Coach an OMD SCholar
One Million Degrees coaches are more than mentors —they’re cheerleaders, career guides, and trusted sounding boards for community college students striving for success.
By dedicating just a few hours a month, you can help a scholar gain confidence, build career skills, and navigate their college journey.
OMD COACHES
impact scholars
When you become an OMD Coach, you will make a lasting difference with the OMD Scholars you work with, have opportunities to network with like-minded peers, and more:
MAKE A DIFFERENCE
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Provide mentorship
- Facilitate monthly meetings that support to scholar success
- Share how your experiences have shaped your life and career
Support career planning
- Provide consultation and career advice like interview prep and resume writing
- Explore how networking and personal branding can impact a scholar’s career
Sharpen your coaching skills
- Gain access to OMD’s coach training,
resources, and tools - Become part of the OMD community and
network of coaches, scholars, and partners
OMD COACHES MAKE A LASTING DIFFERENCE
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THE OMD COACH EXPERIENCE
Coaches provide mentorship, career advice, and guidance. They help with resume writing, interview prep, and career planning while connecting personally with scholars.
We’ve recently updated our coaching model to allow for deeper, more meaningful and impactful coach-scholar connections. For the 2024-25 school year:
- All coaches will be matched with up to four Year 1 OMD Scholars and will engage with those scholars monthly for the full academic year.
- All coaches will also be paired with two additional coaches, forming a small coaching group that will collaborate to support their twelve-scholar cohort.
Applications are closed for the 2024 – 25 academic year. Fill out our volunteer interest form to learn more opportunities to get involved and stay up-to-date on coaching deadlines.
Training & Info Sessions
Whether you’re new to coaching or returning, we provide training and resources to sharpen your skills. Details for these trainings will be sent via email once you’ve submitted your application.
A Fall Meet & Greet Kick Off Event
Before you’re matched with OMD Scholars, attend a meet and greet kickoff event to get to know the program and campus where you’ll be coaching.
Four On-Campus Student Development Sessions
Each of these one hundred and twenty (or two hour)-minute sessions, held in-person on Saturday mornings, will focus on a topic like time management and self-care. There will be opportunities for you to connect with scholars, collaborate with your coaching peers, and experience mentorship in action.
These sessions will take place in November, January, March and May.
Monthly Scholar Check-Ins
Set your monthly check-ins based on your schedule, including emails, video chats, lunches, or however you prefer to connect.
EXPECTATIONS
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WHAT TO EXPECT AS A COACH IN 2025-26
Your guidance can change a student’s future—and enrich your own life in the process. Join us today!
TWO WAYS TO COACH
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DROP IN
Coaches working with first-year Scholars will table-facilitate small groups of scholars at monthly Development Sessions held on Saturdays.
Coaches are not expected to attend sessions every month, but “drop in” as they are available.
COACH A SCHOLAR
LEARN HOW TO MAKE A LASTING DIFFERENCE
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Attend a coaching info session
Our coach application and info sessions are closed for the 2024 – 25 school year. If you’d like to learn more and ask questions, fill out our volunteer interest form.
STEPS NEEDED
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HOW TO BECOME AN OMD COACH
Start your OMD coaching journey now!
Have an associate degree (or completed two years of undergraduate studies) or higher and a passion for educational equity.
Complete and submit your coaching application.
Once your application is approved, you’ll begin the coach onboarding process, which includes signing your coach agreement and a background check.
All OMD coaches will complete an informative and convenient online training program. During onboarding, you’ll receive more info on how to complete your training and access resources.
OMD COACH FAQS
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We're here to help!
If you’re interested in becoming an OMD coach, we want to make the process as easy as possible. Check out our frequently asked questions below.
What are the qualifications to become an OMD Coach?
OMD Coaches must have an associate degree or higher and a passion for educational equity.
What are the requirements and time commitments expected of OMD Coaches?
OMD coaches will attend five in-person student development sessions (SDS) throughout the school year, held in October, November, January, March, and May at City College Campuses—exact dates pending. At those events, coaches will support scholars with resume writing, interview prep, and career planning while connecting personally.
Coaches have the option to connect with scholars they meet at SDS in between sessions, and are encouraged to build relationships in ways that make sense for themselves and the scholars they meet. This can range from connecting on LinkedIn to sharing professional development or networking opportunities.
OMD will also host a few in-person opportunities throughout the school year, including OMD coach socials and other on-campus coaching events to build community and celebrate the work we do.
Where do coaching sessions, SDS, or other in-person events take place?
Coaching sessions will take place on-site, in-person at the coach’s preferred campus. You will be assigned a campus based on your preferences when you are approved as an OMD Coach.
Coach socials take place at venues around Chicago, generally focused downtown.
What kinds of topics are covered during in-person student development sessions?
These sessions cover a diverse range of topics including: resume development, cultural norms in the workplace and classroom, elevator pitches, goal setting, professional etiquette, community engagement, leadership, and financial literacy.
Am I expected to check in with scholars every month outside of SDS? What is this time commitment?
While we encourage OMD coaches to build relationships with the scholars they meet, it is not a requirement to check-in with scholars in between our in-person SDS meetings.
What is an OMD Program Coordinator?
Program coordinators are scholar-facing staff members! They are a direct pipeline of support to our scholars in the program and connect with them regularly.
What if I can’t attend Saturday sessions?
One Million Degrees runs a variety of one-time volunteer opportunities throughout the year: Professional Roundtables, Interview Prep Workshops, Speed Networking Nights, Career Panels etc. Stay tuned to your inbox and fill out our Volunteer Interest Form to learn more.
What if I can’t commit to coaching but want to be involved?
Being on a career panel is a great way to provide guidance to OMD Scholars without the full coach commitment! If you’re interested in learning more about career panels, visit our career panels webpage and fill out the form to let us know!
What kind of training and support will I receive? Are there tools to help me coach?
All coaches will receive online training prior to the first coaching session and will be given a coaching toolkit that includes tips for working with scholars as well as guides and templates for the career objectives such as resume, cover letter, and elevator pitch. Coaches will also have access to the OMD Coach Portal, an online one-stop shop for all things coaching. There will be multiple opportunities to be in community with other coaches throughout the year. In addition, OMD Staff are also available to troubleshoot issues and concerns and can help coaches navigate challenges.
