CERIC releases French version of popular quick guide to computing careers

June 14, 2018By

CERIC has now released Disciplines informatiques : guide rapide à l’intention des étudiants et des conseillers en orientation, a French version of its popular free guide that explains the fast-changing field of computing and informs decision-making around related education and career paths. Computing Disciplines: A Quick Guide for Prospective Students and Career Advisors was originally developed in English by an international research team led by Calgary’s Mount Royal University with project funding support from CERIC and released this past November.

The colourful graphic-oriented guide shows that there is no single computing discipline but at least five that have been identified by the Association for Computing Machinery (ACM):

  • Computer Engineering (CE):  Is concerned with the design and construction of computers and computer-based systems
  • Computer Science (CS):  Covers the widest range of computing topics from its theoretical foundations to the development of new computing technologies and techniques
  • Information Systems (IS):  Is focused on integrating information technology solutions and business processes
  • Information Technology (IT):  Programs prepare students to meet the computer technology needs of business and other organizations
  • Software Engineering (SE):  Is the discipline of developing and maintaining large software systems

Guide authors Randy Connolly, Janet Miller and Faith-Michael Uzoka provide an overview of each of these disciplines, and related careers, core courses, key tasks and sample jobs. (Note: the new French edition includes college and university programs in Quebec and beyond that align with the five computing disciplines.) The resource is designed to support prospective students, as well as career practitioners and academic advisors who guide students in determining which computing discipline best suits their interests, talents, skills and abilities.

The project identified a need, surveying thousands of computing students (and prospective students) from Canada, the US and Africa, and demonstrating that students do not always understand the difference between computing disciplines. Research also found that existing career resources often treat computing as a single discipline, typically computer science, and do not list all the computing disciplines recognized by the ACM.

The guide notes the complexity of the field, highlighting that not every computing program in a college or university will have one of the five ACM discipline titles. For example, there are now undergraduate degrees in Game Design, Cyber Security and Computer Apps. Many universities also offer mixed majors, such as with Health Sciences. Additionally, job titles in a company might not sound like the post-secondary program. For example, Network Administrators could have backgrounds in Computer Science, Information Systems or Information Technology.

The authors conclude by emphasizing the diversity and opportunity in the computing field, and the message that computing is much more than just programming.

Download the new guide French at: ceric.ca/informatique or English at: ceric.ca/computing.

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Research to identify competencies that settlement services workers need to support newcomers in pursuing meaningful careers

June 12, 2018By

A newly announced CERIC-funded project will map the career pathways and identify competencies of front-line workers in the settlement sector. Led by eCaliber Group and Calience Research and Consulting, the Settlement Services Workers Profile research project aims to better understand what front-line workers do, what steps they have taken to enter the settlement field, and what educational and work experiences have shaped their career paths.

Employment for newcomers is a significant challenge. The unemployment rate for newcomers to Canada hovers around 12%, nearly twice the national average and this does not consider the rate of underemployment. The settlement sector remains under pressure to effectively assist newcomers to actively participate in Canadian society, and to pursue meaningful lives and careers. This pressure will continue to increase in the coming years as the Canadian government works to achieve “the most ambitious immigration levels in recent Canadian history.”

Often, front-line workers in the settlement sector are the first point of contact for immigrants and refugees and play a critical role in the socioeconomic adaptation of newcomers. The research will consist of both primary and secondary research including interviews and focus groups with front-line workers and managers who work in the settlement field in urban and rural centres in Canada. The findings from this research ultimately aim to help settlement agencies respond more effectively to the changing needs of the settlement sector.

Research outcomes are expected by spring of 2019 and will help raise the profile of and generate insights into career pathways for front-line workers in the settlement field. Career counsellors can use these insights to help those who aspire to enter the settlement field make better informed career decisions. In addition, managers working in settlement agencies can draw on the findings to: better identify potential candidates; provide initial and ongoing training with greater effectiveness; ensure capacity is well nurtured; and define clearer, well-organized career pathways that will enable organizations and the individuals that serve them to develop and advance together.

CERIC provides funding and other support to develop innovative career development resources. Individuals and organizations are welcome to submit project proposals for career counselling-related research or learning projects. Project proposals can align with one of CERIC’s five priority funding areas or other identified areas of need.

