From the Field by the NSCDA

In this episode of From the Field, two of our own voices from the NSCDA take center stage. Host Tara Deveau, Program Assessor and Certified Career Development Practitioner (CCDP), sits down with her colleague Lisa Strong, a Career Services Specialist and CCDP, to share Lisa’s journey into the field of career development.

From her start in education to case management and now mentoring practitioners, Lisa reflects on the value of learning, practice, and professionalism throughout her career. Together, Tara and Lisa explore what certification means for practitioners, why it strengthens the profession as a whole, and how recognizing prior learning is shaping the future of career development.

In this episode of From the Field, NSCDA’s Mitchell Tempro is joined by Dr. Cindy Hamon-Hill, a research psychologist and manager of a neuroimaging lab at Dalhousie University. Together, they explore empathy as more than just “understanding someone’s feelings” - unpacking its layers, its role in uncovering client needs, and how it builds trust in career development relationships.

Drawing on their collaboration in developing The ARC of Empathy training, Mitchell and Cindy discuss how empathy can be recognized, adjusted, and applied as a practical tool in everyday client interactions. From strengthening connections to leading with emotional intelligence, this conversation highlights why empathy is central to meaningful career development practice.

In this episode of From the Field, NSCDA’s Connie Corse and Teresa Francis explore the rise of microcredentials and their impact on today’s job market. With insight and practical examples, they unpack what microcredentials are, why they’re gaining attention, and how they help job seekers, career practitioners, and employers alike. From stackable learning to skills-based hiring, this conversation shows why microcredentials are more than a buzzword—they’re a pathway from learning to earning. If you work in career services, hire talent, or are looking to grow your own skills, this episode is for you.

In this debut episode of From the Field, NSCDA’s Kathy McKee and Connie Corse explore the quiet but powerful role of hope in career development. With warmth and insight, they reflect on how hope shows up in client conversations, how practitioners hold and foster it, and why it might be one of the most important tools in the field. If you work in career services—or care about the human side of work—this 10-minute conversation is for you.