OCDA Conference - Registration is Open!

Registration is now open for the 2022 OCDA Conference.

Click Here to Register

The 2022 OCDA Conference is a two-day conference, spanning from Thursday, May 19th to Friday, May 20th and will be held virtually through Zoom. Early bird registration will end on April 17th.

This year's theme is - The Future of Career Development: Build Your Toolkit for Now and the Future. As we move forward in supporting the journey that we and our clients/students go through today for the sake of tomorrow, we aim to build our toolkit of life-career resources. Join us for our virtual conference, where you will connect and share innovative experiences and ideas with career-driven colleagues. Take a moment to read through some of our amazing speaker's presentations, and watch the short videos that cover their content: click here for the breakout sessions. 

OCDA Awards: Final Call for Nominations

It's the final call for award nominations! We are accepting nominations through Friday, April 8th. Winners will receive a $100 honorarium, commemorative gift, free registration to the 2022 Conference, and will be recognized at the conference! 

Please take a moment to nominate your amazing colleagues! Read the award criteria below; links to the nomination forms included as well!

Outstanding Graduate Student Nomination - https://lnkd.in/en2rnCT7

• This award recognizes of the wonderful contributions that graduate students are already making to their respective field.
• Nominees must be a full-time student in Ohio, a masters or doctoral candidate, and in the field of career counseling, student affairs, college/student personnel or a related field.

Outstanding New Professional Nomination - https://lnkd.in/e4N4PkMx

• This award recognizes of an individual with less than five (5) years of full-time experience.
• This individual serves as a role model to students and professionals, demonstrates creativity/innovation in the field, and has great potential for continued success.

Bob Windle Leadership Nomination - https://lnkd.in/ePedzEzx

• The award is named in honor of Bob Windle, who won the award in 2011, for his exceptional contributions to OCDA and to career counseling, exploration, transition, and resilience.
• The Bob Windle Leadership Award recognizes practicing career counselors, consultants, or teachers for outstanding performance.
• Nominees must have at least eight (8) years of service in career development or a related field; demonstrated quality of service (such as innovative programs, recognition by local organizations, publications, awards, etc.); and service to professional association(s) at the local, state and/or national levels.

The Career Center for Career Centers

Career Placement Specialist

Cuyahoga Community College - Manufacturing Technology Center

Career Services Specialist

Cuyahoga Community College - Eastern Campus

Coordinator, Career Services and Student Employment

University of Akron - Akron Campus - Job ID: #13488

Nominate Leaders in the Career field!

Do you know any leaders in the field of career? Be sure to NOMINATE them for one of three OCDA Awards! These awards include:

Outstanding Graduate Student Award

Outstanding New Professional Award

The Bob Windle Leadership Award

Criteria for each award and links to nominate can be found on our 2022 Conference website or the OCDA website!

    

Call For Proposals: OCDA 2022 Conference

Submit your proposal to present at the OCDA 2022 Conference. OCDA's  Conference theme is The Future of Career Development: Build your Toolkit for Now and the Future. The Conference will take place on May 19th and 20th.

Proposals submissions are due by March 4th.

Submit Proposals HERE.

Register today for the Human Resources Association of Central Ohio (HRACO) Diversity and Leadership 2022 Virtual Leadership Conference! This conference will take place on February 8th and 9th. You can learn more about this conference as well as register by clicking here!

**PLEASE NOTE: Online registration is available until Monday, February 7th 2022**

Save the Date: 2022 OCDA Conference

NCDA Art and Poetry Contest

The Ohio Career Development Association is collecting submissions for the annual NCDA career-themed art and poetry contest. The theme this year is: "The Future of Work: The Role of Artificial Intelligence and Automation."

First place can win $150; second can win $125; and third can win $100!

Submissions are due by February 11th.

Click here to find out more information and the forms to submit!

Please feel free to submit your own pieces of art or share with any students or staff in your network who might want to participate!

HRACO Conference

Registration is now open for the HRACO Diversity and Leadership 2022 Virtual Conference, which will be held on February 8th and 9th. Click here to learn more and to register!

National Career Development Month

November is National Career Development Month! Be sure to join us for free engagement events, throughout the entire month, where you can virtually network with other career professionals and discuss career-related topics!

