LGTW 2022 Call for Presentations EXTENDED TO JULY 26, 2022:
We are looking for career development and employment professionals to share their amazing work, ideas and best practices with the community at the Let's Get to Work Conference on November 4, 2022. Please submit your ideas on the form linked below.
Browse last year's list of presentations below to give you motivation and inspiration.
We are looking for career development and employment professionals to share their amazing work, ideas and best practices with the community at the Let's Get to Work Conference on November 4, 2022. Please submit your ideas on the form linked below.
Browse last year's list of presentations below to give you motivation and inspiration.
2021 Breakout Session Abstracts
Understanding Hope and Hopelessness: Theory, Assessments, and Interventions
In this presentation, we introduce an integrative model of hope that incorporates humanity's four great needs; attachment, survival, mastery, and spirituality. We also describe multiple assessment tools for hope and hopelessness and a hope-building intervention for youth. We will focus on Application of Current Research, Theory & Methodology.
Takeaways:
Learning outcome #1 Learn about an integrative model of hope
Learning outcome #2, Learn how to assess hope and hopelessness
Learning outcome #3 Learn about a workshop to build hopefulness in Youth
Takeaways:
Learning outcome #1 Learn about an integrative model of hope
Learning outcome #2, Learn how to assess hope and hopelessness
Learning outcome #3 Learn about a workshop to build hopefulness in Youth
Raza Abbas
Mr. Raza Abbas is a globally acclaimed career development professional from Pakistan he has earned multiple international outstanding career practitioner awards from NCDA-2019 and APCDA-2017. Dr. Scioli and Mr. Raza have both been profiled in the global best-seller ' The World Book of Hope' for their valuable contributions in hope.
Dr. Anthony Scioli
Dr. Anthony Scioli is Professor of Psychology at Keene State College in the United States of America. He is a consulting editor for the Journal of Positive Psychology and APA’s Psychology of Religion and Spirituality. He is the leading expert on hope.
Competencies at Work: The Pan-Canadian Framework for Career Development Professionals
The Pan-Canadian Framework for Career Development Professionals includes all of the competencies that CDPs are expected to know and perform. With 100 competencies the Framework can feel and look monumental. But what does that mean in practice? Take a look at the competencies closely. Organizations and CDPs in diverse contexts can use and leverage the framework's nimbleness in certification, training, job descriptions and in the advancement of careers.
Takeaways:
Participants will understand the new pan-Canadian Competency Framework and its application to the daily work of a CDP. They will also learn of the different tools available to them through their use of the competency framework, micro-credentials, and learn about best practices.
Takeaways:
Participants will understand the new pan-Canadian Competency Framework and its application to the daily work of a CDP. They will also learn of the different tools available to them through their use of the competency framework, micro-credentials, and learn about best practices.
Rebecca McCarthy
Rebecca makes things work for those who work. With a background in entrepreneurship and workshop facilitation, her role at CCDF centres upon the values of openness and authenticity; sharing that career development is for everyone.
Neurodiversity in the Workplace
Neurodiversity refers to the idea that neurological differences, such as those seen in learning disabilities or ADHD, reflect normal variations in brain development. It refers to the concept that certain developmental disorders are normal variations in the brain. And people who have these features also have certain strengths. However, individuals with neurodivergent features may spend a lot of time trying to adjust to their work environment. Left undiagnosed, untreated and/or not accommodated, neurodivergent Canadians are unable to reach their potential, resulting in high costs to the Canadian economy.
This session will focus on the facts and myths about learning disabilities and ADHD. We will focus on the symptoms and provide insight into why neurodivergent individuals often struggle in the workplace, including the lack of workplace accommodations.
This session is applicable all individuals who are providing service or working with other individuals, as you never know who may be neurodivergent!
Takeaways:
A deeper understanding of learning disabilities and ADHD. What they are, but most importantly what they are not.
Some tools to assist them in their career development practice
A greater awareness of their own actions and perceptions with a goal of reducing stigma
This session will focus on the facts and myths about learning disabilities and ADHD. We will focus on the symptoms and provide insight into why neurodivergent individuals often struggle in the workplace, including the lack of workplace accommodations.
This session is applicable all individuals who are providing service or working with other individuals, as you never know who may be neurodivergent!
Takeaways:
A deeper understanding of learning disabilities and ADHD. What they are, but most importantly what they are not.
