1. MoCDA Newsletter
Summer 2017
Message from Our President
Hello MoCDA!
Similarly to our now Past-President, Ivy
Hutchison, I, too, am fairly new to the
organization. Like Ivy, my first year of
membership was last year, as President-Elect.
I spent much of the fall learning more about
the organization and helped plan a “Making
Connections: Partners in Progress”
conference in the spring. Making Connections
was our theme for last year, and we planned
to do this by increasing membership;
providing opportunities for professional
development, sharing best practices, and networking; and
connecting with other organizations.
In addition to our conference, over the past year we sent out
two membership newsletters, organized a dinner for MoCDA
members at the National Career Development Association global
conference, held a roundtable discussion at Stephens College,
hosted a credentialing webinar, led a Career Counseling in
Uncertain Times session, and arranged an Identity Intersections
and Inclusion in Counseling: Increasing Our Competencies in-
person meet-up that was broadcasted online. We received an
NCDA grant to help offset the cost of networking events, driving
down the cost of the conference registration and eliminating
fees for the other events mentioned above. Additionally, NCDA
sponsored the keynote speaker at our spring conference. We
made significant and intentional progress toward our theme
through our accomplishments, and believe we can shift this
year’s theme to Continuing Connections.
One way we’d like to work toward this theme is to build on last
year’s foundation by collecting more membership input
This issue:
Message from Our
President
What's Happening?
Regional
Representatives
MoCDA at NCDA
Member Spotlight
Job Announcement
Upcoming Events
New Members
Contact Us

2. regarding the direction of our initiatives and efforts around
professional development and connections opportunities. Help us
better serve you by filling out this brief survey today! At any
time throughout the year, please feel free to share your
feedback and ideas regarding your MoCDA experience. I, and
the rest of the Executive and Leadership Board, am excited to
represent and serve you over the next year.
Best,
Molly Wilensky, M.A.
MoCDA President 2017-18
What's Happening Around Missouri?
Successful Career Weeks at St. Charles Community College
By: Martha Toebben
Students are better prepared to make good career and life choices when they have the
opportunity to observe and experience a career through job shadowing. The Career
Exploration Alliance (CEA) program at St. Charles Community College helps students find
those experiences. CEA was established in 2013 after a group from the local Chamber of
Commerce and representatives from St. Charles Community College collaborated to find
ways for students to connect with professionals in an effort to make more informed
career choices.
Over the past four years, counselors from local high schools and St. Charles Community
College, can contact CEA to request a job shadow experience for an inquiring
student. The CEA representative would find a match, notify the school counselor who
would then contact the student to make arrangements for the job shadow to occur.
In an effort to streamline the process, the CEA proposed scheduling
professionals/students into specific times during “Career Weeks”, a two-week period in
Spring 2017. Career Weeks were marketed heavily to students at all of the schools. The
results were impressive. Over those two weeks, 189 students were sent out to job
shadow professionals in a wide variety of career paths. Forty-three (43) of those
students were from St. Charles Community College. Survey results from both the
students and the professionals were very positive.
As a result of its success, the CEA plans to offer career weeks twice during the 2017/2018
school year, once in the Fall and once in the Spring. Hopefully, even more students can
benefit, allowing them to translate their passion and skills into a rewarding career.

