What is the background of Springboard Career Coaches and how does their role differ from that of a mentor?

Students in Springboard Career Track programs are well-supported through regular calls with two types of professionals: a mentor and a career coach. 

The mentor (that's you!) is the guide for each student’s technical learning, and the career coach is the guide for the student’s career learning and journey. Students may find it useful to discuss their career goals and concerns with their mentor, who can offer personal perspective, and students may discuss technical job search topics with their career coach, as the two roles complement each other with different emphasis areas. 

Expertise of Career Coaches vs. Mentors:

Discussion topics with students during calls:

What should I do if I disagree with the advice a Career Coach is giving my mentee?

• Keep your mentee's best interest at top of mind. What would help them move forward at this point?
• Try to understand the importance of the advice given by the career coach. 
• Dig deeper into what the real conflict is, in your mentee’s mind.
• Reflect upon how (and why) your own advice is different, for example: 
  • Is it possible that your advice comes from your own personal experience (which may be an edge case)? 
  • Is it because X industry is fundamentally different from Y industry? 
  • Is the Career Coach's advice generally good advice but not for this particular student & her circumstances (or vice versa)?
• Help move your mentee towards understanding and integrating the different points of view - to make her own decision and own it.
• If there is clearly wrong/inaccurate/incomplete or misleading information that your mentee has received, notify Springboard to help troubleshoot and improve (mentors@springboard.com).