Some tools to assist them in their career development practice
A greater awareness of their own actions and perceptions with a goal of reducing stigma
Karen Velthuys
Karen Velthuys, the Executive Director of LDAM is a passionate community member who has worked in the nonprofit industry for over 20 years. She believes that everyone can succeed when they have the right supports and tools in place. n her current role at the Learning Disabilities Association of Manitoba she is working tirelessly to ensure that everyone has the right to learn and the power to achieve.
Karen had the privilege of representing her community as a School Trustee in the Fort Garry and Pembina Trails School Divisions for 12 years where she served as the Chair of the Board twice during her tenure. In addition, she also served on the board of Winnipeg Technical College and the Victoria Hospital. Currently, Karen is the Chair of the Board of Osborne Village Resource Centre.
Karen had the privilege of representing her community as a School Trustee in the Fort Garry and Pembina Trails School Divisions for 12 years where she served as the Chair of the Board twice during her tenure. In addition, she also served on the board of Winnipeg Technical College and the Victoria Hospital. Currently, Karen is the Chair of the Board of Osborne Village Resource Centre.
Industry Insight & Career Exploration
Industry can play a vital role in career programming for youth. A connection to industry as part of the high school journey can help students answer questions about the opportunities available to them when they graduate and what career path to pursue. In collaboration with community-based organizations or schools, Industry Leaders can share their insight into the future of work and what it will take to achieve success.
Intended Audience:
Educators and Career Education Practitioners working with grades 9-12 students.
Learning Outcomes
• A demonstration of how Career Trek engages with Industry.
• Examples of successful engagement between Industry and Career Trek.
• Insight into the benefits experienced or expressed by youth.
Takeaways:
Attendees will gain a better sense of how Educators and Career Education Practitioners can work with Industry Leaders to provide high school students with the knowledge to make informed decisions about the career path that's right for them.
Intended Audience:
Educators and Career Education Practitioners working with grades 9-12 students.
Learning Outcomes
• A demonstration of how Career Trek engages with Industry.
• Examples of successful engagement between Industry and Career Trek.
• Insight into the benefits experienced or expressed by youth.
Takeaways:
Attendees will gain a better sense of how Educators and Career Education Practitioners can work with Industry Leaders to provide high school students with the knowledge to make informed decisions about the career path that's right for them.
Allison Kirkland
As an entrepreneur and a non-profit professional, Allison has built a career based on her passion for helping others unearth their potential, better their lives, and strengthen their communities.
Rhonda Taylor
Rhonda has spent the bulk of her career in the not-for-profit sector. Her focus has been to work with individuals in the space of literacy, food security and career exploration. Her motto: Talk. Plan. Act.
Overqualified, underemployed, underpaid: Career Tips for the Internationally Educated Immigrant Professionals
Many internationally educated immigrant professionals have been forced into low wage unstable survival jobs for having foreign credentials and/or being in regulated professions. 75% of internationally educated immigrant professionals are not working in their fields.
The top two reasons IEPs come to Canada are job opportunities and democracy; yet there is a 44.3% unemployment rate among them. In health sector, 20% of IEP are underpaid while 13% are underemployed (World Education News).
There are many reasons why most internationally educated immigrant professionals are considered overqualified yet underemployed and underpaid. This presentation will focus on sharing evidence-based tips on what internationally educated immigrant professionals can do to improve their job search strategies and achieve their desired career goals.
Some of the topics that will be covered include; Employability Skills, Addressing career gaps and acquiring Canadian Experience, Networking tips for IEPs, Salary Negotiation, finding references in your Industry and growing your career.
Takeaways:
Acquire knowledge on how to increase employability if they are internationally educated professionals, knowledge on salary negotiations, networking, addressing career gaps (on resumes, cover letters, interviews), finding references and growing career.
Charlotte Ong'ang'a
Charlotte Anyango Ong'ang'a is a Linguist, Career Development Specialist and Leadership Trainer with a Ph.D. in Linguistics. She has been an educator in many countries, for many years with experience in teaching, workshop facilitation and coaching learners of different ages and levels. Her areas of research interest in Linguistics include Discourse Analysis, Semantics & Pragmatics, Corpus Linguistics, Morphology and Language Acquisition. Charlotte uses linguistic approaches in career development essentials like setting the right job search tone and wording your resume. Currently she advises Ph.D. students on Career Exploration, Career Management, Networking and Job Search tips on contract and also serves as an independent consultant Leadership Trainer for organizations.
