How to Become a Life Coach in New Jersey
If your dream career is to listen to the concerns and challenges of others while helping them to try to find solutions, becoming a life coach may be the perfect career for you. When you become a life coach in New Jersey, you’ll help people to set personal or professional goals, and you’ll guide them in making a plan to achieve these goals. As time goes on, you’ll be able to see how much of a difference you’re making in their lives. Being a life coach is an extremely rewarding way to make a living.
What are the Requirements for Becoming a Life Coach in New Jersey?
While some careers require years of study and attaining degrees or licenses, there are no official requirements for becoming a life coach in New Jersey. You could actually say you’re a life coach with no training at all, but formal training will give you important skills for being able to effectively assist others with their life challenges.
Potential employers or clients are more likely to gravitate toward a life coach who can demonstrate they’ve completed an accredited training program or attained professional certification.
Professional Certification as a Life Coach
The International Coach Federation (ICF) is a professional organization that offers certification to life coaches in New Jersey who have demonstrated knowledge and efficiency in the field. They also offer accreditation to schools that meet their high standards.
Three levels of certification can be attained through ICF. An entry-level coach who has completed 60+ hours of training along with over 100 hours of coaching experience can become an Associate Certified Coach. Once you’ve completed 125+ hours of training and over 500 hours of coaching experience, you can become a Professional Certified Coach. Completing 200+ hours training and 2,500+ hours experience qualifies you to become a Master Certified Coach.
Training to Become a Life Coach in New Jersey
Training to become a life coach in New Jersey can be done online, at in-person training programs or through programs that combine the two. Some options for life coach training in New Jersey include:
- Kickstart Your Edge – This ICF-accredited leadership and corporate coach training program includes 20 weeks of training, two in-person weekends, 18 weeks of virtual workshops and a personal mentor. You’ll master the skillset needed to effectively coach people in a corporate environment. Morristown, NJ, is the location of some of the in-person training provided by this organization.
- CoachVille – This fast-paced coach training includes a methods class, a skills class, business training and a practicum. Over 1,000 hours of training in a self-study library is also available. This training program is located in Hopatcong, NJ.
Job Outlook and Salary Potential for New Jersey Life Coaches
How much you make as a New Jersey life coach depends on whether you work for an organization or on a self-employed basis. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, life coaches made an average annual salary of approximately $61,900 in 2015. If you work for a company, entry-level jobs may pay less than this average figure, but with experience and additional training, you’ll eventually be able to bring in a higher salary. If you’re self-employed, your earnings will depend on how many clients you have and what you decide to charge.
Your Career as a Life Coach in New Jersey
More and more people are starting to recognize the impact that hiring a life coach can have on their lives. New Jersey is the 11th most populous state, so coaching opportunities can be found all over the state, especially in large cities such as Newark or Jersey City.