We cordially invite you to submit proposals for our upcoming North Carolina Career Development Association (NCCDA) Conference, scheduled for March 14, 2025. This 1-day conference promises to be an enlightening and enriching experience for all attendees, fostering collaboration, innovation, and growth in the field of career development while maintaining a focus on wellness. The conference will feature exciting keynote speakers, breakout sessions, and networking opportunities.

We are excited to share our theme of Balancing Autonomy and Well-Being: Managing Career Autonomy While Ensuring a Healthy Work-life Balance for the 2025 NCCDA Conference at RD Graham Electric in Greensboro, North Carolina.

The 2025 Conference Committee is seeking proposals that reflect best practices in the field, informed by theory and cognizant issues related to wellness. 

The committee invites proposals that: 

• Stimulate and provoke discussion and audience engagement 
• Deliver model practices using approaches promoting the balance of career and healthy work-life balances for various career fields 
• Present content for professionals in the K-12, Higher Education, and/or Private Practice setting 
• Explore career issues related to establishing healthy boundaries 
• Provide practical content that audience members can implement such as effective time management strategies and doable organizing approaches 
• Include resources that promote successful implementation of work-life balance 
• Strengthen the career practitioner’s toolkit and/or well-being

Examples of possible topics may include:

• Exploring techniques for integrating work and personal life, creating boundaries, and maintaining overall well-being.
  
  

• • Discuss how increased autonomy can lead to greater job satisfaction and a healthier work-life balance.
    
    

• • Introduce mindfulness practices as tools for professionals to stay grounded and manage stress while pursuing career autonomy.
    
    

• • Work on the importance of setting boundaries in the workplace to protect personal time and support overall health.
    
    

• • Examine different work structures (remote, hybrid, in-office) and how they can be tailored to suit individual autonomy and well-being needs.
    
    

• • Analyze the impact of technology on work-life balance and share strategies to disconnect and recharge.
    
    

• • Facilitate reflection on personal values and career goals to achieve a sense of purpose while maintaining balance.
    
    

• • Discuss the necessity of downtime for maintaining creativity, productivity, and overall well-being.
    
    

• • Explore how organizations can foster an environment that supports autonomy while prioritizing employee well-being.
    
    

• • Understand how work-life balance needs vary at different career stages and ways to adapt to these changes effectively.
    
    

• • Discuss the relationship between professional choices and family dynamics, and how to achieve harmony in both areas.
    
    

• • Identify paths for career advancement that respect personal autonomy and prioritize mental health.

Evaluation criteria:

• Demonstrates best practice(s) in career development/counseling 
• Applies to career practitioners 
• Relevant and timely to conference theme 
• Overall appeal of program content 

The program will include a diverse array of presenters with different levels of experience representing multiple institutional/organizational types. Proposals submitted by presenters from single or multiple institutions will be considered equally. Membership with NCCDA is not a requirement to submit a proposal; however, all selected presenters are required to register and pre-pay for the conference.  Registration information and additional details will be provided after notification of your proposal acceptance. Please click the Conference Proposal Form link to submit your proposal.

Presenters will need to bring any electronic or printed materials needed for their breakout sessions. Breakout sessions should be approximately 50 minutes in length, with an additional 10 minutes for Q&A and will be limited to only 20 participants per session. Depending upon proposal acceptances, some sessions may be repeated to accommodate additional participants.

If you have any questions, please contact Emily Gomez, President, at egomez@hireheroesusa.org or Karen Ingram, Conference Chair, at Kdcannon3@gmail.com.

Submit Your Proposal Here

Attendees needing specific accommodations may contact nccdamembers@gmail.com prior to the conference.