Innovation and creativity in career development: New and ongoing research initiatives in the private and public spaces
Career development practitioners are intimately involved in the development of clients’ personalized journeys towards their career objectives. A critical step in this journey is finding and using labour market information (LMI), such as the skills requirements of jobs, job outlooks, and expected employment outcomes by field of study, to inform decision making. It is often the case, however, that this information is inaccessible or nonexistent. This can leave job seekers and those helping them frustrated and lost, and without an understanding of what is being done to address this situation, it can inspire mistrust in the entire system. This session will provide an overview of new tools being developed and novel approaches and research initiatives being conducted by private and public organizations to address these gaps and provide the LMI that Canadians so urgently need.
Takeaways:
1. Learn to use a tool for tracking the earnings of graduates by credential and field of study.
2. Learn to use a tool for tracking earnings of Red Seal trade certificate holders.
3. Learn to use a tool for accessing work requirements from online job postings.
4. Find out about current research and initiatives related to improving access to data, improving information on credentials and training, and mapping the career services ecosystem in Canada.
Takeaways:
1. Learn to use a tool for tracking the earnings of graduates by credential and field of study.
2. Learn to use a tool for tracking earnings of Red Seal trade certificate holders.
3. Learn to use a tool for accessing work requirements from online job postings.
4. Find out about current research and initiatives related to improving access to data, improving information on credentials and training, and mapping the career services ecosystem in Canada.
Anthony Mantione
Anthony Mantione is a senior economist with the Labour Market Information Council (LMIC), where he conducts research and analysis primarily related to the skill needs of the Canadian labour market. Some of his work includes identifying and measuring labour and skills shortages in Canada, exploring new technologies for skill classification, writing recommendations on best practices for generating and using LMI, and consulting with stakeholders. In addition to studying labour-related issues, Anthony has previous experience in both the health care and secondary education.
Michael Willcox
Michael Willcox is an economist with the Labour Market Information Council (LMIC), where he contributes to ongoing and forward-looking research projects related to labour market issues in Canada. Michael brings expertise in policy analysis and program evaluation from prior roles in the public sector.
That all-Important tap on the shoulder
All students in schools benefit from structured learning environments, but it's also important to foster those serendipitous moments when new insight and opportunity coalesce and point to different possibilities. A moment of this type, or 'the tap on the shoulder' (TOTS) is that moment when someone sees something unique, special or life-changing in the career trajectory of another person and alerts them to an unbeknown possibility that will make a different in a career path. The session will explore these special moments in our career paths and their influence on our lives, along with insight about how to incorporate the TOTS into career development practice. The audience is the average CDP with a particular leaning towards high school career practitioners. Learners will leave with a new way to consider a personal narrative and where to offer interventions that make a difference.
Takeaways:
A new lens of how to view key moments that move career paths and what to watch for in the personal narrative of students/clients to inject a TOTS at the right time.
Takeaways:
A new lens of how to view key moments that move career paths and what to watch for in the personal narrative of students/clients to inject a TOTS at the right time.
Adriano Magnifico
Adriano Magnifico has taught senior high school English and Career Development for 35 years. In 1995 he created the Career Internship Program, a multi-award-winning venture that meshed career development with traditional courses, and which continues to this day.
He is chair of the divisional Career Development Committee and member of the leadership team. He works on executive/leadership teams with CERIC, LMIC, the Canadian Cyber Defence Conference, the Winnipeg Chamber of Commerce, and Canadian Manufacturing and Exporters (CME). He actively volunteers with Junior Achievement, Special Olympics Manitoba, Harvest Manitoba and has coached hockey and baseball in his community for the past 30 years. He is Co-President of the Manitoba Association of Teachers of English and has helped to develop summer literacy programs for marginalized elementary students. Adriano publishes the occasional article on career development, writes a regular column for the local community newspaper, and has won awards for some of his short stories. He created the LEAN Career Design Canvas career development tool and shares it with practitioners in Canada and various countries. He hosts the podcast Adventures in Careerland with a team of dedicated high school students.
He is chair of the divisional Career Development Committee and member of the leadership team. He works on executive/leadership teams with CERIC, LMIC, the Canadian Cyber Defence Conference, the Winnipeg Chamber of Commerce, and Canadian Manufacturing and Exporters (CME). He actively volunteers with Junior Achievement, Special Olympics Manitoba, Harvest Manitoba and has coached hockey and baseball in his community for the past 30 years. He is Co-President of the Manitoba Association of Teachers of English and has helped to develop summer literacy programs for marginalized elementary students. Adriano publishes the occasional article on career development, writes a regular column for the local community newspaper, and has won awards for some of his short stories. He created the LEAN Career Design Canvas career development tool and shares it with practitioners in Canada and various countries. He hosts the podcast Adventures in Careerland with a team of dedicated high school students.
