Peeriodical: An Exciting Career Path with SFU’s Career Development Practitioner Certificate

Seeking to change, upgrade, develop or build your career? Do you like helping people and have an interest in career development? If so, Simon Fraser University’s continuing education program “Career Development Practitioner Certificate” within Career and Life Planning may be your answer to a meaningful career with promising job prospects.

Depending on what best fits your schedule and whether or not you wish to work while studying, you may chose the part-time or full-time program delivery option; the full-time program takes 4 months of full-time study, while the part-time program can be completed in as little as 8 months (to a maximum of 2 years).
This National Career Development Association (NCDA)-accredited program is delivered in a cohort model for an optimal learning experience and is divided into 9 modules which consist of courses, 2 practicum placements, Job Finding Club Training and Personality Dimensions I Training. Course topics include career theory, counselling skills, career planning, labour market trend analysis, resume writing skills, vocational rehabilitation, group facilitation, and program management to name a few. 

In my opinion, the role of SFU Career Peer will serve as an advantage for prospective applicants to the certificate as many aspects of the program are well-related to both our training and experience in the SFU Career Centre.

Factors considered in the admission process include educational background, experience, personality, interest in the field and in helping others, and EQ.
Graduates of the program can expect to work for a wealth of government-funded programs (after all, it is in the government’s best interests to keep the public employed, and thus it is willing to put money into employment services!) Positions in high schools and post-secondary institutions are also available, but tend to be more competitive. Employment for graduates has been good – around 85-90% – and graduates can expect to make around $20-24/hr.

The cost of the program which includes access to SFU resources is $6700, plus approximately $200 for textbooks.

Detailed info sessions are held most months. To register for an info session or for more information on the program (including course descriptions and program contact information) please visit: http://www.sfu.ca/cstudies/mpprog/careerpractitioner.htm

For more information about the field, please visit:
Career Management Association of BC: http://bccma.ca/
BC Career Development Association: http://www.bccda.org/
National Career Development Association: www.ncda.org (American site)

Rebecca Simms, SFU Career Peer