In this episode LaChish Rigg, owner of LJR Training and Coaching and Past President of the New Jersey Career Development Association, hosts Steph Jones, a minister, marriage and family therapist, and mindfulness life coach. Both LaChish and Steph work in the school counseling arena, while balancing other roles in the career development space. Their conversation captures the importance of having empathy in your career, teaching, or training roles, while also establishing healthy boundaries. They also share actionable ways to set realistic expectations and incorporate self-care strategies throughout your day, and in your professional interactions with clients and students.

More Information about LaChish and Steph:

LaChish J. Rigg is the owner of LJR Training & Coaching, a private practice based in South Florida offering the Facilitating Career Development (FCD) training course along with career coaching services. LaChish has over 15 years of experience in higher education, including experience providing career and academic advising services to diverse populations. She also has experience as a K-12 teacher, college instructor and workshop presenter. She teaches high school social science courses, college and career readiness courses and has presented workshops on resume writing, networking, interview skills, and job fair professionalism. She is a counseling student and talk show host for the Black Mental Health Matters show. She served as President of the New Jersey Career Development Association, Sub-committee co-chair of the New Jersey Association for Multicultural Counseling, and Member-at-large for the Middle Atlantic Career Counseling Association. Her educational background includes graduate studies in counseling, education, and business. Connect with LaChish:

• www.linkedin.com/in/lachishrigg 
• www.youtube.com/@ljrtrainingandcoaching
• https://www.instagram.com/ljrtrainingandcoaching/

Steph Jones (Lilac Calandra) is a minister, marriage and family therapist, and mindfulness life coach whose life mission is to assist people back to the road of peace, wholeness, and wellness. She encourages full expression of emotions, open honest conversations, high levels of self-awareness, and uses meditation to help people discover the best versions of themselves. Connect with Steph:

• https://www.linkedin.com/in/stephanie-jones-mft-597b94211/
• https://www.youtube.com/@SelahMindset/videos
• https://www.facebook.com/SelahMindset/

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This episode features a conversation about the use of artificial intelligence (AI) in career development services. Melissa Venable hosts Dr. Bret Anderson of h2 Communication, LLC and Leeann Fields of the University of Nevada, Las Vegas. They discuss the benefits and challenges of using AI tools, sharing examples from their own work. The discussion includes ethical considerations for using AI-generated content, the value of skepticism to vet new tools, and the need for critical thinking by both career practitioners an their students and clients when making decisions about what tools to use, including AI. Cost and budgeting concerns are also discussed. 

More about Bret and Leeann:

Dr. Bret Anderson is President of h2 Communication, LLC, providing job readiness training, executive coaching, and frontline leadership development.

Leeann Fields serves as the Executive Director of the Office of Educational Compliance at the University of Nevada Las Vegas. She has rich experience and leadership in online education coming to UNLV after 16 years with the University of Colorado Denver as a Senior Instructor and Instructional Designer. Prior to that, Leeann served as the head of Quality Assurance for the Cooperative Program for Operational Meteorology, Education and Training (COMET), in Boulder, CO. Her special interest wherever she has worked has been in creating opportunities for growth through professional development offerings. Leeann holds an M.A. in administration, supervision, and curriculum development with an emphasis in instructional technology from University of Colorado Denver’s (UCD) School of Education. 

RESOURCES

• CCSP - Certified Career Services Provider
• CPRW - Certified Professional Resume Writer
• Growth Mindset vs Fixed Mindset
• RAND Veterans Study [PDF]
• ChatGPT
• Gemini

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In this episode, NCDA Professional Development Director Melissa Venable meets with Ken Meeker to discuss Disability Pride Month. Ken is a writer, speaker, podcaster and Certified Professional Coach providing services through his company, Vitality Career Coaching LLC. Ken is also a member of NCDA’s Diversity Initiatives and Cultural Inclusion Committee and a recent graduate of NCDA’s Leadership Academy.

The conversation provides an introduction to Disability Pride Month and recommended resources for career development professionals who may be working with students or clients who have disabilities. Ken emphasizes that you don’t have to be an expert in disability services, but you can build a network that includes this kind of expertise. We can also be proactive in asking questions, finding effective resources, and expanding our awareness and advocacy related to diversity, equity, and inclusion. 

Resources

• Rocky Mountain ADA Center Course Catalog
• ADA National Network
• Job Accommodation Network - Ask Jan
• Vitality Career Coaching

More information about Ken Meeker:

Ken Meeker is the owner of Vitality Career Coaching LLC, a boutique leadership, executive, and career coaching company. In addition to one-on-one client coaching, Ken develops customized workshops and training tailored to the unique needs of business clients. Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, Justice, and Accessibility consulting are essential aspects of his work. Ken is a Certified Professional Coach, Certified ADA Coordinator, and has extensive DEI training and education, participated in numerous seminars and summits, and is Inclusive Behaviors Inventory Certified. Several national organizations have featured him as a presenter or panelist for discussions on workplace inclusivity, disability inclusion, accessibility, and other topics. He is a graduate of the AFB Blind Leaders Development Program, National Career Development Association’s Leadership Academy 2023-24 Fellow, and received the 2023 AFB Llura Gund National Leadership Award.