Career Development is Everyone’s Business and Includes All of Us. Kenanow.
While career development practices and engagement have been challenged the past year, pandemic disruptions have revealed emerging needs for accessible programming and services within the workplace, and moreover, within the larger community context. While UCN Centre for Career and Work-Integrated Learning strives to ensure Northern communities and people have access to educational opportunities, knowledge, and skills, this emerging community need has strengthened our service delivery model, reminding us that career development is everybody’s business and includes all of us, Kenanow. Join us to hear our lessons learned, stories of successful collaboration and strategies to foster career development in a post-pandemic world.
Reference Note:
Kenanow was chosen by the UCN Council of Elders as the concept for the framework of the UCN teacher education program, with community at the core of the framework. The Elders thought the word Kenanow describes best who will do the work of educating and said “We are all responsible to do the work together”. Kenanow is a powerful Cree word. It’s a relational word, no one can do the work alone.
Takeaways:
Participants will be challenged to think about how they can expand their practice within the larger community context to improve accessibility of career development programming and services for all Manitobans.
Reference Note:
Kenanow was chosen by the UCN Council of Elders as the concept for the framework of the UCN teacher education program, with community at the core of the framework. The Elders thought the word Kenanow describes best who will do the work of educating and said “We are all responsible to do the work together”. Kenanow is a powerful Cree word. It’s a relational word, no one can do the work alone.
Takeaways:
Participants will be challenged to think about how they can expand their practice within the larger community context to improve accessibility of career development programming and services for all Manitobans.
Krystle Paskaruk
Krystle Paskaruk is the Coordinator for Career & Work-Integrated Learning and has been instrumental in the conceptualization, planning and development of the Centre for Career & Work-Integrated Learning (CCWIL) at UCN; she has led the implementation of a comprehensive institution-wide career development framework, which has become cornerstone to the UCN student experience. With over 19 years of experience in adult education, training, and community development, Krystle brings a wealth of knowledge, creativity and expertise to lead the CCWIL team, and has received national recognition for her work. She is passionate about supporting students to achieve career success and seeks to ensure the highest degree of professionalism and excellence through client-centered program delivery.
In addition to her duties at the Centre for Career & Work-Integrated Learning, Krystle is currently a Board Member with MACD and has been an active participant with CACEE (Canadian Association for Career Educators & Employers) and CEWIL Canada, where she served two consecutive terms on the National Board of Directors as the Regional Representative for Manitoba/Nunavut.
In addition to her duties at the Centre for Career & Work-Integrated Learning, Krystle is currently a Board Member with MACD and has been an active participant with CACEE (Canadian Association for Career Educators & Employers) and CEWIL Canada, where she served two consecutive terms on the National Board of Directors as the Regional Representative for Manitoba/Nunavut.
Kelly Hause
Kelly Hause is the Career Engagement Facilitator at UCN and is based at the Thompson Campus. Kelly joined the Centre for Career & Work-Integrated Learning (CCWIL) in February 2020 after working in an executive administration role for over 25 years with UCN. Kelly brings a wealth of experience in planning, administration and customer service excellence to her role in supporting students, employers and staff engaged in career development. As a career development practitioner, Kelly is passionate about helping people navigate their careers and empowering them to achieve career success.
From Job to Calling
Job, career, or calling? Learn about the difference between these work orientations and why it matters. Strategies on how to incorporate elements of a calling into your work to enhance engagement and create more meaningful work will be presented. These strategies can also be used when working with clients.
Takeaways:
Learn what the three work orientations are and the benefits of a calling orientation. Understand the dimensions of the calling orientation and have practical tips on how to apply these to your work.Leave with a workbook to help you further apply the concepts presented.
Takeaways:
Learn what the three work orientations are and the benefits of a calling orientation. Understand the dimensions of the calling orientation and have practical tips on how to apply these to your work.Leave with a workbook to help you further apply the concepts presented.
Matthew Geddes
Matthew Geddes is a Career Specialist at the University of Calgary. Here, he supports graduate students with achieving their career aspirations through collaborative individual consultations and interactive workshops. As an avid lifelong learner, he is passionate about bringing new resources and research based practices to support individuals. His diverse background, which includes a MSc in Educational Psychology (1992) and a BSc (1982) in Engineering, both from the University of Calgary, allows him to bring a unique approach to supporting individuals with achieving their career goals.
