Whether you’re beginning your career or have years of experience, earning a credential can help solidify your professional identity, increase your credibility, and broaden your skills. Recently we spoke with Elizabeth Bartell, MEd, NCC, GCDF, NBCT-R, who earned CCE’s Global Career Development Facilitator (GCDF) credential after becoming a National Certified Counselor (NCC).
Bartell is a Career Development Coordinator (CDC) at Central Academy of Technology & Arts in Monroe, North Carolina, where she works with students to align their interests and strengths with career plans and opportunities. In addition to teaching career development lessons, Bartell helps students write résumés and college essays, connect with employers, obtain internships, apply for apprenticeships and jobs, and any other assistance they may need.
She always knew that she wanted to help others but wasn’t quite sure how at first, she says. After earning her bachelor’s degree in communication studies, she held a few different positions before obtaining a role in sales at an employment service. There, she witnessed career counselors working with candidates for job placement and became interested in that position instead.
“I realized then that counseling was what I wanted to do and decided to go back to graduate school,” she says. After earning her MEd in counselor education from Winthrop University, she worked as a school counselor for 15 years. During that time, she earned her NCC and began working toward her LPC in North and South Carolina. While attending the North Carolina School Counselor Association Conference in 2014, she learned about the responsibilities of a Career Development Coordinator (CDC).
After taking the necessary steps, Bartell was hired as a CDC for a local high school. She recently changed schools and says that 8 years later, she still absolutely loves her work, which also enables her to mentor those new to the CDC role.
She learned about the GCDF credential while enrolled in a Career Development Facilitator course.
“After taking the course and adding it to my state license, I decided to also work toward gaining the GCDF credential, as I thought it would benefit me to have that as a CDC,” she says. “I learned so much about current trends in hiring, résumé writing, industry demands, career and personality assessments, and more. It was definitely beneficial for me to take the course and get my GCDF.”
Bartell says that having both credentials has helped her work with students.
“I believe having a counseling background and having earned my NCC helps me relate to those I work with better, as my training and continuing professional development assists with that. This experience paired with all that is required in obtaining the GCDF credential (taking the 120-hour CDF course and having the required amount of career development experience) helps put me in a position to use my training from both credentials to help my students in the best possible way. My current position does not require either; however, I believe I am better at my job because I have them both.”
Learn more about the GCDF credential and apply today.
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