When, Where and How Can You Take Kate’s FCD Course?
Frequently Asked Questions
Here are questions I’ve been asked frequently about the course in general, and about my usual plans for it.
How will Kate’s course be organized?
What about the text and how do students get it?
How much work can you anticipate (class and homework) and what is it like?
How much online technology do you have to know to succeed in the class?
How do you apply?
How do you pay for the course?
How do you contact Kate for other questions?
How will Kate’s course be organized?
NCDA estimates that the course will require approximately 120 hours of work (classes and homework), of which 24 hours is “strongly encouraged” to be in person, face-to-face. The minimum requirement is that you be present electronically, which means using Zoom, Skype or some other Internet-based platform to interact with the other students for that period. My previous class participants also say that interacting with their colleagues in person was one of the strong points of the whole course, and I agree that those personal interactions increased the value of the class to everyone, including myself.
I allow the class to decide as a group when the face-to-face meetings can be scheduled online (likely using Zoom). When I have, ideally, 6-8 people interested in the course, I’ll schedule a conference call so we can all talk about the dates you could attend the face-to-face meetings, when we actually begin the course and answer questions. The first face-to-face meeting usually is held at least a week after the initial organizing call.
I have also tried a one-student class and, for the right person, that can work also, but it is rare and less desirable – not for everyone.
I record our weekly “classes” (online video or conference calls, which may be long-distance for you), and we may set up smaller groups to meet separately on some weeks to continue with the training exercises and assignments for the course. If you miss a scheduled “class,” you’ll be asked to write a “makeup” report on the recorded discussion.
In some past classes, weekly calls have been scheduled during work hours, and others, in evening hours (I’m in Pacific time zone), but the exact timing of calls depends on mutual agreement of participants, and so may vary for each course. We try to select one consistent time for the class call each week and there may be some multiple-hour calls on a few weekends.
What about the text and how do students get that?
The text is controlled by NCDA and is available online. Each student is required to purchase one directly from NCDA. If printed out, it is formatted for a standard 3-hole notebook. Typical career exercises are included throughout, with spaces for you to use it as a workbook, as well as a text.
We also use a website “classroom” where weekly assignments/exercises will be posted, and you’ll post your responses. Then I and all course participants post feedback and comments to each other weekly.
In addition to the reading and exercises, you’ll each be developing your own collection of useful Career Development tools and information, and presenting some kind of practical career-related project (relevant to your own career work). A fieldwork assignment will also take you beyond your computer. I will schedule an individual call with each of you to help decide what kind of a project is acceptable and most useful to you. Additionally, a highly recommended project is making a career portfolio for yourself.
How much work can you anticipate (class and homework) and what is it?
In addition to weekly online Zoom meetings, you can expect assignments every week (reading, writing, self-reflective exercises, listening to audio or video, and working online) and you’ll have projects and a fieldwork assignment, such as interviewing practitioners in the field and/or visiting career centers in your local area. Some of the assignments will be to experience career exercises that you might use with clients in the future, as there’s a very strong tradition of doing just that in career work.
The projects will include making some kind of presentation of career information that would conceivably be useful to your professional work in future. In the past, participants have developed workshops for their students or clients, career-information-based websites, and other kinds of career-related programs for clients or students. The idea is to produce something practical, that will help you in your work as an FCD, which is why I so highly recommend that you develop your personal career portfolio (which is optional to the course).
The traditional classroom course is estimated to require an investment of 120 or more hours, and the eLearning class is considered to be equal to that (but of course, you’re not driving to/from classes each week).
My goal has been to make the eLearning classes equally rigorous, but more much flexible in the time/place/style of learning, to accommodate adults who have ongoing work and lives beyond classes. It does take considerable self-motivation to handle the commitment, so I won’t promise that it will be easy. But I will promise to help any way I can.
How much online technology do you have to know to succeed in the class?
The eLearning class does require a moderate to high level of familiarity and ease with online technology. Mainly, you have to be willing to learn, and/or have some extra time to put into the effort, especially in the beginning classes. And, you’ll need a fairly stable internet connection. The effort will all be useful to you in future.
You’ll also be encouraged to expand your LinkedIn profile and develop a presentation (possibly online), using PowerPoint or SlideShare. (These skills are not requirements, but highly encouraged because the future of education seems to be moving online.) I also encourage you to develop your own develop an online career portfolio and possibly a free wiki-based website in the course for the FCD resources you’ll collect through the course.
How do you apply?
First, let me know that you are interested in taking the class. (See below) I’ll send you an application form and add you to the waiting list. When I have enough applications for a class (or if you want an individualized course), I’ll schedule a meeting, when we can decide on the times/days for the face-to-face class “meetings” online.
How do you pay for the course?
I can accept payment through PayPal (which allows you to use other credit cards also), but I actually prefer a check (if received a week before classes begin).
How Do You Contact Kate?
Leave a message on my VoiceMailbox at 206-923-8810 or use the convenient CONTACT Kate Form.