Career Practitioner Conversations with NCDA

This episode kicks off a series of conversations that originated with the DEI Symposium, held at NCDA’s 2024 Global Career Development Conference in San Diego, CA. Dr. Cheryl Love leads this conversation: State of the Union DEIBA Panel: Allyship, Accomplice, and the Mental and Emotional Costs Associated. Panelists include: Dr. Nathaniel Brown, Dr. Natasha Barnes-Gwynn, Kyle Inselman, and Dr. Alicia S. Monroe.

The panel discussions the impacts of the current political climate on social identities and career development and address the mental and emotional costs of being allies and accomplices in DEIBA work, emphasizing the importance of self-awareness, cultural competence, and servant leadership in supporting students and clients. The conversation also covers strategies for maintaining self-care, the significance of role models, and the ongoing need for training and community support in this critical work.

Cheryl Love, PhD is a Career Counselor and a College Specialist for the Arts, Humanities, School of Education and School of Public Policy in the Career Center at the University of California, Riverside. In this role she also serves as the Liaison to the African Student Programs, the Black Student Success Initiative, Basic Needs, UCR Transfer Work Group, and the Kessler Scholar Program.

Nathaniel Brown, PhD, CSWA, LMSW, LPC, NCC is a Licensed Professional Counselor, an Assistant Professor of Clinical Mental Health Counseling, and Clinical Director of Field Experience Placement in the counseling program at Johns Hopkins University.

Natasha Barnes-Gwynn Ed.D, GCDF, CCC, NCC is a Clinical Professor at Southern New Hampshire University. She also serves as a career consultant through her private practice, Increasing Our Understanding (I.O.U.) Consultation, LLC.

Kyle Inselman, MA, MEd, is the Director of Alumni Career & Professional Development at the University of Denver and also operates an independent career coaching practice, Pride in Your Path, LLC.

Dr. Alicia S. Monroe is a PK–20 experienced educator, international education consultant, and career coach. At Rowan University, she serves as Assistant Director, Strategic Initiatives in the Office of Career Advancement and adjunct faculty in the College of Education and the College of Humanities and Social Sciences. Dr. Monroe is also the CEO and founder of Solutions for Sustained Success, LLC. 

Resources

• NCDA's Diversity Initiatives and Cultural Inclusion (DICI) Committee
• NCDA Multicultural Competencies (currently in revision)
• NCDA Social Justice Resources

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/

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

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.

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. 

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.

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.

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

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

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.