For the past few years, the Maryland Counseling Association (MCA) has hosted its annual conference in November. This year was no exception. However, this year is a special year as the association celebrates its 50th year. Founded in 1967, MCA’s mission is “to promote public confidence, and trust in the counseling profession and to influence policies that affect professional counselors and the welfare of the diverse clients they serve.”
Attendees flew and drove from across the country to attend this three-day conference, located in Baltimore, Maryland. For this operational year, 2017 -2018, the association is under the leadership of Ms. Karol Taylor. Ms. Taylor is a nationally recognized expert Federal Career Consultant at Taylor Your Career. She is also the author of two books, “Finding Your Federal Job Fit” and “Guide to America’s Federal Jobs“.
I didn’t attend the conference last year, but I was actually in town and able to attend this year. The conference focused on hot issues of today. Starting with this one, in my next few articles, I will share some of the key discussion points. It will definitely give you something to think and talk about.
The theme for this years conference was Courageous Conversations: Diversity and Inclusion. Attendees were able to select from over 70 education sessions and roundtable discussions. They were also able to view ten poster sessions. In reviewing the program, the topics were meant to stimulate conversations on sensitive issues many people avoid talking about. These issues are key issues that lead an individual into counseling or working with a coach.
The opening keynote was presented by Dr. Rich Feller. Dr. Feller has served a distinguished career in the career development/counseling arena. He served as the National Career Development Association’s President from 2012 -2013 and was awarded the NCDA Eminent Career Award. He has served as a consultant to NASA, UN, NFL, AARP and international companies on six continents. Personally speaking with Dr. Feller, and seeing the response of others around him, it is very easy to see how well respected he is.
I always enjoy hearing Dr. Feller speak, but this time was even more significant as he went to a very vulnerable place sharing more and more of his personal story as it relates to career development. He shared the story of his son’s arrest, being sent to prison and how that impacted his career and life. He asked attendees to look closely at our own career and personal lives to see, are they truly separate or intertwined? We went through exercises to examine our lives to determine the answer. For many in the counseling world, some of what he spoke of offered a new way of looking at things.
Your career and personal life impact each other and therefore are intertwined. If you lose your job, you may need to make adjustments in your personal life. If you get a raise, you may be able to take that vacation you always wanted which would strengthen your marriage or social life. Spending long hours at work everyday and bringing work home with you? It can impact your marriage.
Whenever I work with clients who are considering a career change or transition, I have them examine how it would impact other areas of their lives. They may find it is not the right time to move or to take a position with increased responsibilities. We walk through exercises to determine what they value in life so they can understand what their priorities are. Through this process, they can align their values with their career. Dr. Feller also spoke of a similar process.
One of the key points Dr. Feller addressed, which I am in agreement with is, regardless of how old you are, you are still trying to become something. We often speak of what we have done in life. But, we should be asking what is next. You should continue to seek possibilities, still growing and adding value to the world. The name of my company, Infinity Coaching, represents this for everyone. It is about understanding the possibilities that exist in life and not giving up.
By Dr. Feller sharing his personal stories and facilitating exercises for the attendees you gained a better understanding of how your career and personal life are not separate. He continues to serve as an industry leader serving as the Lead Trainer for the Career Development Network’s Job and Career Development Coach (JCDC) and Job and Career Transition Coach (JCTC) Coach Certificate held by over 8,000 coaches around the world.
My next stop at the conference was to learn about The Amazon Mystique. Curious about what that is? You’ll find out in part two of the series, Courageous Conversations with MCA.
Carolyn R. Owens has over 25 years of proven experience and serves as a Career Strategist, Leadership and Life Coach. She is the Chairwoman and CEO of Infinity Coaching, Inc. where they help you up-level your skills so you can up-level your income. Infinity Coaching, Inc. provides one-on-one and group coaching, organizational training, personality assessments and a signature program, the Infinity Coaching Inner Circle. Find out more at https://infinitycoaching.net
