FAQs about NCDA and NCDA Members

Who are NCDA members?

NCDA members provide professional career interventions and support in various settings.

For example, a member may serve as:

  • a career counselor in private practice
  • a Career Services Provider (formerly called a Career Development Facilitator) in a Veterans Administration or one-stop career center
  • a school counselor
  • an executive career coach
  • a career specialist in a college career services center
  • a career consultant in retirement planning or
  • a professor who teaches courses in career development or career counseling.

 

What services do NCDA members perform?

NCDA members provide professional services and support across the life span.

For example:

  • A school counselor helps elementary students learn about the world of work and workers; encourages middle school students become aware of career clusters and identify areas of personal strengths and interests; and assists high school students relate academic studies to potential career goals.
  • A career specialist in a college career services center provides career counseling; helps students prepare resumes and practice for interviews; may arrange career fairs for students and employers; and advises students on obtaining the benefits of an internship or related experience.
  • A career specialist in private practice may provide a wide variety of services from career counseling and planning, assistance with resume writing and interviewing, and career coaching.
  • A Career Services Provider in a veterans or one-stop career center will help individuals access job listings, prepare a resume and plan for an interview, provide or arrange for counseling in personal or family issues that may affect employment, and offer followup assistance.
  • A college professor may teach career-related coursework, conduct research in the area of career development, and counsel students in their pursuit of education and career goals.

 

How does NCDA help members provide professional service?

NCDA provides extensive support to its members with a wide variety of services (see complete list under Membership: Benefits).

For example:

  • Research, including the the academic and peer-reviewed research reported in the Career Development Quarterly (CDQ) as well as surveys conducted by the Gallup and Harris organizations and reported in the media;
  • Publications and communications including the NCDA website, podcasts, webinars, the monthly e-magazine Career Convergence, the quarterly magazine Career Developments, numerous books and monographs on career topics and issues, and the previously mentioned Career Development Quarterly;
  • Professional and technical training and certification including the development of and ongoing training in the Facilitating Career Development (FCD) and NCDA Credential, as well as The Hub courses for professional development.
  • The NCDA annual conference provides an extensive array of presentations, institutes and programs for career professionals.
  • NCDA has an active Government Relations Committee which keeps members informed of the federal legislation affecting their practice.