About

CERIC is a charitable organization that advances education, research and advocacy in career counselling and development, in order to increase the economic and social well-being of people in Canada.

It funds projects to develop innovative resources that build the knowledge and skills of diverse career and employment professionals. CERIC also annually hosts Cannexus, Canada’s largest bilingual career development conference, publishes the country’s only peer-reviewed journal, Canadian Journal of Career Development, and runs the CareerWise / OrientAction websites, providing the top career development news and views.

CERIC’s activities are funded in large part by The Counselling Foundation of Canada, a family foundation that has actively supported career projects for 60 years.

The origin of the CERIC name is as an acronym for Canadian Education and Research Institute for Counselling. However, recognizing that the scope of career development encompasses counselling and more, the organization has adopted CERIC as its name and added the descriptor “Advancing Career Development in Canada” to communicate its purpose and impact.

At CERIC, we envision:

A Canada where every individual can confidently navigate their career journey with purpose, possibility and support.

At CERIC, our mission is:

We champion and advance career development through learning, research and advocacy to improve the economic and social well-being of people in Canada.

Equity

We treat everyone with respect. We create inclusive spaces where diverse perspectives, backgrounds and experiences contribute to meaningful discussions and decision-making, and we address barriers to research, learning and engagement opportunities.

Collaboration

We cannot do our work alone. Proudly non-partisan, pan-Canadian and multi-sectoral, we build and sustain respectful, trusting and constructive relationships and partnerships to advance shared goals and to have an impact.

Integrity

We can be relied upon to demonstrate transparency, openness and accountability. We foster trust by consistently taking responsibility for decisions and actions that reflect our beliefs and align with our goals.

Bold Leadership

We are driven by curiosity and committed to excellence. We embrace adventure and seek out opportunities to respectfully challenge conventional thinking, break new ground and innovate to achieve results that will advance career development.
Inclusivity

A respectful, inclusive and equitable environment that invites all stakeholders, especially the historically disadvantaged, to contribute to meaningful discussions and decision-making.

Accessibility

Allowing for the fullest access to our research, learning and engagementt opportunities in order to support the largest number of career professionals and have the broadest impact.

Aspiration

Committed to new and imaginative ways and means to enhance the value and body of knowledge within career development; curious and takes smart risks to inspire, challenge and achieve results.

Diversity

Diverse people, skillsets, schools of thought and backgrounds that offer a spectrum of perspectives and know-how are intentionally sought and represented.

20 Years of CERIC and Counting…

In 2024, CERIC celebrated 20 years of promoting career development in Canada. Watch this short video that looks back at CERIC’s work over the past two decades, featuring testimonials from past and present leaders and volunteers.

Strategic Priorities

  • Equip people across Canada for the future
  • Enhance the value of career development
  • Solidify Canada’s role as a career development thought leader

Who We Work With

CERIC is an inclusive organization for anyone working in career or employment services or who has interest in career development, including practitioners, program managers, educators, researchers and product developers. We work across all sectors: K-12, post-secondary, community, government and corporate as well as independent professionals.

Respecting the diversity of career development practitioners in Canada, CERIC is committed to the field of career development and enhancing knowledge attainment and application among its practitioners. In recognition of the many sectors/paths in this sphere, the advancement of knowledge, practice and research in all its forms is firmly supported.

Board of Directors

CERIC is directed by a pan-Canadian volunteer Board of Directors reflecting a broad sectoral representation in the field of career counselling. Read more on our Board.

We also have a number of Advisory Committees that are as diverse and representative as our national Board of Directors. Committees play an important role providing input on research, learning, marketing, communications, web services, editorial support and conference programming.

Advisory Committees

Practical & Academic Research

Determines and recommends to the Board the most effective way by which CERIC can support the growth and development of practical and academic career-related research in Canada and its application. Read more on our Practical & Academic Research Committee.

Content & Learning

Provides input to inform the strategic direction of CERIC’s content and learning through various streams including the CareerWise and OrientAction websites, webinars and the Cannexus conference. Read more on our Content & Learning Committee.

Advocacy & Community Engagement

Contributes to developing advocacy plans with priority audiences and identifies approaches to engage diverse stakeholders in the broader career development ecosystem with CERIC’s work. Read more on our Advocacy & Community Engagement Committee.

CERIC acknowledges that the Huron-Wendat, Petun, Haundenosaunee, Anishinaabe, and Mississauga Anishinaabe of New Credit have a special connection to the territory on which our office is located. Toronto’s long history as a gathering place and center of trade and commerce began thousands of years ago. Today, it is home to Indigenous peoples from across Turtle Island and many others. We welcome the opportunity to work on this territory and are committed to learning about our true shared history and participating in the reconciliation process. Learn more about CERIC’s commitment to promoting reconciliation.