by Jaimie Augustine
 
The Career Development Association of PEI Inc. (CDA of PEI) is celebrating Canada Career Month by highlighting the great work and career paths of its members.
 
CDA of PEI is a network of Career Development Professionals who work with people of all ages to help them manage their learning, work, leisure, and transitions. The goal of career services is to help people pursue learning, find work, which is personally meaningful, and learn how to manage transitions in today’s ever-evolving labour market.
 
Lisa Chaisson is Chair of CDA of PEI and an Employment Specialist at Immigrant and Refugee Services Association of PEI (IRSA PEI). In an interview, Lisa had a riveting story of how she achieved her present career through hard work and luck.
 
Lisa had no career plan or training in career development when she started her job search. Her first job was as an administrative assistant for a company that closed shortly after hiring her. She then decided to go back to school to take the Child and Youth Worker Program at Holland College.
 
After completing the program, she worked part-time in the education system, and then became a job coach with the Employment Pathways program, working with clients who had multiple barriers.  Her duties included job coaching, training, facilitation, and job placements. 
 
Lisa then became a Transitions Mentor for Holland College, working with youth in grades 11 and 12, introducing students to various programs throughout the college and helping them gain workplace skills and find their career paths.
 
During the summer break when Holland College programs were not in operation, Lisa found herself looking for work again.
 
She applied and interviewed for a position with PEI Association of Newcomers to Canada (PEI ANC) but did not get the job. Later, PEI ANC let her know about a different vacancy, a temporary summer position. 
 
The timing was perfect, as the Holland College program was coming to an end. Lisa took the temporary job with the PEI ANC, and enjoyed it so much, she knew she wanted to stay. She has now worked there for more than 13 years.
 
 The organization recently changed its name, and her job title changed as well. She was formerly known as an Employment Counsellor, and currently goes by the job title of Employment Specialist.  PEI ANC became The Immigrant and Refugee Services Association of PEI (IRSA PEI).
 
Through the CDA of PEI, Lisa completed the following courses: 

• Career Development Foundations
• Career Development Theories
• Ethics in Career Development Practice

 
CDA of PEI partnered with the Canadian Career Development Foundation (CCDF), which provides training, and Skills PEI provides funding to open opportunities for people in the field looking to enhance their employment and career development skills.
 
“As a result of my experience in the field and the courses I have taken, I am now eligible to become a certified Career Development Professional. This certification is available to those in the profession who meet the criteria. 
 
“My advice to those considering working in the field and those currently in the field is to network, take advantage of any training opportunities, and work towards CDP certification.”          
 
For more information about Immigration and Refugee Services Association of PEI, click here       
 
For more information about the Career Development Profession on PEI, click here

​CERIC has downloads of the book, 

Check out over 20 chapters with titles such as "Developing Effective Client Relationships" (Chapter 5)  "Employment Counselling and Poverty" (Chapter 10). 

The topics are extensive. The downloads are free. Check them out below:

Chapter 1 - The Emergence of Career Development in Canada Authors: Marilyn Van Norman (Canadian Education and Research Institute for Counselling), Blythe C. Shepard (University of Lethbridge) and Priya Mani (University of Manitoba)
355.47 KB

Chapter 2 - Its Evolution and Future Outlook Author: Louis Cournoyer (Université du Québec à Montréal)
125.21 KB

Chapter 3 - Key to Economic Development Author: Phil Jarvis (Career Cruising)
170.24 KB

Chapter 4 - Guiding Concepts for Career Development Practice Authors: Nancy Arthur (University of Calgary) and Sandra Collins (Athabasca University)
182.77 KB

Chapter 5 - Professional Ethics, Role, and the Whole Person Author: Geoffrey S. Peruniak (Athabasca University)
244.05 KB

Chapter 6 - Theoretical Foundations of Career Development Author: Roberta A. Neault (Life Strategies Ltd.)
211.29 KB

Chapter 7 - Developing Effective Client Relationships Authors: Beverley Walters (Alberta Institute for Life Skills, Literacy and Business Education), Blythe C. Shepard (University of Lethbridge) and Priya S. Mani (University of Manitoba)
204.51 KB

Chapter 8 - Career Planning, Knowledge, and Skills Authors: Kerri McKinnon and Kathleen Johnston (Concordia University College of Alberta)
238.72 KB

Chapter 9 - Work Search Strategies Author: Deirdre A. Pickerell (Life Strategies Ltd.)
482.14 KB

Chapter 10 - Employment Counselling and Poverty Author: Stephen Hill (Employment Counsellor)
320.59 KB

Chapter 11 - Immigrants in Canada Contexts and Issues for Consideration Authors: Lisa Bylsma (Nanaimo, British Columbia) and Sophie C. Yohani (University of Alberta)
370.28 KB

Chapter 12 - Refugees in Canada From Persecution to Preparedness Authors: Stephen J. Sutherland (Centre for Applied Settlement and Integration Studies) and Hany Ibrahim (Ottawa, Ontario)
182.97 KB

Chapter 13 - Exploring Career Development and Planning in Canada Authors: Natasha Carverley (Turtle Island Consulting Services Inc.), Suzanne Stewart (Ontario Institute for Studies in Eduction) and Blythe C. Shepard (University of Lethbridge)
235.43 KB

Chapter 14 - Elementary to High School Authors: Blythe C. Shepard (University of Lethbridge) and Priya S. Mani (University of Manitoba)
238.11 KB

Chapter 15 - The Practice of Postsecondary Career Development Authors: Jennifer Browne and Lisa Russell (Memorial University)
193.21 KB

Chapter 16 - Lifelong Career Management Authors: Sandra Boyd and Kim Spurgeon (Knightsbridge)
261.37 KB

Chapter 17 - Assessment in Career Guidance Authors: Jeffrey Landine and John Stewart (University of New Brunswick)
203.83 KB

Chapter 18 - A Holistic and Narrative Method of Practice Author: Mark Franklin (CareerCycles)
314.28 KB

Chapter 19 - Community Capacity Building as a Model for Career Development Planning Authors: Scott Fisher (City of Greater Sudbury, Ontario), Waylon Greggain (University of Toronto) and Blythe C. Shepard (University of Lethbridge)
162.93 KB

Chapter 20 - Demonstrating the Value of Career Development Services Authors: Bryan Hiebert (University of Calgary, University of Victoria) and Kris Magnusson (Simon Fraser University)
786.80 KB

Chapter 21 - The Professionalization of Career Development in Canada in the 21st Century Authors: Lynne Bezanson, Sareena Hopkins and Elaine O'Reilly (Canadian Career Development Foundation)
182.30 KB

Chapter 22 - Canadian Perspectives on Career Development Practice in the 21st Century Authors: Natasha Caverley (Turtle Island Consulting Services Inc.), Seanna Qressette (Creating Intentional Change Inc.), Blythe C. Shepard (University of Lethbridge) and Priya S. Mani (University of Manitoba)
167.84 KB

Appendices 263.79 KB

​