08/01/2025

Publications Driven by Mission

By Natalie Scrimsher and Melanie Reinersman

Identifying quality publications can be challenging, yet is a requirement for most career development professionals. As an organization for professionals, the National Career Development Association (NCDA) not only defines the need for quality publications, it offers quality publications for purchase in the Career Resource Store.

Understanding and using current resources, such as publications, is one of the competencies that is covered in NCDA’s training program, Facilitating Career Development (FCD). In fact, an NCDA Certified Career Services Provider (CCSP) is required to have mastery of this competency.

As one of the key components of the NCDA Mission statement, publications can be used to inspire and empower individuals. “In the 21st century, digital formats make sense, yet there is still a place for print materials. NCDA aims to continue to offer carefully selected products that are of value to career development professionals” (Scrimsher & Reinersman, 2018, para. 9). The NCDA Career Resource Store offers almost two dozen publications in both print and ebook formats. Topics covered in these publications match the competency areas of career development professionals, including assessment, ethics, and cultural competence. Additionally, practical application of the professional’s skills is aided by books offering experiential activities for teaching classes, a strengths-based approach to career development, and the fundamentals of career coaching. Other noteworthy topics are covered by such publications as Learning Outcomes Assessment Step-by-Step, Career Education: History and Future and Career Development for Transitioning Veterans.

During the month of August 2025, all the print books in the NCDA Career Resource Store will be offered at a special sale price.

Some prices are as low as $5 (such as Parson’s famous Choosing A Vocation) and some best sellers are $25 off the regular price. Shop the NCDA Career Resource Store at www.ncda.org  before August 31 to view book descriptions, table of contents, author bios and more. (The ebooks and training manuals are not included in this sale.)

The NCDA Publications Development Council (PDC) coordinates the development of high quality publications that meet member needs, advances the field of career development, and increases the number of publications generating income for NCDA. By focusing on the books in the NCDA Career Resource Store, rather than journals or magazines, the PDC supports the NCDA mission and needs of members. Throughout 2025, the PDC is undergoing a review by a select Task Force approved by the NCDA Board of Directors. With the goal of clarifying the scope and function of the PDC, the Task Force expects to share its review with the Board later this year. Their recommendations may result in a call for new PDC members or topics for consideration.

In 2023, the PDC decided to put out a call for a new publication, specifically a monograph focused on mental health and career development. Global discussion of mental health and psychosocial well-being as another pandemic has major implications for career development across the lifespan. This edited monograph, scheduled for publication in June 2026, will outline the unique role and function of career practitioners in the world of all human service providers.

To learn more about NCDA publications, visit www.ncda.org and click on the Publications tab to shop the Career Resource Store, or go to the About NCDA tab and click on Committees to learn about the Publications Development Council.

Reference

Scrimsher, N., & Reinersman, M. (2018). Identifying quality career publications. Career Convergence. https://www.ncda.org/aws/NCDA/pt/sd/news_article/170422/_self/CC_layout_details/false 

Natalie Scrimsher is the Director of the NCDA Career Resource Store. nscrimsher@ncda.org

Melanie Reinersman is the NCDA Publications Development Director. mreinersman@ncda.org