03/01/2024

2024 NCDA Global Career Development Conference: Focusing on Well-Being

By Mary Ann Powell, Conference Director

Convened by the premier career development association, the annual NCDA conference is an annual opportunity to learn, earn continuing education units, network, meet leaders in the association and the field, explore a vibrant city, and gain significant professional and personal resources for another year of service to clients, students, and ourselves. The Interconnection of Career Development and Mental Health: Strategies and Techniques to Promote Well-Being and Success is the theme of the 2024 conference scheduled for June 25-28, 2024 in San Diego, California. The collaborative effort of many individuals and organizations makes this three-day event (or four, if professional development institutes are added on) full of presentations, keynote sessions, constituency and committee meetings, receptions, and exhibitor interactions.

Full details are posted on the NCDA conference website at www.ncdaconference.org including information on how to register, a tentative agenda, the link to make reservations at the conference location (the Sheraton San Diego Hotel & Marina Hotel), an exhibitor prospectus and much more.

Quality Presentations
NCDA received over 300 proposals for presentations. From these, the conference program committee, chaired by Dr. Debra Osborn, had the difficult job of selecting valuable and unique presentations to be part of the conference. The NCDA President, Carolyn Jones, personally selected the following keynote speakers.

Dr. Barry Chung is a native of Hong Kong, Y. Barry Chung received his A.M. and Ph.D. in counseling psychology from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, and his B.A. in educational psychology and counseling from the National Taiwan Normal University. Prior to his current appointment as Dean of the College of Education at San Diego State University, he was at Indiana University Bloomington Northeastern University, and Georgia State University. Dr. Chung’s research interests include career development, multicultural counseling, sexual orientation, and gender diversity issues. He is past president of NCDA and received their Eminent Career Award in 2019, the highest honor of the Association. Read his full bio here.

Dr. Dayna Jones is a licensed clinical psychologist in South Florida. She has been practicing for 10 years as a psychologist working in various settings including community mental health, prison and long and short-term psychiatric hospitals. She is the owner of Jones Psychological Health Services, LLC. As the sole psychologist in her private practice, she works with adults suffering from mild to severe psychological distress. Dr. Jones’ commitment to her clients allows her the ability to understand how identity, history, desire, motivation, circumstances, and overall psychological health impact career choices.  Read her full bio here.

Dr. Candy Ho is a proud recipient of NCDA's 2022 International Practitioner of the Year Award. Dr. Ho is an international award-winning career development educator and scholar whose expertise is recognized globally through keynotes and engagements. Her insights have been featured in prestigious media outlets including BNN Bloomberg, The Globe and Mail, Financial Post, Canadian Business, National Post, and CTV news. Originally from Hong Kong, she currently serves as Chancellor's Research Chair at Kwantlen Polytechnic University and teaches in Douglas College's Career Development Practitioner Program. Read her full bio here.

Dr. Spencer Niles served as Dean (2013-2020) for the School of Education at William & Mary where he was ranked as the 11th most influential dean of education in the United States. Previously, Niles served at Johns Hopkins University, Penn State, the Finnish Institute for Educational Research, and at the University of Virginia. He is the current Editor for Counselor Education & Supervision and is a Past-President of the National Career Development Association. He received the Eminent Career Award from NCDA in 2007. His full can be read here.

Dr. Mark Savickas is professor and chair emeritus of the Behavioral Sciences Department at the Northeast Ohio Medical University and teaches career counseling at Kent State University. He has received the Eminent Career Award from the National Career Development Association, the Leona Tyler Award for Outstanding Achievement in Counseling Psychology from the American Psychological Association, and the Distinguished Contributions Award from the European Society for Vocational Designing and Career Counseling. Read his full bio here.

Featured Activities for Professional Development

The NCDA conference is known for the variety of opportunities to grow as a professional in the field of the career development. The biggest benefit is the interactions with fellow participants in both planned and unplanned occasions throughout the conference. Consider these options:

Professional Development Institutes: For those interested in continuing education, NCDA offers the option to register for Professional Development Institutes (PDIs) for a more in-depth look into specific career topics. (PDIs require additional registration fees). Scheduled for June 25, the day before the conference opening session, detailed PDI options are posted online at www.ncdaconference.org

New! Mentoring Moments: During the 2024 conference, professionals will have the opportunity to engage in “Mentoring Moments”. This will entail 15–30-minute segments where experienced career development professionals will connect with early career development professionals to support career wellness. During this period, mentors will foster a sense of belonging and community by facilitating meaningful and personalized conversations on a specific career concern. These moments will not only impart knowledge and skills but will also inspire mentees to explore their potential, pursue their aspirations and engage with NCDA. View more details, including the link to the sign-up on the Mentoring webpage. (Note: the interaction is free, but sign-up is required and space is limited.)

DEI Symposium: Back by popular demand, a focus on social justice issues and diversity, equity, inclusion, belonging, and accessibility (DEIBA) will be evident throughout the conference. Read more details about the symposium.

Network with Contemporary Participants: Career development practitioners, facilitators, counselor educators, counselors, specialists, and more participate in the annual conference. Graduate students are very much welcomed and encouraged to attend. NCDA Board members, committee chairpersons, state career development association leaders, and honored award winners are all an active part of the conference.

Enjoy Your Visit to San Diego, California

San Diego is a city known for its perfect weather, miles of sandy beaches, ocean breezes, and dozens of fun, educational, and family-friendly attractions. Its consummate laid-back attitude makes it the perfect location for career professionals from around the world to focus on mental health. The average temperature of 70°F/21°C and about 325 sunny days per year draws travelers to its charismatic communities such as Carlsbad, Coronado, Del Mar, the Gaslamp Quarter, Point Loma, Chula Vista, Old Town, La Jolla, and many others. Popular family destinations include LEGOLAND, the San Diego Zoo, PETCO Park, Scripps Aquarium, Sea World, USS Midway Museum, and 18 museums in the world-class Balboa Park. Proximity to Mexico plays at important role in the city’s international flavor, creating a robust local and international economy.

Register now to attend the annual conference in support of your personal and professional mental wellness! NCDA looks forward to seeing you and your career development contemporaries at the 2024 Global Career Development Conference.

NCDA wishes to acknowledge the work of the Program Review Committee:

Mary Ann Powell is the Conference Director. She can be reached at mpowell@ncda.org