3. If you have a program or idea that you would like to share with the MoCDA membership,
please feel free to contact us for inclusion in an upcoming newsletter.
MoCDA Seeking Regional Representatives
Help MoCDA Build Local Connections
The MoCDA Connections Committee is recruiting Regional Representatives to assist in
fostering local relationship-building among career development professionals throughout
the state. We are seeking regional reps for each of the six geographies outlined below.
Regional reps work in collaboration with the MoCDA Connections Committee to share
regional, state, and national news and events and help to organize and promote
opportunities for professional development and networking within the region. Interested
candidates can expect to spend one to two hours per month on activities like: identifying
career development professionals in the region, communicating with regional contacts,
and/or coordinating networking opportunities in collaboration with state-wide MoCDA
initiatives.
Volunteer to serve as a MoCDA Regional Representative for one of the following regions,
based on the Missouri Economic Research and Information Center (MERIC) regional
structure (https://www.missourieconomy.org/regional/index.stm):
1. Northern (MERIC Northeast + Northwest regions)
2. Central (MERIC Central region)
3. St. Louis (MERIC St. Louis region)
4. Kansas City (MERIC Kansas City + West Central regions)
5. Southeast (MERIC Southeast + South Central regions)
6. Southwest (MERIC Southwest + Ozark regions)
Please email Marcie Schumert, Connections Committee Chair, at
mailto:marciaschumert39@webster.edu with questions or to express interest.
MoCDA at NCDA
NCDA Global Conference 2017
MoCDA organized our annual networking dinner at the NCDA
Global Conference in Orlando, Florida. MoCDA members and

4. other career development professionals from Missouri and surrounding areas met on
Thursday, June 29 to reconnect, meet new professionals, and explore Disney Springs!
Additionally, MoCDA was recognized by NCDA with the
Outstanding State Division Award. Pictured on the left are
current MoCDA President, Molly Wilensky, current NCDA
President, David Reile, and current Trustee for the State
Divisions, Wendy LaBenne.
Also, MoCDA's own Marcie Shumert was selected
to represent MoCDA on the NCDA panel "Best Practices
for State CDAs: Learn From Our Experienced State CDA
Panelists". Marcie also helped facilitate the State
Leadership Training and has been recognized for her role
in the NCDA State Leadership Advisory Group.
Congratulations to Marcie and all the MoCDA leadership
for all their hard work in making MoCDA a model state CDA!
Member Spotlight
Wendy Mueller
Tell us about yourself. What kind of experience do you have?
I am a life-long learner and educator! My favorite thing to
do as a child was to play school (of course I loved to be
the teacher but I would also take turns being the
student!). I attended the University of Nebraska (Go
Huskers!) and received two undergraduate degrees in
Elementary and Special Education. I taught in a rural
elementary school for two years before deciding I wanted
to get into the counseling profession. I applied and was
accepted into the Counseling Psychology master’s
program at the University of Kansas (Rock Chalk
Jayhawk!). (Before the Missouri fans cringe and stop
reading this, my father is an MU alum and I was born at
the university hospital! So there is a bit of tiger in me!)
Although my original plan was to do the school counseling track, in my first semester of
graduate school, I was transformed by Dr. Tom Krieshok’s Career Counseling class. I fell

5. in love with the concept of helping adults “find their path” and, after having seen my
father go through the life-changing event of a job layoff when I was in high-school, I
knew that this was very important work. I changed my area of emphasis, completed my
course requirements and, lo, have been serving as a career counselor and coach since
graduating in 1998. My experience over these last 19 years has included helping clients
from all walks of life, ages, and experience levels. From youth, to college students, to
mid-life career changers, to retirees, I have had the honor and privilege of helping
hundreds upon hundreds of people navigate that age old question, “what now?”
When I’m not helping clients discern such heady questions, I can be found playing
outside (my newly discovered passion is kayaking), working out at the gym, getting
creative in my art studio, and raising two busy and active teenagers!
Why did you choose to join MoCDA?
I wanted to connect at a more local level. I believe so strongly in the power of networking
and, when I received an invitation for a MoCDA networking dinner at last year’s NCDA
Conference in Chicago, jumped on the opportunity. (Yes, I’m an E).
What makes our mission meaningful to you?
As I read the mission statement, I am particularly drawn to the collaboration statement. I
think the key to success, in any endeavor, is to team up with others who bring different
skills, viewpoints, and experiences to the table. We are all stronger when we connect with
one another.
What do you like best about your current position?
Getting to work with adults who are motivated, talented, dedicated and positive. The
diversity of people I have met and continue to meet is incredibly rewarding. I also love
the workshops and presentations I am called upon to do regularly. This is a nice break
from resume reviews. J
What advice would you give to someone when facing an unexpected career
challenge?
To never give up. There are obstacles in life at every turn…your career setting is no
different. Whether it is a challenging task, a difficult coworker, an unexpected layoff,
these are unfortunate realities. Remind yourself that it is not personal. It is not a
reflection of the quality of person you are or the many talents you bring to the table.
Perseverance always wins so don’t give up. Also, if you find yourself with a bit of ‘career
malaise’, don’t be afraid to try something new, either vocationally or avocationally.
Reinject some life into your life, dig deeper to find out something new about yourself,
invest in yourself and your growth. Take care of you. Do not stagnate.
What motivates you?

