About Career Design Associates, Inc.
Founded by Career Guru Helen Harkness, Career Design Associates, Inc. has pioneered career management programs, processes and pathfinder presentations since 1978.
"Freedom is Knowing your Options" is the creed, the fundamental principle and conviction of Dr. Harkness, who says that career change often occurs when the pain of present circumstances exceeds the fear of change. Her short-hand equation for individuals in this predicament is CC = P > F.
CDA was founded because of Harkness' extensive research based on Alvin Toffler's book "Future Shock" (1970) in which Toffler predicted the American workers would change jobs three times in their working life. Sylvia Porter, the author of numerous financial planning books including "Minding Your Money," predicted job changes 3-5 times in a career.
Dr. Harkness was an early prognosticator of the coming workplace turmoil, and has worked with more than 10,000 clients by looking at the realities of today's workplace in light of her intuitive eye for what's next. Today's typical client can be either a recent college graduate or a "Baby Boomer". While everyone seems to be looking for more meaning from life, Boomers are more likely to be looking for a way to move "from misery to meaning at midlife."
"More than every before, if your career is not under your control, you are headed for an immediate crisis," says Dr. Harkness, who's new model is called the "Yo-Yo " model — "You're On Your Own!"
Having experienced and survived her own career and future shock and chaos in the early 1970s, she designed her programs to teach adults —at every age, career and educational level— how to work and thrive in the current age of constant change and complexity.
Her four-step model for career change:
- Self-Assessment - who am I? What can I do?
- Career Exploration - Where can I do it? What's out there?
- Future Direction - How do I see myself? What do I really want?
- Strategic Action Plan - How do I get there? What are my options?
Corporations and organizations Dr. Harkness has worked with include:
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Harkness' clients say she is more than a career coach. She is a friend, confidant, encourager and also known to gently, yet firmly, light a fire under those who need it.