Additionally, Ken is the creator and host of the “Dissing My Ability" Podcast and has appeared on several other shows and podcasts. Ken is a regular contributor to the Bold Blind Beauty lifestyle magazine, Beyond Sight and serves on the NCDA private practice advisory board. Prior to launching his business, he was the Career Specialist for a comprehensive vocational rehabilitation program serving blind/low vision adults. Ken held leadership roles in the commercial insurance industry for many years and maintains an active agent license in Arizona, providing him with key knowledge and insight for businesses on topics such as: discrimination, employment practices, and other important risk management related topics.

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In this episode, Melissa Venable hosts Dr. Pankaj Desai from NCDA’s International Student Services Committee (ISSC). This conversation introduces the annual ISSC Mini-Conference taking place on Friday, August 9, 10:00-4:00pm CST.

The virtual conference theme – Charting Your Course: Career Navigation for International Students in a Changing Landscape – includes presentations related to mental health, artificial intelligence, setting up a private practice, non-linear career paths, and more. The discussion also includes information about the International Student Services Committee and how you can get involved. 

Registration is free and open to all NCDA members, and attendance earns up to 5 CEs.

• Registration Form
• Information and Agenda

 Resources

• ISSC and other NCDA Committees
• ISSC YouTube Channel

 More Information About Dr. Desai

Dr. Pankaj Desai currently serves The Career Center at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign as the Senior Assistant Director for Inclusion Initiatives. Dr. Desai has a Ph.D. in Educational Studies from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln. Multiculturalism in higher education, career development, international student support, globalization in education, college student persistence and engagement, and student development are some of his areas of interest. Dr. Desai currently serves the NCDA International Student Services Committee as the Chair of the annual mini-conference planning committee. Dr. Desai is also associated with ACPA as the Chair of the Commission for Global Dimensions of Student Development. 

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Today’s job seekers face a host of challenges from ageism and ghosting to artificial intelligence tools and one-way interviews. This episode captures a conversation about these challenges with two members of the New Jersey Career Development Association’s Board of Directors. Jeanetta Warren is the founder and CEO of JW Professional Writing Services. Paul Cecala is the author of Take Control of Your Job Search and founder of Cecala Career Consultants, LLC.

The discussion includes consideration of the employer side of the job search and the new technologies increasingly used by both companies and applicants. Jeanetta and Paul share strategies you can use to help your students and clients enhance their approach to preparing for the unique issues of today’s economy, set realistic expectations, and maximize their efforts to connect with hiring managers.

Resources

• Workable - Recruiting Software
• Spark Hire - Interview Software
• Yoodli - Interview Prep
• Turbocharge Your Resume - Jeanetta's Course
• Take Control of Your Job Search - Paul's Book

More information about Jeanetta and Paul:

Jeanetta Warren is the visionary founder and CEO of JW Professional Writing Services, a global premium career branding agency. Jeanetta is a career branding strategist, professional resume writer, LinkedIn profile transformation expert, digital course creator, and educator. She has a master’s degree in administrative science from Fairleigh Dickinson University and a bachelor's degree in behavioral science from Wilmington University.

Jeanetta is an advocate for DEIB in the workplace. She actively seeks opportunities to support students graduating from college and underrepresented professionals on their career journeys. Jeanetta was nominated for the Delaware Valley HR Consultant of the Year in 2024.

Paul Cecala specializes in creating job search project plans and is recognized for his empathetic listening skills. He has assisted people from a variety of backgrounds with expertise in DEI&B (Diversity, Equity, Inclusion & Belonging), aviation, business leadership, project management, technology, pharma/biotech, and healthcare. Since 1999 Paul has assisted over 4000 job seekers ranging from C-Suite executives to college students. 

Paul currently facilitates job seeker networking groups for four different organizations. He has helmed the adult professional education programs for 2 colleges and a NJ Dept. of Labor One- Stop Career Center. Paul has his BS in Psychology from Florida Institute of Technology. He has published two books and numerous articles on career coaching in a variety of publications.

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This conversation with NCDA President Carolyn Jones provides an overview of the 2024 Global Career Development Conference and reflections on recent accomplishments. Carolyn shares details about the conference theme, The Interconnection of Career Development and Mental Health: Strategies and Techniques to promote Well-Being and Success, and encourages participation in the on-site and virtual events. 

