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Career Decision Making

Career Decision Making

Badge awarded to

Nichole Goguen


Issued on 05 Dec 2025 by

Nova Scotia Career Development Association

Nova Scotia Career Development Association

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This two-course module explores the Career Decision Making (CDM) process and the role of Career Development Practitioners. It examines a structured CDM model, including its strengths, limitations, and adaptation for diverse clientele. Key topics include decision-making styles and influences, as well as strategies for supporting clients through job loss. Participants will learn to navigate each step of the CDM process—self-evaluation, exploring career options, decision making and planning, and SMART goals—using assessment tools and current labour market information.
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Issuer

NSCDA: on the cutting edge of best practices, innovation, industry standards and professional certification for career development professionals.

Criteria

Type of recognition

Assessed Microcredential

Assessed Microcredential

Learning Outcomes

  1. Explain the role of Career Development Practitioners in helping clients with Career Decision-Making (CDM).
  2. List factors that influence Career Decision-Making.
  3. Describe the Career Decision-Making process.
  4. Explain how to carry out the initial intake process with clients.
  5. Explain how to assist clients in identifying their needs, interests, values, skills and personality within the context of Career Decision-Making.
  6. List tools and resources available to assist clients through the four stages of the CDM process.
  7. Describe how to gather accurate and current labour market information to assist decision-making.
  8. Identify situations where the needs of the client are beyond your scope of practice as a Career Practitioner and refer clients on to suitable supports.

Learning Content

Course 1: Career Decision Making Part 1

In this course, learners will explore the Career Decision Making (CDM) process and the critical role of Career Development Practitioners in helping clients navigate their career choices. You will be introduced to a structured CDM model, exploring its strengths and limitations, and learning how to adapt strategies to meet each client’s unique needs. Key topics include various decision-making styles, internal and external influences, conducting initial client intakes, and the importance of listening skills. Additionally, the course will review the Job Loss Cycle, its impact on clients, and strategies for supporting clients through the process.

Course 2: Career Decision Making Part 2

In this course, learners will explore the Career Decision Making (CDM) model, examining each step of the process in detail. You will learn to use various tools and resources to guide clients through the four stages of the CDM process: self-evaluation, exploring career options, decision-making and planning, and setting SMART goals. You will explore strategies to enhance clients' self-awareness through formal and informal assessment tools and exercises and learn how to gather accurate and current labour market information to aid clients in making informed decisions. Additionally, you will learn to implement SMART goals, maintain professional boundaries, and recognize when a client needs exceed your scope of practice, referring them to appropriate services.

Learning Experience, Activities

The self-paced online module includes reading text, viewing videos, and accessing articles to review. Reflective activities and knowledge check questions are embedded throughout.

Assessment

The learning outcomes are evaluated by a 40-question multiple-choice assessment with a requirement of 80% to pass.

Estimated learning effort

4 hours


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Alignments

The National Competency Profile for Career Development Professionals

https://cdpc-cedc.ca/our-profession/national-competency-profile/

The National Competency Profile for Career Development Professionals (National Profile) is a curation of competencies from the Competency Framework that details and describes effective performance, knowledge, understanding, and abilities for ALL Career Development Professionals regardless of role/setting.