FirstGen Ahead coaches support their students during their junior and senior years of college. Once the student graduates, then what? Has that relationship served its purpose and not be useful in the future or will it continue to be helpful and, if so, in what ways? Sometimes the relationship continues based on a mutual agreement. If this isn’t the case, what is the appropriate way to conclude a coaching relationship? Here are some tips for students:
Meet face-to-face if possible. (Don’t let the relationship simply fade away.)
Emphasize your appreciation to your coach.
Describe what you’ve learned from your coach and how those skills will help your career going forward.
Ask your coach how they have seen you grow and the professional “rough edges” they believe you should continue to focus on.
If you would like to maintain some degree of contact, then agree on the frequency of those meetings; identify an easy-to-remember time of the year to re-connect, such as on the 4th of July.
Don’t burn bridges – you never know when your paths will cross either directly or indirectly through others in your network.
