SAVE THE DATE! 

2025 OCDA Conference

June 5-6, 2025

Ashland University, Ashland, Ohio

Dear OCDA Members,

I am thrilled to extend an invitation to the OCDA 2025 Conference, Seasons of Change in Career Development: Where We’ve Been, Where We Are, and Where We’re Going. This Conference and the year 2025 are particularly special because it is OCDA’s 50th anniversary! In celebration of this exciting milestone, the idea of the passage of time has been incorporated into the conference’s theme, and we have a 50th anniversary celebration planned for the first night of the conference!

The conference theme and guiding pillars have been shaped with intentionality and the goal of providing career professionals with a well-rounded program of presentations that fit the needs of all of our constituency groups. In a world that is constantly changing, it is important to do our best to prepare ourselves to meet the needs of any client or student that seeks our help. In our pursuit of preparation for the future, it is important that we reflect on the past as well as consider the present and the best practices that we can build on moving into the future. At the conference, you will have the opportunity to:

• Increase your scope of practice - Gain valuable insights and understanding of special populations including their needs, perspectives, and preferred approaches to career development. You will also gain essential knowledge and skills to be able to effectively advocate for and establish equity within the workplace to ensure that all individuals can find their passion, use their knowledge and skills, and thrive!

• Understand career development throughout the lifespan - Evaluate and add to your toolbelt of strategies to effectively nurture career understanding, exposure, and development throughout childhood, adolescence, and beyond! These presentations will ensure you have the knowledge and actionable takeaways to share with clients, students, and colleagues in order to effectively navigate the current world of work as well as help yourself and others find a balance between personal and professional life.

• Be one step ahead of other career professionals - With a focus on creativity, technology, strengths, and more, attendees will receive first hand looks at innovative strategies to help clients/students and will be immersed in discussions about the current and potential future impacts technology will have on career readiness and growth. 

Why Should You Attend the 2025 OCDA Conference?

• Gain insights into cutting-edge interventions

• Network with career professionals from throughout the state of Ohio and beyond

• Elevate your career and gain tools/knowledge to elevate the careers of others

• Celebrate a significant milestone in OCDA’s rich history!

Our Target Audience

Whether they identify as counselor educators, career center staff, coaches, career development facilitators, rehabilitation counselors, consultants, transition specialists, managers, labor market and employment specialists, or school counselors and administrators, our content is crafted to benefit those working in colleges/universities, private practice, K-12 schools, business and industry, community services, workforce development, corrections, One-Stop centers, agencies, and government.

Want to Share Your Expertise? Submit A Proposal! 

The Conference Call For Proposals application will be available this coming week on Monday, November 18th! To learn more about OCDA’s conference theme and guiding pillars, you can follow THIS LINK. The deadline to submit your proposal will be January 10th, 2025 at 11:59pm EST. Proposals will be reviewed by OCDA Board members and other volunteers from OCDA’s membership. Reviewers will be assessing proposals and considering factors such as quality, target audience, and alignment with the conference theme/guiding pillars. If a proposal is accepted, up to two presenters listed on the proposal will have their registration cost for the conference waived. For all inquiries and correspondence related to program proposals, please email President-Elect/Conference Planning Chair, Kaleigh Mahon at kmahon3@kent.edu.

Additional information about conference registration will be announced at a later time. Be sure to continue checking OCDA’s website for conference information/updates and exciting announcements.

In a career landscape that is always shifting, we know that having the opportunity to attend a conference with a well-rounded program rich in diverse presentations, tools, and perspectives is highly sought after. We hope that you will join us not only to learn and network, but also celebrate a significant milestone in OCDA’s history!