More information about the on-site conference, to be held in person June 26-28 in San Diego, California, can be found on the Conference Home Page.  Registration for the virtual option is also open - the virtual event will be available July 22 through October 31, 2024.

For more about the International Student Services Committee's Annual Mini-Conference on August 9th, watch this page for updates.

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In this episode, Dr. Bret Anderson sheds light on the multifaceted shifts that are altering the fabric of the corporate world. Discover the connections between DEI initiative, artificial intelligence, and legislation as they shape the hiring process for many employers. Bret also shares his expertise in the development and use of employer-fit algorithms, and tools that evaluate job applicants beyond resumes, analyzing everything from speech patterns to facial expressions. The discussion includes recent EEOC guidelines to prevent bias and ensure fairness across all candidate backgrounds. Bret shares his insights on maintaining authenticity in the AI hiring era and offers strategic advice for companies seeking to leverage these technologies without sacrificing the human touch. This conversation reaffirms the necessity of access to career guidance for all.

Dr. Bret Anderson is President of h2 Communication, LLC, providing job readiness training, executive coaching, and frontline leadership development.

Resources

• Are Companies Quiet Quitting DEI? - Forbes
• Inclusion, Equity, and Diversity - Littler Survey Report 2024
• Presentation Slides - Bret Anderson

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Learn more about the work of NCDA’s Government Relations Committee! In this episode Co-Chairs Shelby McIntyre and Elle O’Flaherty share the work of this vital, volunteer committee to help shape NCDA’s nonpartisan policy platform, provide resources to career development professionals, and bring attention to state-level legislation. They emphasize how you can make a difference for your community, students, and clients, through both awareness and collective action. You are also invited to participate in future projects and connect with Shelby and Elle for more information or to get involved.

Shelby McIntyre is a career counselor at Pasadena City College and Elle O’Flaherty is the Founder of Interlace Solutions. 

Resources

• Advocacy in Action: How New Legislation Will Transform Career Development - NCDA Webinar with Shelby McIntyre and Elle O'Flaherty
• NCDA Government Relations Committee
• NCDA Advocacy Alerts, Reports & News

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This episode is the third in a three-part series of conversations about career development and collaborative negotiation with Justin Wright (moderator), Tad Mayer, and Carly Inkpen – authors of Finding a Job that Loves You Back. They are joined by Courtney Warnsman, NCDA Trustee for Private Practice, Business-Industry and Agencies. 

It is not uncommon to reach mid- or later career and not be sure that’s where you want to be. How are the career questions that people face different at this career stage? This conversation addresses mindset, changing fulfillment needs, access to resources, exploring new possibilities, and evaluating potential challenges and risks with compassion and advocacy in mind - shifting from guide to collaborator.

• Episode 1 - Coaching, Advising, and Counseling Skills: When Do you Use Each one?
• Episode 2 - Working with Reluctant Networkers

Learn more about the panel participants:

Carly Inkpen is a social worker, writer, and visual artist. In each of these roles, they explore trauma, gender, migration, and how people inhabit their bodies as they move through the world. Carly holds an MSW from Smith College School for Social Work and a BA from the University of Arizona. They work as a psychotherapist and are currently training to practice as a psychedelic therapist. Carly's writing projects focus on gender identity, third culture kid experience, science fiction as social commentary, and psychoanalytic theory. 

Tad Mayer is a deeply curious one-on-one interaction junkie dedicated to rescuing clients’ inspiration and reaching that “A ha!” moment. He is focused on understanding motivation, enhancing behavior, and improving effectiveness. Tad is a career consultant and partner at Essex Partners, a national outplacement firm dedicated to helping senior executives find the right path forward. Tad’s previous professional roles have spanned Stage Electrician at Ballet West, Media Planner at DDB, Manager of Domestic Pricing at Northwest Airlines (now Delta), Director of Partner Marketing at Sheraton Hotels, and Director of Commercial & Corporate Programs at Mediation Works Incorporated (MWI). 

Courtney Warnsman, Ph.D. has been a career development facilitator for nearly 20 years. She works at Austin Career Connections in Austin delivering career transition and development services to individual clients across functional roles and industries. She is an Executive Development Program Consultant for the Baylor University Executive MBA Program and was recently tapped to serve on the advisory board of The Chiral Project, a startup venture exploring the unique challenges that women have experienced as they have either chosen or been forced to step back professionally during the Covid-19 Pandemic. Courtney received her Bachelor’s, Master’s and Doctoral degrees from the University of Texas at Austin.

Justin Wright is the CEO of Habitus, a certified B Corporation. His work focuses on facilitating complex decision-making processes and coordinating collaboration between multiple stakeholders to empower collective action. Justin has worked with organizations including PolicyLink, the Other and Belonging Institute, MIT Office of Sustainability, and the B Corp Climate Collect to further their commitments to social justice, racial equity, and environmental sustainability. Justin seeks out this kind of work because of his Quaker commitment to peace, equality, and stewardship. 

