Seed Coach FAQs
Do I need to be Stanford affiliated to apply? Do I need to have an MBA to apply?
No. Applicants do not have to be Stanford affiliated or have an MBA in order to apply.
What is required and how do I apply for the Seed Coach program?
In order to apply for the Seed Coach program, prospective applicants must complete the online application. Along with basic information, the online application asks for three 500 word essays, information regarding your industry and functional expertise, a resume, and a 250 word professional bio. After round one of the selection process, we will also request two to three references.
When and for how long will I be in Africa?
Priority will be given to applicants who can commit to being in Africa for longer periods of time (i.e., up to one year). Coach teams typically depart twice a year--once in March and once in September.
Are there any requirements or preferences in terms of foreign language proficiency?
Yes. Applicants need to have native to fluent proficiency in English. In addition, because Seed operates in some Francophone countries, native to conversational proficiency in French is desired but not required.
Do I have to be a U.S. citizen or permanent resident to apply?
No. Applicants do not have to be U.S. citizens or permanent residents in order to apply. However, Seed may not be able to assist non-U.S. Citizens and non-permanent residents in applying for visas, etc.
What are the eligibility requirements for the Seed Coach position? What skills and/or characteristics do you look for in a candidate?
In general, we seek candidates who have strong business experience, who are open-minded, who are adaptable, who are able to thrive in new contexts, and who are team-oriented. The ideal candidate is someone who is hungry for new challenges, adventure, and opportunities to continue growing and learning.
What's the average number of years of work experience of a Seed coach?
While there is a range, the majority of coaches have about 30 years of professional work experience and have a wide range of industry backgrounds.
What is the selection and interview process like? When should I expect to hear back? How can I best prepare for my interview?
The selection process for the Seed Coach position involves three rounds. The first round is a holistic review of a candidate's application material. Selected candidates will then be invited to a second round for a 30-minute phone interview. For the third and final round, candidates will come to the Seed office at Stanford University for an in-person interview. After each stage, we expect it to take up to two to three weeks to notify candidates of their application status.
If accepted into the program, will there be any training? If so, when and where will the training be held, and what type of training will be provided?
Seed will organize pre-departure and in-country training for coaches. Typically, the pre-departure training takes place within a month or two of the departure date. Training will leverage Stanford's resources and vary from cultural orientations to specific business topics (i.e.,. Supply Chain) to effective coaching and mentoring. The purpose of the training is to prepare coaches and to maximize their potential for impact for work on-the-ground.
What costs are covered by Seed? What costs do I need to cover?
The benefits Seed provides coaches are designed to provide a comfortable but basic quality of life. Depending on the individual's spending habits and desired quality of life, coaches may need to budget additional funds to cover costs.
Will Seed provide assistance to help me move to Africa?
Yes. Seed will provide logistical support with visas (U.S. citizen and permanent residents ONLY), vaccinations, flights, general country advice and information. Coaches will be responsible for personal matters like managing assets (cars, house/properties, etc.).
If I am in the program, will I be allowed to leave and/or take vacation?
Yes. However, we ask that coaches limit their vacations to three weeks total.
I would like to better understand the role of a coach. What are some previous projects coaches have worked on? What does a coach do in a typical work day?
Each business coach typically works closely with a portfolio of companies throughout their experience. Coaches collaborate with local executives to develop and implement transformation plans, with the aim of transforming the companies into industry leaders within the next decade. All aspects of management—leadership, design, finance, marketing, supply chain, and much more—factor into these plans. Coaches and companies often meet daily, and regional travel is required.
How often will I be traveling within the region?
Travel is an integral part of the Seed Coach position. Coaches will often visit their company's site and/or office. The exact amount of travel depends on the coach. Some may travel 25% of the time while other coaches travel more than 50% of the time.
What are the risk and safety concerns? What happens in case of an emergency?
For minor emergencies, we have field staff that can provide support and assistance. For major emergencies, we have international medical health insurance and emergency evacuation insurance.
If I am interested and able, may I stay longer than one year?
While extensions are not guaranteed, coaches may express their interest to extend their time as a coach. Seed will evaluate these cases on an individual basis, taking into consideration coach performance, company feedback, and Seed's overall strategy.
