Mini-Conference participants will be able to choose from several topics during four breakout sessions. These interactive group sessions will allow you to grasp the topic as well as give you action steps on incorporating the knowledge into your own practice.
Breakout Session 1: 9:00AM-9:50AM
1.1 "A Foundational Piece of Lifespan Career Development – The Highlands Ability Battery"
Lanie Damon
This presentation will be based on more than 20 years of experience using the Highlands Ability Battery in varied settings with clients ranging from high school students to mid-career and beyond adults. Understanding abilities enables individuals to function from a position of strength and appreciate the contributions of others whose abilities are very different. Continued career development requires that each of us adds skills to our abilities as we move through various roles and positions in our lives. Knowing one’s abilities makes the choice about skills acquisition more straight forward, or at least awareness of what should come more easily or what will require greater effort and concentration. This is an assessment based on timed work samples, very different from the self-report format of many assessments used in career counseling.
1.2 "Boomers to the Left, Millennials to the Right, Gen-X Stuck in the Middle: Strategic Career Coaching for the Forgotten"
Lisa Conley
Most organizations are keenly aware of the challenges of a multi-generational workforce. They are conscious of the potential “Brain Drain” that will be faced as Boomers start to retire. Concurrently, more than a few articles and books have been written on the needs of Millennials entering and already inside the workforce. However; what is missed in this awareness is the fact that the Gen Xers are not retiring along with the Boomers. Ignoring the needs of this group could prove to be a strategic mis-step for talent management efforts, even though this group is smaller than their bookend counterparts. The purpose of this session is to discuss career development strategies for this somewhat forgotten group.
Breakout Session 2: 10:00AM-10:50AM
2.1 "Why and How to Work a Target Company List"
Judi Adams
Many job seekers have been told they need a list of target companies but may not have been told how to identify and use that list of companies.
This program will clarify the purpose of identifying companies to target, three tools to use to identify these companies, and then how to use the list to network into the hidden job market.
Tools include a free, extensive database of companies, a published list of metro area companies sliced and diced in different dimensions, and maps of companies in the metro area by industry to share with your students and clients.
2.2 "How to Qualify Your Clients for a Federal Job"
Robin Schlinger
Many job seekers want to search for Federal jobs - or you may think they may be a candidate for a Federal job. Before applying for a Federal job it is important they select the right Federal job to apply for. Most potential job seekers and many resume writers do not know how to find and read job announcements to determine if a client can qualify for a Federal job. This session will help a resume writer or Career Coach who is not experienced in reading Federal announcements or writing Federal Resumes help their client select appropriate positions to pursue.
Breakout Session 3: 11:00AM-11:50AM
3.1 "Employee Abuse in the Workplace"
Terry Wynne
This seminar addresses verbal, psychological, and emotional abuse among employees, customers, and managers in the workplace. Stimulating and controversial, this seminar deals with recipients of employee abuse and identifies ways to deal with them. This seminar also discusses the values, mindsets, responsibilities, recourses, and choices necessary to create a respectful workplace.
3.2 "Thinking About Starting or Growing Your Private Practice?"
David Harris, Charlotte Hayes
Starting a Private Practice/Growing an Existing Practice!
Both Harris and Hayes run successful private practices and want to help you discover YOUR vision for your practice. In this fast-paced and experiential workshop, we will discuss the importance of understanding YOUR expertise; understanding your ideal client(s) and developing a practice budget. We will also explain how to approach marketing your practice including conducting market research; what actually works in private practice marketing; and developing a specific Marketing Plan.
Finally, we will share what it is like to deliver private practice career coaching: understanding matching client needs with deliverables; scheduling; and the importance of peer supervision and consultation.
Breakout Session 4: 2:40PM-3:30PM
4.1 "Career Transition via Small Business Ownership"
Julie Denise
Who is buying franchises and why?
What makes franchising a compelling choice for mid-career executives that have faced prolonged periods of unemployment or under-employment?
Provide basic information on franchise business models and industries.
What are the costs of franchise business ownership and possible financing arrangements?
Research methodology that reduces the risk in making the investment and the preparation needed by the client.
4.2 "Defining Your Client’s Value Using MBTI Assessment Results and How to Market Them to Employers"
Dr. Betsy Johnson
Through a review of individuals’ strengths identified using the MBTI preferences, connections to work values sought after in the workplace can be made. Participants will learn more about what employers are seeking in candidates today and how their clients can make quick and meaningful value propositions to those employers. In addition, participants will identify ways in which they can convey their value to current employers.
To register for the GCDA Mini-Conference click here to view the event page.