Coach an OMD SCholar
One Million Degrees Coaches act as sounding boards, thought partners, and cheerleaders for OMD scholars.
By volunteering just a few hours a month, you can make a lasting difference in a scholar’s life and career. OMD provides training and tools for coaches to effectively support our hardworking scholars.
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 no open so apply today!
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.
COACH ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS
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HOW TO BECOME A COACH
One Million Degrees Scholars are individuals pursuing their associate degrees. They have persisted through challenging situations and are striving to reach their full potential and become positive forces in their families and communities.
We provide the training and tools for you to engage with our hardworking scholars. You empower our scholars to set goals, achieve critical milestones, and become tomorrow’s leaders.
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
If you’d like to learn more and ask questions, sign up for our next OMD Coaching info session.
APPLICATION
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Get Started Today!
Applications for the 2024-25 school year are open! Begin your OMD Coaching journey today!
If you’re a current OMD Coach interested in coaching next year, check your inbox for the intent to return form. If you haven’t received one, reach out to us at coach@onemilliondegrees.org.
Still have a question?
Sign up for a Coaching Info Session and learn more!
Or, contact us at coach@onemilliondegrees.org
OMD COACH FAQS
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Let's answer your questions!
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?
Coaches are required to complete an asynchronous virtual training of less than two hours at a time and date of their choosing within a two-week period from the time that they receive the link to the training.
Coaches attend five in-person OMD coaching sessions during the academic year (September – May). These sessions are hosted on designated days in person at the coach’s preferred campus. Matched group coaching sessions will be 2 hours each.
Coach Scholar Mixer: October 2024
In person sessions: November 2024, January 2025, March 2025, May 2025
In addition, coaches should plan to check-in with their scholar(s) at least once per month outside of the in-person meetings. How you check in with your scholar is up to you: It can be done in-person, by phone, video chat, or by email. Coaches and scholars decide together on the preferred frequency and mode of communication.
We ask all coaches to submit a short monthly activity summary to OMD staff reflecting on their coaching experience. This generally takes no more than 10 minutes.
Lastly, OMD is always looking for ways to celebrate our coaches!. We would love the opportunity to show our appreciation by joining us in the Spring for our Annual Coach Appreciation Event.
When will I be matched with OMD Scholars?
You will be matched with your scholars by November 2024, just in time for the first in-person session!
Where do the coaching sessions 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.
Will there be a Drop-in coaching option for the 2024-25 school year?
No, we will only be offering matched group coaching this year.
What kinds of topics are covered during coaching sessions?
Coaching 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.
How will I be matched with my scholar(s)?
Coaches are paired directly with Year 1 scholars as part of our matching process. One Million Degrees staff match scholars and coaches based on a variety of criteria including age, education, personal background, industry, hobbies, and interests. Whenever possible, coach – scholar matches and coaching groups will be kept the same from year-to-year.
Can I be matched with my previous scholar(s) again?
Unfortunately, you will most likely not be able to work with your assigned scholar(s) from previous years because we are only matching Year 1 scholars this year. That said, you are more than welcome to stay in touch with your previously assigned scholar(s) outside of OMD!
Will my previous scholar(s) be matched with another coach?
Your scholar(s) will not be matched with another coach through the OMD program as we are only doing coaching for Year 1 scholars this year. Instead, your scholar(s) will be able to take advantage of our CareerSpring coaching platform, where they will be able to connect with a career advisor that they feel is the best fit for them depending on what they are looking for in an advisor. However, you are more than welcome to stay in touch with your previously assigned scholar(s) outside of OMD!
How does group coaching work?
OMD Coaches are paired with two to three co-coaches and each coach is matched with four primary scholars, creating a small coaching group (3:12). Groups come together at OMD’s monthly coaching sessions and can meet as a group outside of the sessions. Group coaching allows for diverse perspectives in approaching challenges and goals and enables scholars to make meaningful connections with multiple coaches and fellow scholars.
What if I want to be matched with a specific co-coach?
We would love to be able to match you with a specific co-coach if possible!
If you are a returning coach:
Please specify who you would like to work with in your intent to return form. Please note that we will only be able to match you both as co-coaches if you choose to coach at the same campus.
If you are a new coach:
Please specify who you would like to work with in your coach application. Please note that we will only be able to match you both as co-coaches if you choose to coach at the same campus.
Am I expected to check in with all my scholars every month outside of SDS? What is this time commitment?
We do encourage you to check in with your scholars every month outside of SDS at least once. Checking in with your scholars does not always need to look like meeting in person or talking on the phone, though. It can also look like sending a simple text message or email to your scholars to see how things are going, a 15-minute Zoom meeting, or a check-in over coffee. The time commitment outside of required SDS can be what works best for you and your scholars.
What if my scholars do not attend SDS or otherwise engage with the program or me?
If this happens, please let your assigned volunteer coordinator know so they can get in touch with your scholars’ program coordinator. Your assigned volunteer coordinator may do their best to try and rematch you with other scholars if your scholars are not responsive or inactive.
What is a 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 my co-coaches consistently do not show up?
If this happens, please let your assigned volunteer coordinator know in case they don’t already so they can get in touch with your co-coaches. Your assigned volunteer coordinator may do their best to try and rematch you with other coaches if your co-coaches do not respond or are unable to continue coaching with us.
What if I can’t attend Saturday sessions?
We understand that people have work, travel, and family commitments; however, we ask coaches to prioritize attendance at SDS. Matched coaches are not allowed to miss more than one in-person coaching session (or virtual coach meetings), unless their scholars don’t attend. When an absence is necessary, we ask that coaches contact both their scholar(s) and co-coach as soon as possible. Furthermore, coaches who must miss a coaching session should arrange an alternate in-person (or virtual) meeting with their scholar(s) to help them stay on track with career objectives and program goals.
What if I can’t commit to coaching but want to be involved?
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 kind of training and support will I receive? Are there tools to help me coach?
All coaches will receive asynchronous 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.
How do I spread the word about OMD?
There are a number of ways you can help us spread the word about OMD Coaching and the work we do! You can always share links to our OMD Coaching webpage or, to learn more, contact coach@onemilliondegrees.org.
