11/01/2024

Creating My Career Path: Embracing Change in My Journey: the 59th Annual NCDA Poetry and Art Contest

By Kymmie Cartledge

Nurturing Youth

Do you know a young person who is beginning their career journey? My ten-year-old niece loves all things football. She knows the rules of the game and information about most of the players. She also plays flag football and has been to several football exhibits. She is an avid South Carolina Gamecocks fan and attends their football games, even though her parents met at Clemson University. When she was five, my niece wanted to be a veterinarian, but as her interests have grown, she has changed her aspirations to be a sports commentator.

During a recent conversation, I told my niece that to be a sports commentator, she would have to overcome her fear of public speaking. I then gave her some advice on how to gain more experience with public speaking. She will have to make changes while facing this challenge as she moves closer to achieving her career goals. Her parents, teachers, friends, and other family members can help her nurture her interest in sports and overcome obstacles she may face in school and as she gets started in her career.

Invitation to Celebrate

Inspired by my niece's journey, I invite you to celebrate National Career Development Month and the career journeys we are all on. NCDA and state career development associations celebrate our professional field every November with career development activities. The National Career Development Month Committee invites you to participate in the 59th Annual Poetry and Art Contest. This year's theme is "Creating My Career Path: Embracing Change in My Journey." Participants are invited to explore creating their futures and embracing the changes that will inevitably come. They can explore how to overcome obstacles and adapt to new situations at home, school, work, or with friends through the artistic use of words, ink, graphics and more.

Perhaps also inspired by the young person in your life, you, a career development professional, are highly encouraged to enter the adult contest divisions. Your unique path as a career practitioner/educator can inspire the population you serve.

Every adult and student enrolled in public, private, and parochial schools in states with participating NCDA state divisions is eligible. Contest divisions areas include:

• Primary - grades K-2
• Intermediate - grades 3-5
• Middle - grades 6-8
• Senior - grades 9-12
• Adult Student - ages 18 and older, enrolled in school
• Open Adult - ages 18 and older, not enrolled in school

The National Career Development Month committee will use an online format for collecting poetry and art submissions. State career development association coordinators will electronically submit winning entries from their state contests to NCDA prior to the deadlines listed below. Individuals without a state coordinator will submit directly to NCDA using the Individual Submission form linked on the website in the brochure.

• Building/School Contest Submitted to State Contest by December 20, 2024
• State Contest submitted online to National Contest by February 20, 2025
• Individuals who do not have a State Contest must self-submit entries online by February 20, 2025

The winning entries for each division will be recognized and displayed on the NCDA website in May 2025, as well as during the NCDA Global Career Development Conference, which will be held in Atlanta, Georgia, June 18 – June 20, 2025. National first, second and third place winning entries will receive a certificate and special congratulatory gift from NCDA.

Annual Celebration Embraces Creativity

More ways to celebrate National Career Development Month and additional resources are listed on the webpage. Career activities for all various age groups have been published in NCDA’s web magazine, Career Convergence.  State career development association leaders are encouraged to share governor’s proclamations and other exciting celebrations throughout the month.

If you have questions about NCD Month or the Poetry and Art contest, view the NCDA website or  reach out to NCD Month Chair Kymmie Cartledge (kcartledge@lexington1.net)

Kymmie Cartledge, M.ED, CCSP, GCDF, is a career specialist in Lexington County (South Carolina) School District One, serving students at Lexington High School. Additionally, she inspires individuals to create a life they can enjoy through her mobile vision board service, Glitter, Glue, and Goals. She’s pursuing a doctorate in educational practice and innovation with a concentration in curriculum studies at The University of South Carolina. Kymmie has chaired NCDA’s National Career Development Month Committee since 2020, overseeing the annual Poetry and Art Contest. Kymmie’s accomplishments were recognized in 2023 when she received the NCDA Presidential Award. She can be reached at kcartledge@lexington1.net