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Caroline Jones (Campaign Manager) Blog - 26 August 2009

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Transforming adversity into opportunity

Career development is for everyone and one of the key messages of the NCDW campaign is that learning is ongoing! And so, one of the prizes in recognition of outstanding achievement in organising registered NCDW career development events was for a number of places for our hard working NCDW event organisers to attend a breakfast seminar entitled "Black Clouds Bring Rain! ...changing the way you think" in Brisbane, Sydney, Melbourne and Adelaide.

The competitions held so far this year have included:

Make a submission for becoming a lead event

Tell us where you saw or heard an NCDW CSA, interview, or other publicity

Tell us how you spread the word about your event

Have your say about career development

In my last blog entry a few weeks ago, I shared with you some of the fantastic feedback, event stories and photos we've already received, but we're always looking for great ideas - so keep your feedback coming, as we still have prizes waiting to be awarded. Check out the latest stories and ideas on our website.

We'll be announcing more prizes in the next few days, recognising the achievements of our NCDW event organisers, including 10 career development books, and some Myer gift vouchers. So be sure to keep your eyes on our competitions page.

In the meantime, here are some comments - and a podcast ! - from the NCDW event organisers who attended the leadership seminars presented by Des Penny, who are happy to be able to share what they've learned with their staff, students, or clients, and with YOU the NCDW community ...

Marlene Maney, Careers Counsellor, SACE/VET Executive Assistant, Cardijn College, (SA):

The presentation "Black Clouds Bring Rain" by Des Penny challenged me to think about how we all need to think in an ever changing environment.

I wish to adopt a 'What If It Worked' mentality. Des made the following key points:

Prepare the ground to receive the rain - work hard right now;
Plant the seed that you want to harvest - know your purpose and vision;
Ensure that you are preparing for the next storm or drought that comes along -put growth strategies into place;
Black clouds bring rain - will you focus on the clouds or celebrate the rain? It is a choice! Celebrating your success will bring success.

Inspirational!!

Meri Ivanovska, Career & Transition Project Officer - Mentoring, Inner Melbourne VET Cluster, (VIC):

"Raise the level of your launch pad (or lower your target)". What I loved most about the point above is that it can relate to business, community, management, organisations but can also be applied to one's personal aspirations! Des made some great points about how you manage workload, work place personalities and processes so that you may be able to reach your full potential through great leadership.

Robyn Elliott, Employer Liaison Officer, Careers Service, The University of Adelaide, (SA):

The importance of celebrating success stood out to me from Des Penny's presentation and his passion for using those hard times, both in business and in your personal life, as a great season for trying new things and building on what IS working.

Alan Giblin, TAFE Counsellor, Belmont TAFE, (NSW):

Des Penny's presentation "Black Clouds Bring Rain" was a timely reminder that in times of uncertainty you have the choice of letting those black clouds rob you of everything, or you can recognise that they could actually hold the answer, and that we must make a decision TO DO SOMETHING! This has been a pertinent point to share with students I see here at Belmont TAFE, to help them learn that they can control their futures.

Keith Keller, Career Coach, Blog Talk Radio Presenter & Online Job Search Specialist, (VIC):

Listen to Keith's comments on the leadership seminar and the NCDW campaign via this podcast from the online radio show he co-presents with Annemarie Cross. For more information, or to join in with their regular discussions, visit the community page at www.careercommuniqueradio.com

National Career Development Week forms part of a larger year-long campaign and is an initiative of the Career Industry Council of Australia with funding from the Department of Education, Employment and Workplace Relations.

Watch this space, for more campaign news as it happens.

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