Keys to Cost-Effective Professional Development

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09/01/2023

Keys to Cost-Effective Professional Development

By Melissa Venable & Melanie Reinersman

Congratulations on your goal to obtain professional development. Continuing education “develops your skills, keeps you current in your field, and allows you to deliver quality services” (NCDA, 2023, p. 3). Recognizing there are rewards and challenges with any goal, NCDA aims to support you with options for ease of obtaining more knowledge/skills in career development, as well as credit for continuing education, at a reasonable cost.

According to the NCDA Code of Ethics, one area of responsibility for the career professional is to seek continuing education:

Career professionals recognize the need for continuing education to acquire and maintain a reasonable level of awareness of current scientific and professional information in their fields of activity. They take steps to maintain competence in the skills they use, are open to new procedures, and keep current with the populations with whom they work. (NCDA, 2015, C.2.f.)

Additionally, career professionals who hold an NCDA credential, state licensure, or obligation to other authority (e.g., an employer), may be required to secure approved contact hours over a specific period of time. Thus, anyone in our profession could be seeking either professional development for their own benefit or aiming to earn continuing education (CEs) to fulfill a requirement. The options listed in this article include both professional development and continuing education so that you may choose how you wish to have your goals met.

Remembering the Budget

Just as there are keys to getting discounts on anything from buying a car, utilizing store coupons, or booking travel, NCDA offers cost-effective ways to achieve professional development. For example, anyone can watch a webinar and gain professional development on a variety of topics. Those that want CEs can register for a live webinar, or watch a pre-recorded webinar then submit a form for CEs and by using the Discounted Webinar Package, the more you watch the more you save!

Table 1 lists numerous options, as well as the effect on the user’s budget. While this list is extensive, it may not include everything NCDA offers. Some options are listed in more than one row to cover the different cost-effectiveness of the option. For example, everything in The Hub (NCDA’s new learning platform) supports professional development and CEs are offered for a range of costs and formats, such as watching videos, listening to podcasts, or reading publications. Please visit the NCDA website for more information.

Table 1

Keys to NCDA Professional Development and Continuing Education

Cost-Effectiveness	NCDA Opportunity	How to Obtain Professional Development	How to Obtain CEs	For more information
Free	Pre-Recorded Webinars	Watch anytime	(see discount key)	https://www.ncda.org/aws/NCDA/pt/sp/webinars
Free	Career Practitioner Conversations (NCDA podcasts)	Listen anytime	(see Hub options)	https://www.ncda.org/aws/NCDA/pt/sd/news_article/452893/_blank/layout_details/false
Free	Career Convergence web magazine	Read anytime	4 CEs for authoring a published article	www.careerconvergence.org
Free	Career Developments quarterly magazine	Members may read anytime	Anyone can submit an article for publication; 4 CEs for authoring a published article	https://www.ncda.org/aws/NCDA/pt/sp/magazine
Discount	Pre-Recorded Webinars	Watch anytime	Watch 1-5 webinars, then click on the Discounted CE Webinar Package link to purchase your CEs.	https://www.ncda.org/aws/NCDA/pt/sp/webinars
Discount	The Hub	Register and complete a course anytime	Monthly discount on a select course for a range of CEs	https://www.ncda.org/aws/NCDA/pt/sp/learning_hub_courses
Discount	NCDA Global Conference	Volunteers receive a reduction in registration	For various sessions	www.ncdaconference.org
Low Cost	The Hub: Career Practitioner Conversations (NCDA podcasts)	Register and complete a course anytime	Register; listen to the podcast; take the quiz; print your certificate. Course CEs vary from 2-6 (to-date)	https://ncda.org/aws/NCDA/pt/sp/learning_hub_courses
Low Cost	NCDA Global Conference	Student-member pricing and/or one-day registration	CEs vary and are earned by attending various sessions	www.ncdaconference.org
Low Cost	The Hub: Career Developments quarterly magazine	Register and complete a course anytime	Register; read the issue; take the quiz; print your certificate for 1 CE.	https://www.ncda.org/aws/NCDA/pt/sp/learning_hub_button
Low Cost (time)	NCDA Committee	Service time	Service time as chair earns up to 10 contact hours	https://www.ncda.org/aws/NCDA/pt/sp/about_committees
Low Cost	NCDA State CDA or Committee Event	Low or no travel costs (e.g. virtual events)	CEs, if approved	https://www.ncda.org/aws/NCDA/pt/sp/events
All Ranges	The Hub	Register and complete a course anytime	Register; Complete the course; take the quiz; print your certificate Course CEs vary from 1 to 10 (to date)	https://www.ncda.org/aws/NCDA/pt/sp/learning_hub_button

Support the Field of Career Development

NCDA invites Career Convergence readers and anyone in the field of career development to become members of our professional association. Members can benefit from all the professional development, advocacy, standards, and publications that NCDA has to offer. Visit www.ncda.org and click on Membership.

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