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This episode is the second in a three-part series of conversations about career development and collaborative negotiation with Justin Wright (moderator), Tad Mayer, and Carly Inkpen – authors of Finding a Job that Loves You Back. They are joined by Courtney Warnsman, NCDA Trustee for Private Practice, Business-Industry and Agencies. 

The discussion describes networking as a fundamental concept of connecting with other people, with an understanding that every conversation is a kind of negotiation or exchange. The challenges faced by those with trauma histories and doubts about the possibility of trusting relationships are also addressed.

• Episode 1 - Coaching, Advising, and Counseling Skills: When Do you Use Each one?
• Episode 3 - Working with Mid- and Late-Career Clients

Learn more about the panel participants:

Carly Inkpen is a social worker, writer, and visual artist. In each of these roles, they explore trauma, gender, migration, and how people inhabit their bodies as they move through the world. Carly holds an MSW from Smith College School for Social Work and a BA from the University of Arizona. They work as a psychotherapist and are currently training to practice as a psychedelic therapist. Carly's writing projects focus on gender identity, third culture kid experience, science fiction as social commentary, and psychoanalytic theory.

Tad Mayer is a deeply curious one-on-one interaction junkie dedicated to rescuing clients’ inspiration and reaching that “A ha!” moment. He is focused on understanding motivation, enhancing behavior, and improving effectiveness. Tad is a career consultant and partner at Essex Partners, a national outplacement firm dedicated to helping senior executives find the right path forward. Tad’s previous roles  span Stage Electrician at Ballet West, Media Planner at DDB, Manager of Domestic Pricing at Northwest Airlines (now Delta), Director of Partner Marketing at Sheraton Hotels, and Director of Commercial & Corporate Programs at Mediation Works Incorporated (MWI).

Courtney Warnsman, Ph.D., a career development facilitator for nearly 20 years, works at Austin Career Connections in Austin delivering career transition and development services to individual clients across functional roles and industries. She is an Executive Development Program Consultant for the Baylor University Executive MBA Program and was recently tapped to serve on the advisory board of The Chiral Project, a startup venture exploring the unique challenges that women have experienced as they have either chosen or been forced to step back professionally during the Covid-19 Pandemic. Courtney received her Bachelor’s, Master’s and Doctoral degrees from the University of Texas at Austin.

Justin Wright is the CEO of Habitus, a certified B Corporation. His work focuses on facilitating complex decision-making processes and coordinating collaboration between multiple stakeholders to empower collective action. Justin has worked with organizations including PolicyLink, the Other and Belonging Institute, MIT Office of Sustainability, and the B Corp Climate Collect to further their commitments to social justice, racial equity, and environmental sustainability. Justin seeks out this kind of work because of his Quaker commitment to peace, equality, and stewardship. 

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This episode is the first in a three-part series with Justin Wright (moderator), Tad Mayer, and Carly Inkpen - authors of Finding a Job that Loves You Back -  who are joined by Courtney Warnsman, NCDA Trustee for Private Practice, Business-Industry and Agencies. The discussion begins with the development of working definitions of coaching, advising, and counseling as they relate to roles, methodologies, and skills and encourages using different approaches for different needs when working with clients within an ethical scope of practice.

• Episode 2 – Working with Reluctant Networkers
• Episode 3 – Working with Mid- and Late-Career Clients

Learn more about the panel participants:

Carly Inkpen is a social worker, writer, and visual artist. In each of these roles, they explore trauma, gender, migration, and how people inhabit their bodies as they move through the world. Carly holds an MSW from Smith College School for Social Work and a BA from the University of Arizona. They work as a psychotherapist and are currently training to practice as a psychedelic therapist. Carly's writing projects focus on gender identity, third culture kid experience, science fiction as social commentary, and psychoanalytic theory. Their peer-reviewed article "Fabulousness - What the Doctor Ordered: Exploring the Intrapsychic Significance and Social Meanings of Fashion" was recently published in Psychoanalytic Social Work.

Tad Mayer is a deeply curious one-on-one interaction junkie dedicated to rescuing clients’ inspiration and reaching that “A ha!” moment. He is focused on understanding motivation, enhancing behavior, and improving effectiveness. Tad is a career consultant and partner at Essex Partners, a national outplacement firm dedicated to helping senior executives find the right path forward. Tad’s previous professional roles have spanned Stage Electrician at Ballet West, Media Planner at DDB, Manager of Domestic Pricing at Northwest Airlines (now Delta), Director of Partner Marketing at Sheraton Hotels, and Director of Commercial & Corporate Programs at Mediation Works Incorporated (MWI). He has an MBA from The Tuck School at Dartmouth College and a BS in Communication Studies from Northwestern University.

