Evaluate the following course learning outcomes:

 

3.0 Research: Labour Market and Occupations

3.1 Identify quality sources of occupational and labour market information.

3.2 Conduct a minimum of four informational interviews.

3.3 Analyze the result of an in-depth labour market and occupational research on themselves as professionals in the career development field.

3.4 Identify potential hosts/employers: mission, vision, target population(s), that match results from self-assessment.

3.5 Identify career options related to the career development field.

3.6 Identify a variety of career practitioner settings.

Purpose:

To explore the career development field to gather information useful to the student's decision-making about future career goals. This research intends to uncover organizations that hire CDPs, various roles /specialties where CDPs may apply their skills, potential placement opportunities, and other related labour market and occupational information elements.

To develop and practice skills in conducting information meetings and building a professional network. To practice key research techniques that will be used in coaching future clients.

Description

A report synthesizing information gathered through labour market research in the local areas where the student would like to find a CDP placement or employment. The presentation/report will provide background information, cover the following four** areas and answer the guiding questions. Use the 4 categories as Section Headings.

**Within the four categories, discuss labour market prospects, wages/salary, job titles/roles, working environment, type of organization and services, challenges, trends, career pathways, and whatever else you believe is important. Remember to compare/contrast this information to your needs, skills, and preferences

. 1. Unexpected Information -

What unexpected information have you learned?

How does this compare to your needs and interests?

2. Local Opportunities and Areas Where I May Contribute - Referencing the 10 organizations that hire CDPs in your commuting distance and the types of programs/services they offer for what client groups, in what areas do you see yourself making a contribution: a specific target group(s), and/or a particular position(s), and why do you say this? Which organizations intrigue you and why?

3. Competencies/skills/Educational Assets Employers Require - Describe what type of entry-level positions are found in the field. Identify the pre-requisite skills, education, or competencies to meet employer expectations. What other education or skill areas are assets and may be helpful for your career growth or pathing? How do these factors compare to your current competencies/skills/education? What would you need to develop?

4. Other Important Information Learned - Discuss other relevant information that does not fit into the above categories.

Directions

This report will be submitted in two parts:

Part A - Secondary Research (internet-based) and Part B - Primary Research (Informational interviews). Both should focus on the commuting area you are seeking placement/employment.

Part A:

A. Select the region you wish to investigate - that is, the geographical area you are seeking placement or employment.

1. Enter info on the class spreadsheet.

2. Locate a credible source of demographic information to learn about your community and employer base.

B. Gather occupational and labour market information through internet sources to learn about the CDP field. Government (municipal, provincial, national), non-government, and professional body/association information needs to be included.(You are encouraged to use sources from class content or discussions and find others.)

C. Locate organizations that hire CDPs in your region and list info in your appendix.

1. Review their websites for info pertinent to your report, including service information, mission, and vision.

2. Find CDP jobs/ and related roles.

3. Identify possible networking contacts, generally: specific names are not needed at this point..

D. Prepare a written or narrated PowerPoint presentation (submit MP4 or YouTube link) outlining your research that falls under the four categories (above) and includes:

An introduction that outlines the research's purpose and goal and a summary/conclusion that includes how you will use this information for your next steps.

1-2 pages of demographic information about the community you live in. Identify what profile your clientele might have, what industries are prevalent in the region and any surprising information you learned.

Appendix A chart: an alphabetical list of 10 + organizations, and websites URL, with a brief description of programs/services and related CDP job roles located/learned Cite your sources within your report and include an APA formatted reference list; include the organization's websites that you reviewed.

Submit this portion of the assignment to the folder by the due date

Part B:

A. Identify four or more contacts you would like to connect with for informational meetings.

1. Enter prospects on the class spreadsheet.

2. Research them on LinkedIn.

3. Draft a script and reach out to request an informational meeting that is done in person or via a virtual platform (ie Zoom, MS Teams, Google Meets, etc)

. B. Create a bank of appropriate questions to ask the contact about their experiences, roles, and organizations and to learn about the CDP field.

C. Complete the information meetings and reflect on the experience.

D. Prepare a written or narrated PowerPoint presentation (submit MP4 or YouTube link) outlining your research that falls under the four categories (above) and includes the following:

A compare/contrast of what your network contacts said about the information you reported in Part A. An introduction, outline the purpose and your goal of the research, and a summary/conclusion that includes how you will use this information for your next steps.

A summary reflection of the following:

what emotions were elicited in this process of networking and conducting information meetings and why they are important to recognize, what worked well, and what would you do differently in the future when you need to do them?

Citation of your sources within your report and a reference list that includes: the name of the person interviewed, contact info (phone, email or LinkedIn), date of interview, and method of interview (eg in person or over Zoom) Submit this portion of the assignment to the folder by the due date.

Sharing resources: For those of you in the same region, watch the spreadsheet to see who is being interviewed from which agency. Consider a joint information meeting for 1-2 (not all!) of your networking contacts. Even better would be to meet a different contact from the organization and share findings with each other . (Information reported on must be gathered first-hand.)

Length: written reports should be double-spaced and 6-12 pages, not including the cover page and appendices/reference lists. A recorded presentation should aim to be 6-10 minutes. All formats must appropriately include proper APA formatting for acknowledging and citing sources. (It is noted that Part B's Contact (reference) list does not follow APA formatting; list alphabetically and include details instructed above.)

Rubric: See Labour Market Report Rubric for grading criteria. Unless otherwise stated, your assignment will be graded seven business days after it is due. See your Program Handbook for the late policy.