November 16^th, 1pm-2pm | Gameful Mentorship - Create Engaging Student-Employer Connections

OCDA is kicking off NCD month with a training as a way for members AND non-members to gain valuable knowledge to benefits clients and students. On Tuesday, November 16th from 1PM - 2PM, we will be completing this 1 CLOCK HOUR CEU ELIGIBLE training virtually via Zoom! 

Gamification is generally defined as the use of game-design elements in non-game concepts. The gameful mentorship program allows mentors to help students learn and apply career competencies and skills while networking with industry professionals. We will look at tools and resources used to create gameful activities with mentors. You’ll leave with ideas for immediate implementation into existing mentoring programs.

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November 17^th, 3:30pm-4:30pm | Coffee Chat Topic: Innovative Ideas for Engaging Clients and Students

OCDA is continuing NCD month with a "Coffee Chat" as a way for members to get to know one another and gain valuable insights. On Wednesday, November 17th from 3:30PM - 4:30PM, we will be meeting virtually via Zoom! 

The topic for our Coffee Chat is "Innovative Ideas For Engaging Clients and Students" The plan for this chat is to meet with other members to share and learn about innovative ideas and implemented programming! Come prepared to talk about any programs your office or organization has completed or any ideas you wish you could try with your populations! This is an informal virtual discussion, where you can share your own experiences and hear from others! 

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November 19^th, 12pm-1pm | "The Great Resignation": Employees Voice

OCDA is continuing NCD month with a training as a way for members AND non-members to gain valuable knowledge to benefit clients and students. On Friday, November 19th from 12PM - 1PM, we will be completing this 1 CLOCK HOUR CEU ELIGIBLE  training virtually via Zoom!

With "The Great Resignation" that occurred back in April 2021, employees across industries have spoken up about how they feel about the traditional ways of working. This mass exodus across sectors have shared insights with employers about how organizations need to take proactive steps in having robust conversations about employees career growth and development within their respective workplaces. Come and join an interactive session where we will discuss how to positively disrupt career development conversations in your own respective workplaces.

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November 22^nd, 4pm-4:30pm | Demo: Connect Clients to Virtual Work Experiences with Forage

OCDA is continuing NCD month with a demonstration as a way for members to gain valuable knowledge to benefit clients and students. On Monday, November 22nd from 4PM - 4:30PM, we will be viewing this demonstration of Forage virtually via Facebook Live!

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November 29^th, 3:30pm-4:30pm | Membership Meet-Up: Virtual Escape Room Experience!

OCDA is concluding NCD month with a Virtual Escape Room experience! Team up with other OCDA members to complete the escape room and gain ideas for how to develop your own escape room with individuals that you serve! This is a fun way to learn a new skill and network with other members. Join us via Zoom on Monday, November 29th from 3:30PM - 4:30PM.

 

Register for one (or all!) of these opportunities at https://www.ocdaonline.org/events. Happy National Career Development Month and we look forward to seeing you there!

2022 OCDA Conference

Planning for the 2022 OCDA Conference is in full swing, and we want to hear from you! Please take a few moments to complete this survey and let us know how you'd like to participate in the conference this year:

Conference Survey

Call for Presentation Proposals:
If you feel you have a topic to contribute, please complete the form HERE by Wednesday, 10/20 to be considered by the NCD Committee as a CEU presenter.

National Career Development Month

National Career Development (NCD) month is around the corner and OCDA is putting together some educational and networking opportunities for our members and we need your help! 

This year, we wanted to reach out to our members to request presentations that would be CEU eligible for our Career Community. Presentations will take place in Zoom during National Career Development Week (11/15-11/19). The theme for the presentations will be, "The Future of Career Development."

If you are selected, we will connect with you to discuss your availability by Friday, 10/29. We look forward to learning from your expertise!

If you have questions, please contact the NCD Chair, Taylor Slocum at tslocum3@cscc.edu.

Want to Get More Involved with OCDA?

One of the best ways to do this is to join a committee! We are building committees to work on functions such as marketing, outreach, event planning, administrative tasks, etc. to promote the purpose and objectives of the Association.

Benefits of joining a committee include:

• Building your resume

• Networking with other career development professionals

• Learn new skills + gain experiences outside your current job role

• Giving back to the career development community!

If you're interested in volunteering to join a committee, please complete the form below and a board member will connect with you to provide more information.

Join an OCDA Committee

Get Social with OCDA!

