Is this course completely online?

Yes, it is completely online. You can access your lectures and readings anytime and anywhere via the web or your mobile device.

Which jobs does this program prepare for?

This program prepares you for jobs in career coaching, career navigation and career counseling that may be available in a wide array of industries and sectors.

Do I need to take the courses in a specific order?

We highly recommend taking the courses in the order presented, as the content builds on information from earlier lessons.

What will I get if I subscribe to this Certificate?

When you enroll in the course, you get access to all of the courses in the Certificate, and you earn a certificate when you complete the work. Your electronic Certificate will be added to your Accomplishments page - from there, you can print your Certificate or add it to your LinkedIn profile.

Foundations of Career Navigating and Coaching

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Foundations of Career Navigating and Coaching

This course is part of Goodwill® Career Coach and Navigator Professional Certificate

Instructor: Goodwill Academy

28,825 already enrolled

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4 modules

Gain insight into a topic and learn the fundamentals.

364 reviews

Beginner level

Recommended experience

Flexible schedule

2 weeks at 10 hours a week

Learn at your own pace

97%

Most learners liked this course

4 modules

Gain insight into a topic and learn the fundamentals.

364 reviews

Beginner level

Recommended experience

Flexible schedule

2 weeks at 10 hours a week

Learn at your own pace

97%

Most learners liked this course

Skills you'll gain

Details to know

Shareable certificate

Add to your LinkedIn profile

Assessments

11 assignments¹

AI Graded see disclaimer

Taught in English

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This course is part of the Goodwill® Career Coach and Navigator Professional Certificate

When you enroll in this course, you'll also be enrolled in this Professional Certificate.

Learn new concepts from industry experts
Gain a foundational understanding of a subject or tool
Develop job-relevant skills with hands-on projects
Earn a shareable career certificate from Goodwill Industries International

There are 4 modules in this course

This course is for those who are passionate about helping people find jobs aligned with their skills and interests so they can earn a living through fulfilling work. This first course in the Career Coach and Navigator Professional Certificate will provide foundational knowledge of the Career Navigator and Coach roles, and introduce relationship management and human-centered coaching and navigating.

By the end of the course, you will be able to: 1. Explain the foundational concepts of Career Coaching and Navigating. 2. Familiarize clients with the Career Coaching and Navigation experience. 3. Discover career possibilities for Career Navigators and Career Coaches 4. Describe common Career Development theories, models, and tools. 5. Summarize Coaching Agreements and Career Service Plans. 6. Identify professional and ethical standards. 7. Describe human-centered approaches to Career Coaching and Navigating. To be successful in this course, no prior experience with career coaching or navigation is required. You just need a passion to help people, along with basic computer skills (some knowledge of word processing, spreadsheets, presentations and email).

Whether you have experience in social services or are seeking fulfilling work helping people, Career Coaching and Navigating could be a great place to grow your practice. In this module, you will get an introduction to what Career Coaching and Navigating skills, practice and theories are and how they are used.

What's included

12 videos4 readings3 assignments3 discussion prompts

12 videosTotal 58 minutes

Introduction to Career Coach and Navigator Professional Certificate7 minutes
Course Introduction: Foundations of Career Coaching and Navigating1 minute
What is Career Coaching and Navigating?6 minutes
Career Coach and Navigator Roles5 minutes
Changing People's Lives5 minutes
Steps to Career Navigating and Coaching4 minutes
Meet a Career Navigator2 minutes
Career Navigators: A Day in the Life4 minutes
Overview of the Job Seeking Experience5 minutes
Profiles of Job Seekers6 minutes
Introduction to Skills- and Competency-Based Career Development7 minutes
Benefits of Skills- and Competency-Based Career Development6 minutes

4 readingsTotal 50 minutes

Welcome to the Course5 minutes
Discover Jobs in Career Coaching and Navigating15 minutes
Case Study: Journey of a Job Seeker15 minutes
Case Study: Skills-Based and Competency-Based Career Navigation15 minutes

3 assignmentsTotal 90 minutes

Career Coaching and Navigating Quiz30 minutes
Defining Career Coaching and Navigation30 minutes
The Job Seeking Experience30 minutes

3 discussion promptsTotal 35 minutes

How will you make an impact?15 minutes
What do clients have in common?10 minutes
Reflection: Skills-Based and Competency-Based Career Navigation versus Traditional Career Navigation10 minutes

Building a strong foundation on practical research and theory is critical for a Career Navigator or Career Coach. In this Module, you will delve into the foundations of Career Coaching and Navigating by exploring human services coaching philosophies, strategies and fundamental concepts and how they are used to help people.

What's included

8 videos2 readings2 assignments2 discussion prompts

8 videosTotal 49 minutes

Module 2 Introduction: Theories Behind Career Coaching and Navigating2 minutes
What is a Theory and Why is it Important?8 minutes
Maslow's Hierarchy of Needs6 minutes
Frank Parsons' Trait and Factor Theory6 minutes
Super’s Developmental Self-Concept Theory10 minutes
Holland Theory of Vocational Types6 minutes
Bandura’s Social Cognitive Theory8 minutes
Introduction to Career Development Theory: Call to Action4 minutes

2 readingsTotal 26 minutes

Career Development Theories Summary20 minutes
Career Development Theory Case Study6 minutes

2 assignmentsTotal 60 minutes

Career Development Theories Quiz30 minutes
Development Theories Quiz30 minutes

2 discussion promptsTotal 20 minutes

Recall a time that you overcame challenges10 minutes
Which career theories would you apply to support the client's career development and why?10 minutes

Providing excellent service relies on your ability to build a lasting bond with clients and interact with them effectively. In this module, you will discover how to establish trust with clients, initiate and terminate coaching agreements and ensure your actions align with the ethical and professional standards for Career Coaches and Career Navigators.