Courtney Warnsman, Ph.D. has been a career development facilitator for nearly 20 years. She works at Austin Career Connections in Austin delivering career transition and development services to individual clients across functional roles and industries. She is an Executive Development Program Consultant for the Baylor University Executive MBA Program and was recently tapped to serve on the advisory board of The Chiral Project, a startup venture exploring the unique challenges that women have experienced as they have either chosen or been forced to step back professionally during the Covid-19 Pandemic. Courtney received her Bachelor’s, Master’s and Doctoral degrees from the University of Texas at Austin.

Justin Wright is the CEO of Habitus, a certified B Corporation. His work focuses on facilitating complex decision-making processes and coordinating collaboration between multiple stakeholders to empower collective action. Justin has worked with organizations including PolicyLink, the Other and Belonging Institute, MIT Office of Sustainability, and the B Corp Climate Collect to further their commitments to social justice, racial equity, and environmental sustainability. Justin seeks out

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This episode features a conversation with Yoko Kono, Director of Careers and Partnerships at the College Board, and Aurelia Moss, an experienced educator and middle and high school counselor. The conversation is led by NCDA’s Celeste Hall. Celeste has a long history with NCDA including serving as the Trustee for School Counselors and Specialists on the NCDA Board.

Most people think about College Board in terms of college admissions only (i.e., PSAT, SAT). But College Board’s mission is to connect all students to opportunities after high school with a goal of providing every student with the tools to make informed decisions about their future. This conversation includes information and actionable strategies for working with high school students.

Yoko Kono, Director of Careers and Partnerships at the College Board, has dedicated nearly a decade to the organization. Her focus lies in creating research-backed resources that empower students by enhancing their awareness of diverse career paths. With 15+ years of experience across U.S. and international contexts and a master’s degree in International Comparative Education from Stanford University, Yoko brings a wealth of insights to her role in advancing career and educational opportunities for students worldwide.

Aurelia Moss is a retired high school counselor with more than 32 years of experience as a Mathematics teacher, School Counselor, and Assistant Principal. As a school counselor, Aurelia was known for her passion in assisting students in post-secondary planning, regardless of the career paths they desired to pursue. During her career, Aurelia has served in the public and private school sectors, elementary, middle school, high school, rural, suburban, and urban settings. Aurelia credits her high school counselor, Mrs. Wilhelmina Dean at Savannah High School in Savannah, Georgia for guidance that she provided during Aurelia’s college admissions and financial aid process. Aurelia serves on the Chatham County Department of Family and Children Services Board of Directors and the Advisory Board for Tharros Place, a residential shelter for teenage girls that are survivors of human trafficking. Aurelia is a member of the Georgia School Counselors Association.

Celeste Hall, Coordinator of Career Coaching Certification for Virginia’s Community Colleges is a life-long educator. She currently provides training for career coaches, academic advisors, faculty and staff in career development concepts. She has been a teacher and counselor in K-12 schools and taught career development courses at the master’s degree level. Leadership roles in NCDA have included state chapter president, K-12 representative on the FCD Advisory Council, (now TEC) and the Board of Directors. She currently serves as the Credentialing Commissioner for the Certified School Career Development Advisor credential and as the editor for the K-12 section of NCDA’s Career Developments magazine.

RESOURCES

• College Board 
• BigFuture
• BigFuture-NCDA Family and Caring Adult  Table Talk Guide to Student Career Exploration and Planning - (PDF) – a College Board and NCDA collaboration 
• BigFuture Counselor Toolkit
• Career Insights Snapshot – connecting PSAT scores to high-demand careers at the state-level (coming Spring 2024)

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This episode explores the mission and work of the Coalition for Career Development (CCD) Center. Dr. Sharon Givens, a past president of NCDA and CEO of Training Visions, hosts CCD Board Member and former Chair Dr. Bryan Albrecht, current Board Chair Dr. Annette Parker, and CEO Dr. Eva Mitchell. Dr. Givens also serves as a current CCD Board Member.

Demographics are shifting and the world is changing. The U.S. needs to prepare a premier workforce to maintain a role as a world leader and economic stability. The CCD’s founding was driven by industry to address the gap now taking place in the workforce. Its work is grounded in research to identify and understand what’s happening in schools and align that with what’s happening in industry. The discussion includes ways that career development professionals, education and training institutions, and business and industry leaders can expand their efforts and partnerships to accomplish this work at the community level creating access to career development guidance, training, and support as a right, not a privilege.

RESOURCES

Coalition for Career Development Center

Ways you can engage with the CCD:

• Subscribe to the newsletter.
• Learn about partnerships.
• Share your resources with the Center.

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This episode continues our “Career Development Around the World” series led by Dr. Lakeisha Mathews. Lakeisha is joined by Elizabeth Thomas, an American career counselor working in Vienna, Austria. Elizabeth shares her personal experiences with the challenges of working, and looking for work, outside of your home country. From language barriers and work permit requirements to labor market needs and local hiring practices, it’s important to understand requirements, set expectations, and prepare for success.