Facebook - Ohio Career Development Association
LinkedIn Group - Ohio Career Development Association

We want to connect with you, which is why we're on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and LinkedIn! We'll be sharing information about events, resources, and featuring the amazing work of our members! 

Instagram - @The_OCDA

Twitter - @The_OCDA

Working on something exciting that you want to share with other OCDA members on our social media channels? 

We're happy to help! Email Chelsea Francis at cfranci1@cscc.edu with your good news, accomplishments, innovative programs, updates, etc.! 

Career Services Roles

Check out these wonderful opportunities now open in career services. Click on the hyperlinks to learn more about each individual position.

Assistant Director, Career Education/Student Engagement

Baldwin Wallace University

Career Advisor (5 Open Positions)

Kent State University

Career Communication Specialist

Kent State University

Apply for an OCDA Grant!

• Professional Development: Conference registration, certifications, trainings, workshops. 
• Program Support: funding to support any program that helps clients in their career development or job search. 

This is the last week to apply for one of our professional development or program support grants.

It's the final week to submit your application for one of our six Professional Development or Program Support grants! 

We will be awarding up to six grants of $250 to support members in: 

The application is quick to fill out and we encourage all members to apply ASAP. We look forward to supporting your programs and your professional development! 

Applications are due by Sunday, May 16, Learn more/apply at www.ocdaonline.org/grants. 

Interested in Leadership?

Applications are now open for the 2021-2022 President-Elect position. Our new President-Elect will begin their 3-year term on July 1, 2021. To be considered, complete the online application before May 21st- click here for the application.

The President-Elect plans, executes, and organizes the Annual Conference and oversees the Conference Planning Committee. The President-Elect serves as a member of the Board, co-chair of the Finance Committee, and advisor to the President at the Annual Meeting, and performs Presidential duties in the absence of the President.

Register for the 2021 OCDA Conference

We're so excited for the 2021 OCDA Conference: Confidently Committed to Change on June 4th! Don't forget to register, and make sure to check out the website to learn more about our keynote and breakout session speakers. Click here for more information.

Ohio Wesleyan University

Career Catalyst, STEM

Ohio Wesleyan University is currently hiring a part-time Career Catalyst, STEM Liaison. For more information on this role and/or to apply, click here. 

2021 Professional Development & Program Support Grants

We're expanding our funding for micro-grants to help support our members with awards for professional development and program support. Please review the information below if you're interested in applying!

Who is Eligible?  

All current OCDA members are eligible to submit one (1) application.   

 

Application Period 

April 19^th – May 16^th, 2021  

 

Application Description  

The Ohio Career Development Association is offering six (6) grants of up to $250 to support OCDA members and their professional development or program support. The grants are intended for activities related to: 

INDIVIDUAL PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT GRANT  

• Conference registration or travel 
• Workshop registration or travel 
• Professional training 
• Professional certification(s)

PROGRAM SUPPORT GRANT 
Assistance with programs that support clients in:  

• Developing career readiness skills 
• Exploring career options 
• Securing employment 
• Enhancing their careers  

Proposals will be judged based on planned use of funds and support of the mission of OCDA to promote a greater understanding of the meaning of work and vocation, to foster career development over the life span, and to improve standards of professional service in the field of career guidance and counseling in Ohio.   

Proposals are due by May 16th, 2021. Grant award notifications will be sent no later than May 24th, 2021. 

Apply at www.ocdaonline.org/grants.

Questions? Contact Chelsea Francis, OCDA President at cfranci1@cscc.edu.

Not planning to apply for a grant?

We are looking for two members to help us read + evaluate grant applications!

Grant Reader Eligibility:

• Must be an active OCDA Member
• Must not have applied for an OCDA grant
• Must be available to review/score applications the week of May 17-21, 2021

Interested in volunteering? Email Chelsea Francis, OCDA President at cfranci1@cscc.edu.

President-Elect Applications are Open

Applications are now open for the 2021-2022 President-Elect position. Our new President-Elect will begin their 3-year term on July 1, 2021. To be considered, complete the online application before May 21st.

The President Elect plans, executes, and organizes the Annual Conference and oversees the Conference Planning Committee. The President-Elect serves as a member of the Board, co-chair of the Finance Committee, and advisor to the President at the Annual Meeting, and performs Presidential duties in the absence of the President.

President-Elect Application