What's included

15 videos6 readings3 assignments3 discussion prompts

15 videosTotal 61 minutes

Understanding the Coach-Client Relationship3 minutes
Coordination and Support Roles3 minutes
Setting Expectations4 minutes
Cultural Competency6 minutes
Establishing Trust with Clients4 minutes
Maintaining a Navigator/Coach Presence3 minutes
What is a Coaching Agreement?4 minutes
Setting Expectations5 minutes
Career Services Plans4 minutes
Defining Career and Supportive Services3 minutes
Ethical Guidelines5 minutes
Preventing Discrimination4 minutes
Conflict of Interest4 minutes
Legal Concerns4 minutes
When to End a Coaching Agreement4 minutes

6 readingsTotal 74 minutes

Professional Relationships and Healthy Boundaries10 minutes
Establishing Trust with Clients Example2 minutes
Setting Expectations Example2 minutes
Establishing and Maintaining Agreements20 minutes
Professional Standards20 minutes
Preventing Discrimination Case Study20 minutes

3 assignmentsTotal 90 minutes

Managing the Client Relationship Quiz30 minutes
Preparing for Success Quiz30 minutes
Coaching Agreements Quiz30 minutes

3 discussion promptsTotal 30 minutes

How do you establish trust?10 minutes
How do you set expectations?10 minutes
Preventing Discrimination10 minutes

Applying a human-centered approach to your client relations will help you cultivate deep empathy to develop solutions that help meet your clients' needs. In this module, you will learn how promoting diversity and equity and encouraging self-care mesh with human-centered processes to help Career Coaches and Navigators to provide effective solutions for clients.

What's included

17 videos7 readings3 assignments1 peer review3 discussion prompts

17 videosTotal 69 minutes

What is the Human-Centered Approach?4 minutes
Cycle of Support6 minutes
Crisis Intervention6 minutes
Crisis Intervention Example2 minutes
Self-care for Career Navigators and Coaches4 minutes
Trust, Safety, Respect and Empathy6 minutes
Cultural Sensitivity and Racial Equity5 minutes
Disabilities and Rehabilitation Options6 minutes
Human-centered Communication4 minutes
What is Trauma-informed Care?4 minutes
Interpersonal Communication3 minutes
Establishing Rapport3 minutes
Active Listening4 minutes
Powerful Questioning4 minutes
Direct Communication3 minutes
Verbal Communication Skills3 minutes
Non-verbal Communication3 minutes

7 readingsTotal 57 minutes

Human-Centered Practice and Process Model10 minutes
Cultural Sensitivity and Racial Equity Example2 minutes
Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Case Study10 minutes
Trauma-informed Care Case Study10 minutes
Best Practices for Communication Skills10 minutes
Peer Review Case Study5 minutes
Congratulations!10 minutes

3 assignmentsTotal 90 minutes

Human-centered Navigating and Coaching Quiz30 minutes
Human-Centered Approach Quiz30 minutes
Diversity and Equity Quiz30 minutes

1 peer reviewTotal 60 minutes

Applying a Human-Centered Approach60 minutes

3 discussion promptsTotal 30 minutes

How do you practice self-care?10 minutes
What does diversity, equity and inclusion mean for your community?10 minutes
Trauma-informed Care Reflection Activity10 minutes

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Instructor

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(155 ratings)

Goodwill Academy

Goodwill Industries International

7 Courses32,329 learners

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Goodwill Industries International

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Reviewed on Feb 27, 2026

Great foundational course for career Coaching and Navigating. The material is aligned well with ICF best practices and methods.

Reviewed on Mar 10, 2024

I enjoyed the course; it was easy to navigate and required my attention, as well as note-taking. I'm always grateful for a course that requires me to give myself to it - I learn more that way.

Reviewed on Oct 10, 2025

I'm enjoying learning about how to a better job of helping others succeed in their careers as well as myself.

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Frequently asked questions

This program is for anyone interested in becoming a career coach or navigator. It may also be of interest to educators or human resource professionals who want to improve their ability to support people who are building skills and advancing careers.

High school diploma or GED; passion to help people; basic computer skills and internet navigation experience; some knowledge of word processing, spreadsheets, presentations and email; typing skills

A career navigator forms a trusting relationship with diverse clients as they move through their career journey. They work on the case management of clients and help them prepare for jobs and careers.

To access the course materials, assignments and to earn a Certificate, you will need to purchase the Certificate experience when you enroll in a course. You can try a Free Trial instead, or apply for Financial Aid. The course may offer 'Full Course, No Certificate' instead. This option lets you see all course materials, submit required assessments, and get a final grade. This also means that you will not be able to purchase a Certificate experience.