Systems Theory Framework: A Culturally Responsive Model for Career Guidance

By Michelle M. Lovasz

When broader shifting career contexts result in marginalization, practitioners can respond relevantly with the Systems Theory Framework of Career Development. This theory offers a model that allows for the writing of individual differences, presents a frame for co-constructing career guidance, and has the potential for individual career advocacy.

Counselor Educators, Working Identities and Constructing a Better, Healthier World

By Victoria Shivy

The COVID-19 pandemic has disrupted everyone’s personal and professional lives. Changes to work –already occurring— have accelerated, and no one can know what the ‘new normal’ will be. Working, including performing academic work, offers a personal source of fulfilment, structure, and identity, for our students and ourselves. But now, work itself, the context is in flux, to a degree that feels frightening and strange. How can counselors help construct a better, healthier world?

Hold onto Your Hats: The Multi-faceted Role of Career Practitioners During the COVID-19 Pandemic

By Michelle Tullier

The COVID-19 pandemic brings career, financial, medical, mental health, and logistical challenges for our clients. As independent practitioners, we can make a major, positive impact in others’ lives during this crisis by examining the sub-roles of a career development professional. These roles, or “HATS,” are Helper/Healer, Advisor, Teacher, and Strategist.

Learning by Doing: Tiny House Brings Community Together

By Caroline Bertrand

Community support allowed a school to build a livable tiny house on wheels and teach students technical skills and team work. This article describes how a comprehensive high school partnered with business community stakeholders to assist with students’ career exploration activities in the construction industry.

Engaging Faculty: Strategies for College Career Services

By Clemente I. Diaz and Valeria Diaz

Reports indicate that students view faculty as the most valuable source of career advice. Our survey identified how faculty currently incorporate career-related themes into their courses, why they may not focus on student career development, and what services/resources they would like college career services to provide faculty. The results from this survey may be useful for engaging and developing faculty buy-in.

Exploring and Addressing Generalized Anxiety Disorder in the Workplace

By Eda Talushllari

Most recently, the population has been dealing with the novel Coronavirus (COVID-19) global pandemic. Due to the uncertainty and fear in the world from the Coronavirus, it is natural for individuals to experience higher anxiety levels. It is important for career counselors to understand the impact that anxiety and anxiety disorders have on clients to best assist them during this stressful time in history.

Dear NCDA Community

A Message from NCDA Headquarters

NCDA is taking steps to ensure safety, information, and care are the center of our work and yours. View our message of concern and examples of resources (including specific Career Convergence articles) available during the COVID-19 world crisis.

Update Your Social Media with these Images to Encourage Flattening the Curve and Practice Social Distancing

You may want to update your social media or websites with messages that encourage everyone to flatten the curve and practice social distancing. This could be useful for the people you support too. Some of your clients may be self-employed, some of your students may be freelancing in communications and some of your organizations may need a helping hand with social media or websites about COVID-19. Here are a few time-saving resources that are free to use, without having to give credit to the creators. 

Social Distancing Graphics from NCDA - free collection of simple done-for-you images created by the NCDA communications team. You can add your logo or use them as-is. Please freely use these in your social media headers and posts and on websites, without having to give credit to us. 

Canva - free collection of done-for-you colourful graphics from Canva, who created this collection with the World Health Organization.  Please freely use these in your social media headers and posts and on websites, without having to give credit to Canva or WHO. And find more here too.

Unsplash - free curated album of 150+ visuals for use in your communications about coronavirus. These fall under a creative commons license, that means you can use them freely without giving credit to the photographers or the Unsplash. This site has countless more you can use for other purposes as well.

Tech Tip submitted by Ali Breen and the NCDA Communications team. abreen@ncda.org