By Amber Taverner
On January 19, 2006, the Canadian Education and Research Institute for Counselling (CERIC) hosted a networking and information reception at the Toronto Board of Trade. It was a successful event that brought career professionals from across Ontario and Canada together to learn more about CERIC’s initiatives in the upcoming year and to connect with colleagues and friends.
CERIC is a Canadian charitable organization that supports professionals in the field across Canada, and encourages and provides education and research programs related to career counselling and career development. Robert Shea, President of the CERIC Board of Directors indicated that “through the provision of timely research and education, CERIC will assist Career Professionals in their day to day work which will further enhance the provision of career services from coast to coast”.
The Canadian Education and Research Institute for Counselling (CERIC) is guided by a dynamic Board of Directors and supported by an enthusiastic and tireless group of individuals that serve on CERIC’s two committees: Learning and Professional Development, and Practical and Academic Research. The reception provided an opportunity for individuals to meet some of CERIC’s Board Directors and Committee members; including the three founding Directors of CERIC; Donald Lawson, Barb Mason, and Elizabeth Hugessen.
Several exciting new initiatives were announced during the event including results from CERIC’s Ipsos Reid survey and a new research initiative – The Advancement of 
Career Counsellor Education in Canada.
In early January Ipsos Reid surveyed 1,000 Canadians on behalf of CERIC, to find out more about the value people place on career counselling services and who they turn to when they need assistance. According to Ipsos Reid, Canadians indicated that “if they were to start again to plan their career or work-life, two-thirds (65%) would try to get more career planning or job information than they did initially“. For more results from the Ipsos Reid survey, please visit www.ceric.ca/news.htm.
The research project, The Advancement of Career Counsellor Education in Canada, will examine Canada’s career counsellor education programs to gain an understanding of the current educational opportunities available for individuals who want to become career counsellors, as well as those who are working in the field who want to continue their education. Furthermore, this research project will examine the career paths and educational backgrounds of individuals currently working in the career counselling field.
The evening also included a meet and greet with local author Nancy Schaefer, President of Youth Employment Service (YES). Nancy signed copies of her latest book Good Work! Get a Job or be your own Boss.This new resource recently published by CERIC, will be available for purchase in bookstores across Canada in the spring and is now available on-line through the Contact Point website.
CERIC is an organization that was developed by a committed group of practitioners from across the country and recognizes the importance of participation from the career counselling/career development community. As Robert Shea explains, there are a number of ways to become involved with CERIC including “assisting in the development of research, responding to surveys, partnering in projects, supporting regional events and providing leadership and guidance to the profession“. For more information on how you can participate, visit CERIC at www.ceric.ca.
Interested in learning more about Good Work! Get a Job or be your own Boss, the new book by Nancy Schaefer? Read our review in this issue of the Contact Point Bulletin.