Location: Online, Self-paced

Course Description
Within the last several years, many news networks including Forbes, CNN, US News and others have reported on the skilled-workers' shortage and the impact it is having on communities, individuals and the U.S. economy. Consequently, it is critical for educators to have career conversations with their students. Career education should begin in kindergarten and is exemplified by students who are knowledgeable about options and are prepared to enroll and succeed in any postsecondary experience without the need for remediation.

School counselors recognize that each student, regardless of background, possesses unique interests, abilities and goals that can lead to future opportunities such as qualifying for and succeeding in their chosen field. School counselors play a critical role in students’ career development by introducing them to careers and the world of work; providing learning and experiential opportunities for students to acquire behaviors and skills for career readiness; helping them understand the connection between school and the world of work; working with students to identify their interests, abilities, specific career clusters and postsecondary plans; and so much more. Collaborating with students, families, educational staff and the community, school counselor should work to ensure all students select their best postsecondary path. View the Specialist syllabus.

Learning Objectives
Upon completion of this course, you should be able to:

• Describe student outcomes/benefits associated with pre-K–12 career exploration
• Recognize and become familiar with different career options
• Identify potential career exploration interventions/activities
• Describe the role of the school counselor in career development
• Explain the theoretical foundations of the ASCA Career Conversations and Starter Questions
• Brainstorm and implement a career program in your school
• Articulate the four uses of the ASCA Career Conversations: assessment, prevention, intervention, collaboration
• Apply the ASCA Career Conversations to individual case studies based on the ASCA Mindsets & Behaviors
• Develop an objective based on the ASCA Mindsets & Behaviors and identify an ASCA Career Conversations intervention
• Develop a practical plan for integrating Career Conversations and Starter Questions into everyday practice with individual students, small groups, parents and community partners
• Strategize how to extend career initiatives to include STEM professions and activities
• Recognize academic habits that prepare students for postsecondary success
• Identify ways to incorporate academic habits curriculum into classroom lessons and small groups supporting K–12 learning objectives

Registration Fee
The Career Development Specialist training is $99 ($249 for nonmembers) and is equal to 5 CEUs/50 Contact Hours. Graduate credit is available for an additional fee.