Why you should continue your professional development

By Jennifer Polk - From PhD to Life. On Monday I finish a coaching class. This will be the second professional development course I’ve done since getting my PhD in 2012. Back then, I’d never thought I’d see another classroom ever again! And, it’s true, I haven’t: My coaching courses are all over the phone! But still; you understand. I enrolled in the MentorCoach Foundations program, a 31-week introduction to the art, science, and business of coaching, in May 2013. I didn’t know if I wanted to be a coach per se, but felt confident that coaching skills would help me in my work and life no matter the details. It didn’t take long for me to start thinking very seriously about making a career as a coach, though. When Ann-Marie McKelvey told us students to “get coaching!” I did. More...