Elizabeth also shares her perspective on career development work in Austria, which is often connected to career coaching and international relations. The conversation emphasizes the importance of the hidden job market around the world, the different role career can play in personal identity across cultures, and the many valuable skills that expats develop, such as problem solving and persistence.

Guest Bio

Elizabeth Thomas holds a Master of Arts in Counseling Psychology with a specialization in Career Counseling & Development from the University of Missouri – Columbia (USA). While a graduate student, Elizabeth worked in the MU Career Center, recognized as one of the most programmatically diverse centers in the country. Subsequently, Elizabeth continued helping university students in a career development context and, since moving to Vienna, Austria, in 2018, international and expatriate women. She has published and presented on a host of career development topics, most recently serving as the “Career Chat” columnist for the American Women’s Association of Vienna. Elizabeth is particularly interested in helping clients, no matter their age or stage, creatively and successfully navigate life transitions and discover how their unique talents, skills, abilities, and interests connect meaningfully to the world of work.

Resources

• Super’s Career Rainbow
• Krumboltz – Planned Happenstance
• NCDA’s Global Connections Committee
• NCDA on LinkedIn

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The National Career Development Association is excited to celebrate the 20th anniversary of NCDA’s Career Convergence web magazine! In this episode, Career Convergence Editor Melanie Reinersman leads a conversation about how this free, online publication can be used as a resource in your career development work. Melanie is joined by Field Editor Mason Murphy, Co-Associate Features Editor, Candina “Dina” Janicki, and Associate Editor for Post-Secondary, Billie Streufert.

The discussion focuses on practical tips for using the magazine to research and apply career development models, identify best practices, explore current trends, inform your research and writing, spark discussion in a training session, and source ideas for a course assignment. The current archive of more than 1,500 articles also offers an historical perspective on work in the field.

Listen in to learn how Career Convergence can keep you updated on the ongoing changes in the career development field, as well as in the needs of the diverse populations career practitioners serve. The conversation also includes tips for submitting your work to the publication.

Have a question or want to learn more? Contact Melanie or a member of the editorial team. All editors welcome emails from potential contributors!

Resources

• Career Convergence Web Magazine
• Submission Guidelines
• How to Subscribe

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This episode continues our “Career Development Around the World” series led by NCDA Past President Dr. Lakeisha Mathews. And it’s our first bilingual episode. Lakeisha is joined by Marcela Mesa and Maria Clara Leal. Marcela is a psychologist and GCDF in Colombia. She is also co-chair of NCDA’s Global Connections Committee. Maria Clara is a psychologist and career guidance expert whose background in Colombia includes work with public policy and government agencies. She joins the conversation from Spain, with Katherine who provides translation.

Unemployment rates are high in Colombia and there is a gap between what employers need and what they can find in job candidates. The many challenges include population changes related to immigration, the high school to work and college transition, and differing career development needs of those at different career stages. Marcela and Maria Clara share information about current programs and innovations in Colombia, conducting research that connects career development work to the economy, and the emergence of a socio-occupational guidance model that addresses the dynamic nature of society and the labor market.

Marcela Mesa is a MSc Psychologist and GCDF in Cali, Colombia, with 24+ years of experience delivering career services in private practice, founder and CEO of Orientarte in Colombia (www.orientarte.com) and in the U.S., Orientarte LLC (www.liveyourdreamcareer.com ) aiming to deliver career services for Latinos living in the U.S. She can be reached at mmesa1019@gmail.com

Maria Clara Leal  is a Psychologist with a Masters Degree in Anthropology and a Career Guidance Expert. For over a decade, from 2008 to 2020, Maria Clara Leal played a pivotal role in shaping Colombia's public policy on career guidance. Her contributions extended to various government agencies, including the Ministry of National Education, the Presidential Agency, the Ministry of Information and Telecommunications, the Family Welfare Institute, and the Secretary of Education in Bogotá. She can be reached at mariaclaralealmurillo@gmail.com

RESOURCES

• Reporte: El Futuro del Trabajo en América Latina 
• Colombia: Economía y demografía
• Nuevas tendencias del mercado laboral en 2023 
• Estas son las principales tendencias del mercado laboral para este 2023
• Tendencias del mercado laboral en 2023: ¿Qué valoran los trabajadores
• ESTADÍSTICAS DE DESERCIÓN Y PERMANENCIA EN EDUCACIÓN SUPERIOR SPADIES 3.0 - Indicadores 2021 
• Diana Marcela Durán Muriel. Educación Superior en Cifras Edición No. 2 – II Semestre de 2023 Tránsito de la Educación Media a la Educación Superior: análisis comparativo del periodo 2016-2021 
• O

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In this episode, Dr. Sujata Ives talks with Melissa Venable, NCDA Director of Professional Development, about the important role of leadership in a world that is growing more diverse. Dr. Ives is the 2023 recipient of NCDA’s Diversity Initiative Award and the current president of the Maryland Career Development Association. She has a genetic condition that affects her vocal cords so that they don’t close completely, resulting in what she describes as a "jiggly" voice. 

