OSCA/ACOSO 2023 Fall Conference 
THANK YOU FOR JOINING US!

A tremendous thanks to all of YOU for making our first in-person conference since 2019, "Come Back to Get Ahead,” such a success! So many Guidance and Career Educators networked with sponsors and exhibitors, reconnected with old friends, and made new ones! It was wonderful to experience the synergy, laughter and connections made at this year’s event.  

Please keep an eye out for our post-conference survey! This helps us to continue to offer premium professional development opportunities such as the upcoming webinar: The Post-Secondary Application Process: Myths and Realities on Tuesday, October 24 at 1:00 PM. Register here!

Thank you as well, to all of the PRESENTERS who inspired our growth, resilience and wellness with their stories, strategies and resources. This conference would not be possible without the financial and resource contributions from our SPONSORS and EXHIBITORS. They keep us informed about the current educational landscape and offer resources to help us in our daily practice.  

THANKS TO OUR SPONSORS…

Platinum Sponsors: Naylor and Cambrian College

Gold Sponsors: ONCAT, Brescia College at Western University and Cape Breton University

Silver Sponsors: Carleton University, University of Guelph-Humber, Chartered Professional Accountants of Ontario, OCAS, Collège Boréal, OACETT, Tyndale University

Bronze Sponsors: Laurier Faculty of Music and Metalworks Institute, Ontario Association of Veterinary Technicians, Fleming College, Brock University

Special Sponsors: Ontario Colleges (who contributed to our bags)

THANKS TO OUR EXHIBITORS…

• Ontario Tech University Métis Nation of Ontario
• Attached at the Root Ltd. Seeking Scholarships
• Ontario Universities’ Application Centre Erin Mills Connects
• Canadian Forces Morale and Welfare Services AgScape
• mycampusGPS Education Consulting Forests Ontario
• OzTrekk Education Services Discover Year
• OYAP Coordinators Provincial Association Vancouver Film School
• Seneca Polytechnic Yconic
• Sima Health Consultancy Royal Military College
• St. Clair College Katimavik
• Université de l'Ontario français Edutravel
• Ontario Ministry of Colleges and Universities CericYconic
• Waterloo Wellington Flish Centre
• University of Nicosia Medical School and Veterinarian Medicine 

SEE YOU NEXT YEAR!

Save the Date: New OSCA/ACOSO Webinar
The Post-Secondary Application Process: Myths and Realities
Tuesday, October 24 @ 1:00 PM

It's application time for our graduating students! Applying for post-secondary education can be a daunting process for students and families, and educators are an important resource. Guidance Counsellors especially, are looked upon to advise and assist in the application process. In this session, join representatives from an Ontario college and university as they walk you through the steps of application and admissions processes, followed by an overview of financial aid opportunities from Student Awards Network manager Kelly Winger. REGISTER HERE!

The NCWIT Aspirations in Computing High School Award honours genderqueer and non-binary individuals in grades nine to twelve, for their computing-related achievements and interests, and encourages them to pursue their passions. Applications are open September 1 to November 6.

In addition, educators who endorse student applications are eligible to apply for the NCWIT Aspirations in Computing Educator Award to be recognized for all they do! Educator Award applications are due December 4. Get all the details here: https://www.aspirations.org/ aspirations-canada.

Applying for college or university can be a stressful time for students. What if they don’t get accepted into the program they want? What if they get there and discover the program just isn’t a good fit? Ensuring a student understands they have options can go a long way to ease their postsecondary concerns. Ultimately, it’s their decision, but you can help guide them along the way.

20 years of service, 11 locations bringing essential care to people and pets experiencing homelessness.
This fall, Community Veterinary Outreach (CVO) will be celebrating 20 years of bringing accessible
veterinary and human health care to people and pets experiencing homelessness in Canada. But the
celebrations will be far from sit down dinners and stuffy ceremonies. Instead, the organization is hosting
Mini-Vet School (TM), a virtual event to answer pet owners’ most asked questions.