Career Development for Diverse Clients: Beyond the Basics
Diversity is a multi-faceted construct including such inter-related characteristics/influences as age, gender, sexual orientation, ability, educational background, spirituality, family structure, socio-economic context, and many others. Career Development Professionals (CDPs) who go “beyond the basics” to cultivate a more nuanced approach rooted in a client’s unique expression of cultural identity(ies) are better able to address the complex carDeer problems of today’s workforce through more customized, relevant, and effective interventions. Hear from Dr. Roberta Borgen, editor of Career Development for Diverse Clients: Beyond the Basics, which profiles 30+ invited contributions from authors who have specialized knowledge or lived experience with different types of diversity. Each chapter addresses key challenges faced, and provides a case vignette, a theoretically grounded case conceptualization, and tips for working effectively with clients from that group. Leave with practical tips/tools, drawn from this new resource and several diversity-related projects, specifically focused on strengthening cultural competency among CDPs.
Attendees will:
• Examine the impact of client contextual factors and cultural identity(ies) on career
• Be introduced to relevant diversity-related projects and resources including Career Development for Diverse Clients: Beyond the Basics
• Explore tips and tools for ensuring culturally informed practice and creating/adapting interventions, programs, and services for diverse clients
Attendees will:
• Examine the impact of client contextual factors and cultural identity(ies) on career
• Be introduced to relevant diversity-related projects and resources including Career Development for Diverse Clients: Beyond the Basics
• Explore tips and tools for ensuring culturally informed practice and creating/adapting interventions, programs, and services for diverse clients
Roberta Borgen (Neault)
Dr Roberta Borgen (Neault) is President of Life Strategies Ltd., Adjunct Professor at the University of British Columbia, and Project Director for the Canadian Career Development Foundation (CCDF). An internationally award-winning career development thought leader, Roberta brings extensive experience as educator, counsellor, and consultant. She supports diverse individuals in their career development journey, organizations struggling with inclusion and engagement of a diverse workforce, and counsellors developing their cultural competencies.
Cassie Taylor
Cassie Taylor, BAA, has over 10 years of experience supporting a vast array of diversity-focused projects from conceptualization, data gathering/analysis, and creation of tools, resources, and presentations/workshops. From local to international, Cassie’s work seeks to improve career development services through fostering culturally informed practices rooted in empathy, understanding, collaboration, and data.
Glenda Lagasse
Glenda Lagasse teaches in the Access Program at Kwantlen Polytechnic University and is passionate about helping people with disabilities realize their full potential whether through employment, volunteering, further studies, or entrepreneurship.
Tony Botelho
Tony Botelho is the Director of SFU Career & Volunteer Services. He was awarded the Stu Conger Award for Leadership in Career Development and the centre is recognized as one of the top university career centres in Canada.
Words & Actions: Building Blocks for Life/Work
An Hope-Filled Engagement approach supplements traditional, mainstream career approaches by addressing the increasing need for a diversity of tools and concepts that can be used with increasingly diverse populations. This will interest anyone who wishes to be more effective with diverse populations, as well as the mainstream. A Better Story builds on this approach and helps people to craft a better inner story that can sustain them as they move forward on their life/career journeys. Words and actions are the building blocks we use for our life/career stories. Words and actions matter; they have power. They feed off each other on our life/career journeys and express our thoughts, emotions, and choices. This session will explore how to take small steps to identify, choose, and cultivate the words and actions that will enable us to help others do more than just survive or even succeed—but to thrive by living well.
This workshop will explore:
• the need to develop a better story toolkit to be used in the lifelong journey of crafting
• the power of our words and actions
• how to cultivate small word/action habits that matter
• how to invest meaning and hope into the words and actions that we use.
This workshop will explore:
• the need to develop a better story toolkit to be used in the lifelong journey of crafting
• the power of our words and actions
• how to cultivate small word/action habits that matter
• how to invest meaning and hope into the words and actions that we use.
Gray Poehnell
Gray Poehnell is an experienced life/career consultant with over 31 years experience working with diverse clients and students. Gray is of Metis descent and is committed to supplementing mainstream career approaches by addressing the increasing need for a diversity of tools and concepts that are easily accessible to increasingly diverse populations. He has focused on holistic, inclusive approaches that cultivate hope, accessibility, journey, story, practical spirituality, creativity, and imagination. Gray is widely recognized for his dynamic training of life/career practitioners both nationally and internationally. Through books, workshops, conference sessions, and keynotes, to present these approaches to several thousand life/career practitioners who work with diverse client groups, such as Indigenous peoples, people with disabilities, youth, social assistance recipients, older adults, immigrants/refugees, corrections inmates, and even professionals. Gray was the 2012 recipient of the Stu Conger Award for Leadership in Career Counselling and Career Development for excellence in career development in Canada.