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Lilia R. CDP Graduate 2008

Congratulations Lilia:  CCDP January 2011 

- "So what made you want to become an employment counsellor?"

The instructor was untangling cords of the projector mounted on the cart while we were waiting for our turn to enter into the classroom. This was my first day of starting CDP program at Douglas College. The classroom we were waiting for was still occupied and there were only two of us in the long, quiet corridor...

I was excited about starting a new chapter in my life, at the same time somewhat nervous over the prospects of going back to school, meeting my new classmates and instructors, participating in various class projects, doing homework assignments and ultimately starting my new career path.

I was a former ESL teacher who as many other foreign trained professionals came to Canada to start a new life... I've reflected on numerous paid and volunteer jobs that I'd done while trying to find my new identity in my new country... In retrospect, there was one theme that seemed to penetrate and connect various events and encounters and that was my deep curiosity, an unquenched interest about how different people chose their occupations and what fascinating turns and twists of life events brought them to where they were today. I've shared about an older cashier clerk who confined while processing my groceries that he used to be a French teacher; about my driving instructor whose precise instructions led me to learn about his accounting background. I recalled having an informational interview with someone who used to be a fire fighter and a movie maker. Today he is an employment counsellor who continuously inspires his clients to persevere and follow their dreams. I've said that with time, it became clear that a passion had been awakened in my heart to understand and help those who are still desperately searching for their "dream job".

The instructor didn't interrupt my story even once and later said that "No one wakes up one day and kind of decides to become an employment counsellor but it usually takes a few career changes and some life events before one hears his calling". I knew instantly then that I was in the right place - the CDP Program at Douglas College.

That day was almost two years ago. Since then I've graduated, volunteered and worked as an Employment Counsellor, and from time to time I have a privilege to share with the future students about my experiences at CDP program in Douglas. They often ask what I consider to be the highlights and the most valuable lesson learned while in the program. Here are a few points that I'm happy to share:

• According to a recent LMI source called "The Hot Sheet April 09", the demand for employment counsellors is on the rise. Career opportunities within the career development field may include:

• Career Practitioners
• Career Educators
• Employment Counsellors
• LMI Officers
• Newcomer Information & Support Workers
• Case Managers
• Vocational Rehabilitation Consultants
• Job Placement Professionals
• Program Managers
• Policy Makers

• The CDP program at Douglas College is well recognized in the industry and provides a solid foundation for your career. The program also meets the minimum requirements for the upcoming career practitioners' certification (CCDP) in 2011.

• The program is constantly evolving and continues offering new courses in response to the emerging requirements in the field. In some sense, I have never "graduated" from Douglas College and continued taking courses. In addition to CDP program, many of us proceeded to enroll into Job Club and Personality Dimensions Training and other related courses - Employing People with Learning Disabilities, Leading the Team, and Instructional Skills course to name a few. Starting next year, some of the courses will be offered online including an Advanced Certificate.

• The classes are facilitated by the group of instructors who are the winners of the BC Career Management Association's 2007 Team Excellence Award for their contribution to BC's career development community. They bring their wealth of expertise and up-to-date information into the classroom and are the best source to go to for any professional advice.

• Throughout the program we were continually encouraged to "stretch outside" of our "comfort zone", to try ourselves in the subjects that we were less familiar with. The most valuable lessons came from working in a group environment while collaborating on the assignments and from learning to provide and receive "constructive feedback" from our instructors and classmates.

• Class participation included reading at least three articles on the subject per the week and compiling lists of resources that we would later discuss in the class. We were also encouraged to become members and attend monthly training days offered by the ENET Society.

Staying current and well-informed has been one of the best habits that I developed while in the program. With ever evolving economy and labour market dynamics, our personal commitment to the life-long learning is one of the crucial prerequisites to our clients' success.  As the saying goes, "We cannot expect to solve the problems of tomorrow with yesterday's solutions." (Roger Von Oech)"