Landscape Ontario Congress is Canada's largest and longest running trade show and conference for landscape professionals. With over 400 exhibitors covering more than eight acres, Congress is a one-stop-shop for the latest equipment, tools, materials and supplies; everything you need to do what you do best.

A new CERIC-funded report from Creative Futures Studio Inc. sheds light on 10 megatrends that will shape the future of work in Canada. The report, Career Development in 2040, digs into the trends that workers, employers – as well as those who advise them – need to understand to thrive in a labour market facing massive disruption. Based on an extensive literature review as well as interviews with career development professionals (CDPs) and career services users, the report highlights 10 major trends: 
- Work Anywhere 
- AI & Automation 
- Living with Climate Change 
- Geopolitical Conflicts 
- Reconciling the Impacts of Colonialism 
- Economic Precarity 
- Globalization Under Pressure 
- Education, Disrupted 
- Declining Mental Health & Well-being 
- Generational Shifts 
The report also identifies microtrends within each area (32 in total), including the impact of the "green skills revolution" on new jobs creation, greater recognition of the skills of neurodivergent individuals, the increasing popularity of the "learn and earn" model of post-secondary education and how Gen Z’s values-driven approach to work will inform their leadership. 

Mindfulness is a practice of keeping our attention to the experience on a moment-to-moment basis in an open and non-judgmental way. Jon Kabat-Zinn introduced the idea of mindfulness to the Western world in the late 70s through a stress-reduction clinic in Massachusetts. While often associated with personal well-being, it has become more and more mainstream in daily living and corporate settings.

Mindfulness also has significant implications for finding career clarity. By leveraging a mindful approach to career planning, individuals can gain a deeper understanding of themselves, their goals and their values. Career development professionals can draw on mindfulness practices as part of an overall strategy when working with clients who struggle with where to go next in their career.

A Message from Sharon Kim, Vice President – Communications:

Dear OSCA/ACOSO Community,

It is my joy and honour to serve a second year as VP of the Communications Committee!

This past year, our committee continued to oversee the organization's media content including the website, OSCA News, and OSCA Today – our magazine. OSCA Today is released to our members three times a year (Fall, Winter, and Spring/Summer). The publications cover a range of topics in the guidance education and student success world.

Our latest issue consisted of a holistic take on student empowerment and included a poster infographic on the importance of sleep as well as various resources on student mental health, trades, technology, and pathways planning.

The Communications Committee is always seeking to provide well-researched and relevant resources to support our OSCA/ACOSO community, so we are always on the lookout for new leads for great articles. We highly value the wealth of wisdom and knowledge of our membership, so please feel free to reach out to me if you are interested in contributing.
We look forward to seeing you all in-person at "Come Back to Get Ahead," our upcoming fall conference. Be sure to register as soon as possible!
_______________________________________________________________________________________

Un message de Sharon Kim, Vice-présidente – Communications

Chère communauté OSCA/ACOSO,

Je suis contente et honorée de servir ma deuxième année en tant que vice-présidente du comité de communications ! 

Au cours de cette dernière année, notre comité a continué de superviser le contenu médiatique de l’association incluant le site Web, OSCA News et OSCA Today, notre magazine. OSCA Today est diffusé à ses membres trois fois par an (automne, hiver et printemps/été). Les publications couvrent toute une gamme de sujets dans les domaines de l’orientation et de la réussite des élèves.

Notre dernier numéro consistait en une approche holistique sur l’autonomisation des élèves et a inclus une affiche infographique sur l’importance du sommeil ainsi que diverses ressources sur la santé mentale, les métiers spécialisés, la technologie et la planification de parcours. 

Le comité de communications cherche toujours à fournir des ressources pertinentes et bien documentées pour appuyer la communauté OSCA/ACOSO, alors nous sommes toujours à la recherche de nouvelles pistes pour d’excellents articles. Nous reconnaissons grandement la sagesse et les connaissances de nos membres, donc n’hésitez pas à me contacter si vous souhaitez contribuer. 

Nous avons hâte de vous voir en personne à notre prochaine conférence d’automne, « Revenir pour avancer ». Assurez-vous de vous inscrire dès que possible !