OCDA February 2025 Newsletter

Welcome to the Ohio Career Development Association Newsletter!

As we continue to navigate an ever-evolving professional landscape, the Ohio Career Development Association remains committed to supporting career development professionals across the state. In this edition of our newsletter, we bring you updates on upcoming events, professional development opportunities, and the latest trends in the career development space. Whether you're looking to expand your network, discover new resources, or stay informed about the latest industry insights, we're here to help! Thank you for being a valued member of OCDA — together, we are shaping the future of career development in Ohio!

Join us for an exciting webinar taking place on Monday, March 17th. 

Register online HERE

Do you have photos from past OCDA meetings, events, or conferences? We want to see them as part of our 50th Anniversary Celebration this year! Please share any OCDA photos with us at ohiocda@gmail.com. 

Call for Proposals
DEADLINE EXTENDED: Friday, March 7, 2025

Want to Share Your Expertise? Submit a proposal for the OCDA 2025 Conference! This year’s conference theme is Seasons of Change in Career Development: Where We’ve Been, Where We Are, and Where We’re Going, and the theme consists of 3 pillars that will be used as guidance for our selection of presentations. To learn more about OCDA’s conference theme and guiding pillars as well as submit a proposal, you can follow THIS LINK. The deadline to submit your proposal is FRIDAY, March 7, 2025, at 11:59pm EST. 

Sponsorship Packages

Sponsor the 2025 OCDA Conference!

Does your organization want to support career development in the state of Ohio? Consider sponsoring the 2025 OCDA Conference! This conference serves as a pivotal gathering for professionals in the career development field, bringing together leaders, practitioners, coaches, and educators from across the state.

Why sponsor the OCDA Conference?

Exposure

Networking

Brand Recognition

Variety of Sponsorship Packages available

To learn more about sponsorship packages, please visit ocdaonline.org/sponsorships

Questions about the conference?

Email President-Elect/Conference Planning Chair, Kaleigh Mahon at kmahon3@kent.edu.

Government Relations Updates

The OCDA Government Relations Committee (GRC) is excited to share the launch of our Advocacy webpage on the OCDA website! This new page will be for news/information about the Government Relations Committee.

Check out the latest Pulse On Ohio article for a ton of helpful links, resources and information that would be beneficial to you and the constituency groups you serve HERE

Want to get more involved with OCDA? Join the Awards Committee!

If you're looking for ways to get involved in OCDA, consider joining the Awards Committee to help coordinate the awards presented at our Annual Conference. For further information, contact Anna-Kaye Rowe, Awards Chair at rowea@ohio.edu. We have two openings available.

2025 OCDA Awards Nominations are Now Open!

Every year, OCDA recognizes professionals in the field of career development! This year, OCDA is looking for nominations for four different awards. Nominate a colleague for the following awards:

Outstanding Graduate Student Award

The Career Innovator Award

The Bob Windle Leadership Award

Conference Themed Award: The Transformational Impact Award

Visit ocdaonline.org/awards to complete the nomination form.

Celebrating 50 Years of OCDA: 1975-2025

Trivia Fun: Introduced in 1975, this candy has pressurized carbon dioxide gas bubbles embedded inside it, creating a slight popping reaction when it dissolves. Name that candy.

Stay tuned for the next newsletter for more 50th anniversary trivia and the answer to this month's trivia question. Attend OCDA professional development events and keep with OCDA on social media for a chance to win a prize at the OCDA conference in June!

Featured Career Resource: OhioMeansJobs.com

OhioMeansJobs.com has a ton of cool career resources that can be shared with your students/clients!

Resources include but are not limited to:

Resume builder and rater

Budget calculator

Skill and interest assessments

Free GED in college entrance practice tests

Interviewing practice tool

Job listings/job search platform

Information about in-demand careers with links to local training programs and scholarships

Career Zone video library

Career skills information

Virtual and in person workshops

Special sections for veterans, students, and workers with disabilities

Some of these services are also offered in person at OhioMeansJobs centers across the state and every county has an OhioMeansJobs center!

If you have any ideas for membership email content, please email Chelsea Francis at cfranci1@cscc.edu.