What role are you taking in creating a world you can be proud of? Sujata shares her personal history adapting to a new culture and maintaining motivation for leadership work through experiencing self-discovery, developing change readiness, and focusing on sustainable impact at the individual level and locally. Sujata shares how she is incorporating these interests into her project as a current member in NCDA’s Leadership Academy. The conversation also explores ways we can all engage with NCDA’s growing international membership and issues a call for increased attention to mental health in career development.

RESOURCES:

• NCDA’s Global Connections Committee
• United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)

BIO:
Dr. Sujata Ives is a Workplace Global Consultant and the 2023 recipient of NCDA’s Diversity Initiative Award. She is currently in the NCDA Leadership Academy. She is president of the Maryland Career Development Association, where she also is Newsletter Editor and PR chair.

Sujata is the Chair of the American Counseling Association’s International Committee; the Co-chair of the Programming Committee of the Asia Pacific Career Development Association; Community Coordinator for the World Council on Interculturalism and Global Competency, UNESCO; and a Board Advisor on the NFL Alum Performance Lab. 

She is in private practice where she works with clients through the bio-psycho-social-cultural-spiritual model. Look out for her book launch in April 2024, titled: Activate Success: Tips, Tools, & Insights To Be a Leader in Your Niche. 

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In this episode, NCDA President Lakeisha Mathews (2022-2023) hosts Momoko Asaka, President of the Asia Pacific Career Development Association (APCDA) and CEO and Founder of Veriteworks, Inc. in Tokyo, Japan. Momoko shares that an aging population in Japan, with long life expectancy, is resulting in longer careers and post-retirement careers. The conversation includes the continued impact of remote work post-pandemic, and the increase in government support of career development. Japanese government agencies are picking up on the value of career development, career choice, career assessments, and other career decision making tools, as well as the importance of training career professionals to provide assistance. This is an example of how policy and career development can work together to support communities and the economy.

Resources

• Japan Career Development Association
• Planned Happenstance Theory - John Krumboltz

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In this episode, NCDA President (2022-2023) Lakeisha Mathews hosts Ivy Liao, CEO of People Achievement Consulting (PAC), an NCDA strategic partner in Taiwan, Greater China, and Southeast Asia. Ivy provides an overview of career development trends in the region, which include the effects of globalization and geopolitics, an aging workforce, economic transformation, and education and training on the workforce and labor market. The conversation includes current challenges faced by job seekers and how government agencies, educational institutions, and business and industry are working together to create a total solution for career development across the lifespan. The discussion also recognizes the importance of parents in career decision making in Asian cultures. 

Resources

NCDA Global Resources

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This episode features a conversation for National Career Development Month focused on wellness and career success. Cornelius Thomas, Co-Chair of NCDA’s annual Poetry and Art Contest hosts a discussion with Reno Palombit, Director of Career and Technical Education with Johnston County (NC) Public Schools, and Meredith Brown, Career Services Advisor at Rowan College at Burlington County in New Jersey.

The panelists share different perspectives on setting realistic expectations for work-life balance. They also emphasize that everyone learns strategies and boundaries over time and share some of the experiences, habits, and routines that have helped them to stay centered and find inspiration. The discussion includes the importance of self-care, the impact of Western culture on stress levels, and the toxicity of perfectionism.

Resources

• The 5am Club

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In this episode, Dr. Natasha Barnes, co-chair of NCDA’s Diversity Initiatives and Cultural Inclusion Committee, interviews Sterling Cruz-Herr, founder of TransClue, a trans-owned coaching, training, and consulting company. Sterling shares recent data related to gender identity and addresses the compounding effect of intersectionality on work and careers often experienced by transgender students and clients. The discussion includes mental health considerations, and the potential impact of support initiatives such as affinity groups and mentoring programs. Natasha and Sterling encourage leaders including career development professionals, to promote inclusive and equitable workplaces and practice humility as a helping skill when working with people from different cultural backgrounds. Contact Sterling Cruz-Herr at sch@transclue.com.