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The Spring-Summer Issue of Careering looks at diversity and pluralism

June 11, 2018By

More than 20% of Canada’s 35 million people were born outside this country, helping to make it one of the world’s most socially diverse societies, according to the Global Centre for Pluralism. This Spring-Summer 2018 issue of CERIC’s Careering magazine examines the theme of Diversity and Pluralism with some thought-provoking articles on universal design, LGBTQ jobseekers, Canadian Forces and much more.

Plus…

…and much more, including:

Careering magazine is Canada’s Magazine for Career Development Professionals and is the official publication of CERIC. It is published three times a year both in print and as an emagazine, including select content in French. Subscribe to receive your free copy. You can also access past issues for free online.

The theme for the next issue of Careering magazine (Fall 2018) will be “Navigating Mental Health & Disability.” If you are interested in submitting an article, please send a brief outline of your proposed topic. Note that the final version of all articles must be received by August 1, 2018. Please review our submission guidelines and send your article to: lindsay@ceric.ca.

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What the gig economy means for career development: New CERIC literature search

June 6, 2018By

The transformation to a gig economy is well underway with an increasing number of short-term positions and self-employed individuals. Are we prepared for a future of freelance work? CERIC’s latest literature search Gig Economy and Career Development explores what the gig economy means to the future world of work and how career professionals can support their clients in thriving in the gig economy.

Topics covered in the literature search include:

  • The digital workforce in the gig economy
  • Workers rights in the gig economy
  • Research and policy implications for the gig economy
  • Gig economy and millennials
  • The impact of the gig economy on the gender income gap

There are 47 literature searches now available, including Career Development Theory and Career Management Models, Economic Benefits of Career Guidance, Parental Involvement in Career Development, Labour Market Trends, Mental Health Issues in the Workplace, and more.

Featuring comprehensive listings of key research and articles in career development, literature searches highlight critical points of current knowledge.

As a student, academic or practitioner in the field, literature searches are helpful if you are researching the latest thinking or proven best practices. They are also valuable if you are considering a submission to CERIC for project partnership funding in order to gain an overview of major work already done in your area of interest.

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Nominate a career development leader for the Etta St John Wileman Award by June 30

June 1, 2018By

The Etta St John Wileman Award for Lifetime Achievement is designed to recognize and celebrate individuals who have devoted their lives to enhancing the field of career development. If you know a leader who has made a significant and sustained contribution to the field, complete the nomination form by June 30, 2018.

The award seeks to:

  • Honour individuals who have established themselves as leaders within career development.
  • Recognize trailblazers who combine being a mentor, educator, advisor, advocate and role model.
  • Encourage people in Canada and around the world to celebrate those who have contributed so much to the career development profession.

Presented on a less than annual basis at the Cannexus National Career Development Conference in Ottawa, the award is given in the name of Etta St John Wileman. In the early 20th century, Wileman was a champion and crusader of career, work and workplace development in Canada.

Past recipients of the award have included Marilyn Van Norman, Denis Pelletier, Norman Amundson, Mildred Cahill, Bryan Hiebert, Donald Lawson and Michel Turcotte.

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CERIC debuts new and improved website

May 18, 2018By

At CERIC, our goal is to provide current resources and information that are useful and relevant to Canada’s career development professionals. We are always looking for new ways to improve in every aspect of what we do. To that end, we are excited to announce the launch of our new website, ceric.ca.

The site has been redesigned and updated to provide an improved user experience, making accessibility a top priority. The new design simplifies navigation, taking the information from our original website and placing it right at your fingertips.

By building a responsive and compatible layout for all platforms, we have improved the functionality of the site for both desktop and mobile users, as we recognize that increasingly you access our site from smartphones. The site has not only an updated, streamlined look to it, but is hosted on a higher performance server, which will significantly increase its speed and efficiency.

We hope you’ll enjoy a fresh presentation of everything CERIC has to offer and invite you to visit the site and explore the full spectrum of its new and improved features.

If you have any feedback, please let us know via our contact page. We also encourage you to tweet us @ceric_ca, or connect with us on any of our other social media platforms.

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New CERIC literature search explores refugee career development

May 10, 2018By

Career development is important for newcomers and refugees in integrating into a new society and achieving economic well-being. However, making a successful transition is a challenging process. CERIC new literature search on Refugees’ Career Development Issues focuses on this particular group and how career professionals plays a significant role.

Topics covered in the literature search include:

  • What career counsellors need to know about refugees
  • Narrative career counselling for people with refugee backgrounds
  • Helping newcomer students achieve success in secondary school
  • Syrian refugees in Canada and their struggle to find work
  • Social justice counselling and advocacy with immigrants

There are 46 CERIC literature searches now available, including Career Development Theory and Career Management Models, Economic Benefits of Career Guidance, Parental Involvement in Career Development, Labour Market Trends, Mental Health Issues in the Workplace, and more.