6. I’m very much a go-getter and I thrive on new opportunities, new challenges, and new
experiences. I find that I motivate myself best by setting goals and trying to reach them.
My children are also a huge source of my motivation. I want to model to them that you
never stop learning and growing, no matter what your age.
What are your short and long term goals?
Short term: continue to serve and grow as a career counselor.
Long term: retire and travel the country and do more kayaking and outdoor adventures.
How do you spend your spare time?
Exercising and spending time outdoors… and laundry.
Where do you see yourself in 5 years?
Crying as I send my baby off to college. OK, OK, in all seriousness, probably starting to
consider the next phase of my life and where I want to live…likely somewhere in
Colorado.
What else should we know about you?
As an ENFP, I do love to “squeeze the most out of life” that I can each day. And, as
perhaps you’ve picked up from my responses, I do have a quirky sense of humor. I try to
not take life too seriously.
Job Announcement
Career Counseling Opportunity at University of Central Missouri
From MoCDA Member, Ken Schueller at UCM
Career Counselor
 The Career Counselor (CC) provides a comprehensive career counseling,
education, and development program for students and alumni of the University of
Central Missouri (UCM).
 Plan, develop, coordinate, and deliver the curriculum content for Exploring Majors
and Careers, and the University Foundations-Open Options courses.
 Provide Gateway Advising for Open Option students.
 Assist with the collection, reporting, analysis, and distribution of Career
Development Services (CDS) statistical data.

7.  Assist with the planning and execution of career development events such as
career expos, events, workshops, panels, etc. to educate and connect students
with developmental, experiential, and professional opportunities.
 Coordinate and carry-out the CDS mission through planning, development,
marketing, and promotional strategies of CDS.
Work with an excellent team in the newly-remodeled Gateway Center!
Find the complete job description at https://jobs.ucmo.edu/postings/16619
Upcoming Events
Save the Dates
MoCDA is planning some new opportunities for the 2017-2018 calendar. Please continue
to check your e-mail for further details.
Free Webinar: Introduction to the NACE Principles and Ethical Practice
Thursday, July 27, 2017 – 12:00 to 1:00 PM (CST)
Conference on Conferences: In person networking and collaboration
Rockhurst University - Kansas City, Missouri
August 2017 – 9:00 AM to 3:00 PM
Virtual Professional Development Discussions: Topics TBD
Fall 2017 & Spring 2018
Career Development Month: In person networking, Poetry/Poster Contest
November 2017
MoCDA Annual Conference
Spring 2018
NEW MEMBERS WELCOME

8. MoCDA Welcomes:
John Holste
Courtney Seeber
Leanna Thomson
Thank you to all the new and continuing members of MoCDA. We appreciate your
membership!
CONTACT US
Be sure to connect with us on Facebook, Twitter, and LinkedIn for updates on career
development events and opportunities.
Feel free to contact any MoCDA board member with your feedback, questions, or to get
more involved with the organization.
Molly Wilensky, President (wilenskym@umkc.edu)
Ivory Woodhouse, President-Elect (ivory.woodhouse@wustl.edu)
Meg Langland, Secretary (Meg.Langland@westminster-mo.edu)
Jenny Hahn Schnipper, Treasurer (jschnipper@stchas.edu)
Missouri Career Development Association. All rights reserved.
Contact email: info@mo-cda.org
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