imperial and will have no prior knowledge of you doesn't know your area, colleagues, or context and will bring more impartiality to the conversation
• Someone who doesn't have technical expertise in your field
• Help to address specific work-related challenges around people or projects, or issues relating to career development
• Someone who will support you in generating your solutions and taking responsibility for actions, rather than giving advice
• Someone who will bring a range of approaches, tools and interventions to the conversation
• An opportunity to work within a shorter time frame with a fixed number of meetings -Coaching is offered via four sessions over a 4 -6 month period – though this can be extended