Featuring comprehensive listings of key research and articles in career development, literature searches highlight critical points of current knowledge.

As a student, academic or practitioner in the field, literature searches are helpful if you are researching the latest thinking or proven best practices. They are also valuable if you are considering a submission to CERIC for project partnership funding in order to gain an overview of major work already done in your area of interest.

View all of the literature searches.

 

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FREE webinars with Dr Mildred Cahill on Career Development for Young Children

April 30, 2018By

While we know parents and teachers are important influences on children’s career development, little research has existed around the nature of this influence. New CERIC-funded research from Memorial University shows how the early seeds of career development in children, aged 3 to 8, are planted and how they can best be nurtured. Two free webinars based on this research – full of practical tips and activities – are now being offered by Dr Mildred Cahill on May 28 and June 1, 2018.

Free Webinar #1 – Career Development for Young Children: How Educators Can Make a Difference Monday, May 28, 2018 | 12:00 pm – 1:00 pm ET

Educators will learn how to:

  • Facilitate children’s development of critical thinking, problem-solving and decision-making skills
  • Foster an appreciation of diversity, and promote the development of strengths, interests and abilities
  • Enhance children’s confidence by encouraging them to try new things and to be open to change
  • Encourage children to imagine many possibilities for future selves
  • Counteract bias in books, texts, other resources and the media
  • Infuse career development concepts into teaching and learning (curriculum)

Free Webinar #2 – Realizing Potential: How Parents Can Support Their Children’s Early Career Development Friday, June 1, 2018 | 12:00 pm – 1:00 pm ET

Parents/guardians will learn how to:

  • Enhance children’s confidence by encouraging them to try new things and be open to change
  • Encourage children to develop and recognize strengths, interests and abilities, and think positively about themselves
  • Provide children with opportunities for imaginative play
  • Help children set and accomplish appropriate goals
  • Monitor the games, books and media in which children engage
  • Discuss work with children, including place of work, job tasks and responsibilities

Dr Mildred Cahill is a recently retired Professor, Counselling Psychology, Faculty of Education, Memorial University of Newfoundland. She is a researcher (career development, diversity, multiple technologies and counselling) and educator involved in collaborative program development work locally, nationally and internationally.

Learn more about this webinar series and register today.

The webinars are based on two recent guides published by CERIC: The Early Years: Career Development for Young Children – A Guide for Educator’s and The Early Years: Career Development for Young Children – A Guide for Parents/Guardians. Both are available for free download or print copies may be purchased.

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Announcing our stellar lineup of Cannexus19 keynotes!

April 26, 2018By

CERIC is pleased to announce the keynote speakers for Cannexus19, Canada’s largest bilingual National Career Development Conference. Cannexus is designed to promote the exchange of information and explore innovate approaches in the areas of career counselling and career development. The conference takes place January 28-30, 2019 at the Shaw Centre in Ottawa and is expected to welcome 1,000 delegates. Delegate registration will open on July 4, 2018.

Three exciting keynote speakers will be sharing their experiences and insights:

  • Dr Deborah Saucier, President, MacEwan University
  • Dr Mary McMahon, Honorary Senior Lecturer, School of Education, The University of Queensland (Australia)
  • The Right Honourable David Johnston, Governor General of Canada (2010-2017) and Chair, Rideau Hall Foundation

CERIC will be launching exhibitor registration on June 4, 2018. Expected to sell out for a third consecutive year, exhibitors are encouraged to secure their booth space early, while spots are available.

The Cannexus19 Call for Presenters is still open. Sessions can cover innovations and best practices in career counselling/coaching techniques, employment and training programs, employee recruitment and engagement, workforce planning and more. The submission deadline is June 8, 2018.

Cannexus is presented by CERIC and supported by The Counselling Foundation of Canada and a broad network of supporting organizations.

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New CERIC-NCDA webinar series with Spencer Niles explores mindfulness in career development

April 23, 2018By

CERIC is partnering with the US-based National Career Development Association (NCDA) to offer a 3-part webinar series Reclaim Your Soul from Work: Making Choices that Honour Your Authentic Self with renowned career researcher and educator Dr Spencer Niles starting May 29, 2018. The webinar series is based on his highly rated keynote at the Cannexus National Career Development Conference earlier this year.

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