Exploring a Career in Coaching or Counseling? Start by Volunteering with Empower Work
Marta Hanson is an Empower Work advisor and peer counselor committed to helping workers thrive. She writes about topics that come up on Empower Work's free, confidential text line, both to support workers and to encourage new volunteers to join the Empower Work community.
Have you thought about a career in coaching, social work, or counseling? Transitioning into a helping profession can be a meaningful and fulfilling path, but making the leap can also feel daunting. How can you know if this type of career is right for you? What skills do you need to build? And how can you gain real, relevant experience before committing to a big career shift?
Becoming a volunteer peer counselor with Empower Work is an excellent way to experience what this type of work feels like, and to better understand whether you’d like to pursue it full time.
Why Volunteer with Empower Work?
At Empower Work, volunteer peer counselors support people facing workplace challenges through a free, confidential text line. All volunteers are trained with the skills to make a real, positive difference in peoples’ lives. If you’re considering a career in coaching, here are a few reasons why volunteering could be a great opportunity for you.
1. Learn Valuable Skills
Empower Work volunteer peer counselors receive 30 hours of robust—and free—training, grounded in coaching and support. You’ll learn skills that are essential in all support professions, like establishing trust, active listening, asking powerful open-ended questions, and creating forward momentum. You’ll also learn about management dynamics and systemic issues that can impact workers, broadening your understanding of the challenges people face. Over 95% of volunteer peer counselors report learning new skills in the training!
2. Get Real Experience Helping Others
Direct experience supporting people through vulnerable moments is the best way to know if a career in this type of work is right for you. Once you’ve completed your Empower Work training, you’ll use your new skills to support people in tough work situations through real-time, text-based conversations. You’ll practice active listening, asking powerful questions, and helping each person find the next step that works for them. (And experienced peer counselors will be there to support you every step of the way.)
3. Build Confidence
If you’re considering enrolling in a coaching certification program, a social work degree, or counseling coursework, relevant experience can give you confidence and clarity. After all, there’s nothing like doing something to know if you like it. As one peer counselor shared, “the decision to volunteer [...] reignited my sense of purpose.” Volunteers have reported that this experience affirms their chosen career path and makes them feel more prepared when they enter formal education or training.
4. Make a Real Impact
As a volunteer, you know you’re making a difference. Over 90% of people who reach out to Empower Work report feeling better after talking with a peer counselor, and over 75% report being ready to take action. One texter shared, “My peer counselor helped me come up with concrete steps to tackle what I felt was impossible and also provided the emotional support I needed.” As a peer counselor, every conversation you have can help someone feel less stressed, more confident, and ready to move forward. The experience you gain isn’t just theoretical—it’s real, impactful, and deeply rewarding.
5. Start Today with A Flexible Schedule
With Empower Work, you can volunteer from anywhere and create your own schedule—either a set schedule each week, or flexing at busy times. All you need is a computer and internet connection. Whether you're working full-time, studying, or balancing other responsibilities, volunteering with Empower Work can fit into your life. Plus, we have training cohorts starting every few weeks—so you can begin today.
Ready to Take the Next Step?
Great! Apply to become an Empower Work volunteer today. We’re confident that your volunteer experience will help give you clarity and confidence as you consider a career shift.
Want to learn more before applying? Click here to hear from current Empower Work volunteer peer counselors.
Looking for support instead? Our volunteer peer counselors are a click away. Just text 510-674-1414 or start a web chat for free, confidential support.
*Note: Empower Work provides non-legal support for workplace challenges. This information, while authoritative, is not legal advice or guaranteed for legality. Employment laws and regulations vary by state. We recommend consulting with state resources for specific interpretation and decisions. If you believe you were discriminated against in violation of the law, we recommend you seek legal advice.