Let’s be brutally honest for a second, not everyone needs a career coach. Some people wing it, some read the right books, others stumble into success through trial and (plenty of) error. But here’s the thing: if you’re serious about building a career that actually fits with less second-guessing, fewer dead ends, and more strategic moves, you might want to weigh your options properly.
So, what works better: going solo or bringing in a professional? Let’s break it down.
The Case for DIY Career Development
Pros:
✔ Total control – you move at your own pace
✔ No financial investment required (just time, energy, and some frustration)
✔ Tons of free resources – blogs, podcasts, YouTube, you name it
✔ Builds independence and self-research skills
Cons:
✖ You don’t know what you don’t know
✖ Easy to get lost in “analysis paralysis”
✖ Hard to see your own blind spots
✖ No accountability – procrastination thrives in isolation
✖ Trial and error takes longer… and can get expensive in missed promotions, low confidence, or career missteps
Reality Check:
DIY works if you’re disciplined, self-aware, and don’t mind learning the hard way. But the cost? It’s your time, confidence, and sometimes your income potential.
What a Professional Career Coach Actually Does
Look, a good coach isn’t there to give you “10 easy steps” or hold your hand through obvious choices. They’re there to:
✔ Challenge your blind spots
✔ Bring clarity when everything feels foggy
✔ Accelerate decision-making with strategy, not guesswork
✔ Call your bluff when you’re playing small
✔ Map your next move based on experience, not guesswork
Think of it like this: could you renovate your house alone? Sure. But a professional architect saves you time, stress and expensive mistakes. Same principle applies to your career.
DIY vs Pro: Quick Comparison
| Factor | DIY Approach | Professional Coach |
| Speed of Progress | Slower, trial and error | Faster, structured, targeted |
| Blind Spot Awareness | Limited, self-reliant | Expert perspective, pattern spotting |
| Accountability | Self-imposed (easy to slip) | Built-in, with deadlines and support |
| Confidence Building | Gradually, it can stall easily | Fast-tracked through expert tools |
| Financial Investment | Free or low-cost | Paid but often with higher ROI |
Who Should Go DIY?
- You’re early in your career and experimenting
- You have strong self-motivation and structure
- You’re testing small pivots, not major reinventions
- You enjoy figuring things out slowly
Who Benefits from a Professional Career Coach?
- You’re stuck and spinning your wheels
- You’re mid-career or senior, and the stakes are higher
- You want to pivot industries or build a portfolio career
- You’re done with slow, frustrating guesswork
- You value clarity, momentum, and external perspective
Final Word: You Can Figure It Out Alone But Should You?
Career progress isn’t about being capable; it’s about being strategic. The DIY path isn’t wrong… it’s just longer, lonelier, and often more expensive than people realise.
If you’ve got the grit to go solo, go for it. But if you’re ready to skip the dead ends, wasted years, and second-guessing?
That’s where I come in.
👉 Book a Discovery Call with Dr. Kerstin Brehm and let’s build your next move with clarity, confidence, and precision.