Resources

• Gender identity research – Pew Research Center
• U.S. Transgender Survey – National Center for Transgender Equality
• An Intimate View Into the Lives of Transgender Elders – Them.us

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This episode continues our “Career Development Around the World” series. NCDA President Dr. Lakeisha Mathews and Dr. Rita Chiesa share a conversation about career development trends in Italy. Dr. Chiesa is an associate professor in the Department of Psychology at Italy’s University of Bologna. The discussion includes the changing aspects of career planning and goal setting related to remote work and mobility, as well as the challenge of helping students and young professionals understand the importance of informed decision making to set realistic expectations for success. Dr. Chiesa also shares highlights of her current research into how young job seekers manage career uncertainties and explores the growing integration of career coaching strategies in a variety of career development and human resource settings. 

RESOURCES

Italian Society for Vocational Guidance

Guidance Systems in Italy – EuroGuidance, European Union

Vocational And Education Training in Italy – Erasmus, European Union

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In this episode, Dr. Bret Anderson shares his work developing employer-fit algorithm tools and experience with a variety of corporate cultures with NCDA's Director of Professional Development, Melissa Venable. Bret is the President of h2 Communication, LLC, which provides job readiness training, executive coaching, and frontline leadership development.

The conversation describes a current shift toward an expectation for work/life balance, led in large part by employees. The challenges of cross-generational workplaces are also addressed. Bret shares examples and observations about how different industries are reacting. The importance of understanding how all of this is impacting the individuals we are working with, along with ways to extend and augment traditional theories to meet the demands of quickly changing career development needs.

Resources

• CAP42 Employer-Fit Algorithm Assessment
• Toxic Culture is Driving the Great Resignation -  MIT Sloan Management Review
• Is Quiet Quitting Real? – GALLUP
• State of the Global Workplace: 2023 Report - GALLUP
• Interview with David Larry Blustein on The Psychology of Working – eScholarship@BostonCollege

Top Predictors of Employee Turnover (Sull, Sull & Zweig, 2022):

• 10.4% - Toxic Corporate Culture
• 3.5% - Job insecurity and Reorganization
• 3.2% - High Levels of Innovation
• 2.9% - Failure to Recognize Employee Performance
• 1.8% - Poor Response to COVID-19

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This episode continues our “Career Development Around the World” series. NCDA President Dr. Lakeisha Mathews hosts Alberto Puertas for a conversation about trends in career development in Latin America. A native of Peru, Alberto is an academic and career counselor, and international advising specialist at Brigham Young University. The conversation includes perspectives on similarities and differences across the globe, the ongoing need for government support, how we can validate career development work, and highlights of the work being done in Costa Rica.

Resources

• Revisita Latinoamericana de Orientacion 2015-2022
• International Association for Educational and Vocational Guidance - IAEVG

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This episode features a conversation between Jen Hartman and Dr. Galaxina Wright, two recent graduates of NCDA’s Counselor Educator Academy (CEA). Jen is a licensed mental health counselor at Oklahoma State University and Galaxina is an assistant professor in Nova Southeastern University’s Clinical Mental Health Counseling program. Their conversation about integrating mental health into career counseling course, as an extension of their CEA experience, learning how to support and teach future counselors about their role in career-related counseling. The discussion includes considerations about the overlap of mental health and career counseling, the need for trauma- and grief-informed strategies, and getting buy-in from programs and students.

Jen Hartman, EdS, LPC, RPT, NCC is a licensed mental health counselor and counselor educator. Her research interests include death and non-death loss, including career loss. She serves as the doctoral student representative on the Grief Counseling Competencies Task Force for the Association of Adult Development and Aging.

Galaxina G. Wright, Ph.D. NCC is an Assistant Professor at Nova Southeastern University in the Clinical Mental Health Counseling program. She earned her Ph.D. in Counselor Education and Supervision at the University of Central Florida. She completed her master’s degree in Marriage, Couple & Family Counseling from Regent University, and is currently a Registered Mental Health Counseling Intern (RMHCI) for the state of Florida working towards completing her hours for licensure. She is also the current President of the Florida Career Development Association (FCDA). Connect with Galaxina on LinkedIn.

Resources

Evermore. (2020, September). Bereavement facts and figures. https://live-evermore.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/11/Evermore-Bereavement-Facts-and-Figures-2020.pdf

Trauma Research Foundation. (2021, March 23). The compassionate manager: A trauma-sensitive approach to managing in the era of COVID-19. Trauma Research Foundation Blog. https://www.traumaresearchfoundation.org/blog/the-compassionate-manager-a-trauma-sensitive-approach-to-managing-in-the-era-of-covid-19?vgo_ee=5TMzeAxoXw0Goi99RnsFm2ijpVnRvP3wvT2tMwKBwhI%3D

Verdery, Smith-Greenaway, E., Margolis, R., & Daw, J. (2020). Tracking the reach of COVID-19 kin loss with a bereavement multiplier applied to the United States. Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences - PNAS, 117(30), 17695–17701. https://doi.org/10.1073/pnas.2007476117

SAMHSA Model of Wellness: https://mfpcc.samhsa.gov/ENewsArticles/Article12b_2017.aspx 

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