PCDA Articles
Meet Charlotte George (President, PCDA)
(published 4 July 2025)
Charlotte George is a certified career coach, mentor, and thought leader in employability and lifelong learning, with over 20 years of experience supporting individuals from diverse backgrounds, including youths, mid-career switchers, and senior professionals. Trained by Workforce Singapore (WSG) and the National Career Development Association (NCDA) (USA), she brings deep expertise in designing and delivering outcome-driven, competency-based training and development programmes.
Charlotte played a pivotal role in shaping the early foundation of Singapore’s national career development infrastructure. As one of the pioneer practitioners during the Workforce Development Agency (WDA) era, she contributed to the establishment of career centres, the professionalisation of career services, and the development of national frameworks for career guidance—setting the stage for the robust ecosystem Singapore has today.
Currently, she serves as President of the People & Career Development Association (PCDA), where she leads national and regional initiatives to elevate career development practice. She is the architect of the PCDA Transformational Skills Framework for Career Development and the Mentor & Mentee Development Framework—both of which are used by practitioners and institutions to improve individual growth, mentoring quality, and employability outcomes.
At Kaplan Singapore, Charlotte leads strategic employability and student development initiatives, collaborating with corporate partners, industry associations, and public agencies to bridge education and the future of work. Her work includes employer engagement, industry advisory boards, student capability-building, and national career fairs. She also serves as an Adjunct Lecturer at the Singapore University of Social Sciences (SUSS), where she supports adult learners in career development and personal mastery.
Charlotte remains actively involved in community and regional efforts. She volunteers with the Catholic Leadership Centre (CLC), contributes to the Asia Pacific Career Development Association (APCDA), and has held multiple leadership roles at the Church of St Anthony. She also leads wellness and resilience workshops to support student wellbeing as part of her commitment to holistic development.
A proud mother to two daughters and a son-in-law, Charlotte finds joy in quiet moments with her cocker spaniel, Cheddar, and believes that coffee and chocolate are essential tools for reflection and resilience. Her ongoing work continues to shape national conversations around employability, mentorship, and transformative lifelong learning.
How Career Development Theories Help Graduate Employment
(published 27 June 2025)
Dive into the insightful article "Career Development Theories and Graduate Employment" by PCDA Singapore's President Charlotte George, where you'll discover how various career development theories can transform the way educators guide students through their career transitions. From Holland’s Theory of Career Choice to Savickas’ Career Construction Theory, this comprehensive exploration reveals the power of aligning personality with career paths, understanding lifelong career evolution, and leveraging social learning for informed career decisions. Whether you're an educator, student, or career counselor, this article offers valuable perspectives that can enhance your approach to career development and graduate employment.
You may read it here or visit
https://asiapacificcda.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/apcda_cp0001_12.pdf.
If you’re an educator, a career coach in an IHL, or involved in working with youths, we invite you to join PCDA.
How Career Development Theories Help Graduate Employment
Your Career in a BANI World: 5 Essential Strategies
(published 20 June 2025)
Your Career in a BANI World: 5 Essential Strategies
The professional world is now a BANI environment – Brittle, Anxious, Non-linear, Incomprehensible. This means systems can unexpectedly shatter, uncertainty fuels anxiety, cause and effect are unpredictable, and information overload makes sense-making difficult. Traditional career planning simply won't cut it.
Here are five practical strategies to thrive in this new landscape:
1. Embrace Continuous Learning & Reskilling
Dedicate regular time (e.g., an hour weekly) to learning. This could involve online courses, industry webinars, or experimenting with new tools. Focus on both hard skills (e.g., data analysis) and future-proof soft skills (e.g., critical thinking, creativity).
2. Cultivate Radical Adaptability
Regularly assess your interests and transferable skills. Be willing to take on projects outside your comfort zone. Consider opportunities that might seem lateral if they offer valuable new experiences or exposure for long-term growth.
3. Build a Resilient Mindset & Prioritize Well-being
Implement daily self-care rituals like mindfulness or exercise. Practice reframing challenges as learning opportunities. Understand your stress triggers and develop healthy coping mechanisms. Don't hesitate to seek professional support if needed.
4. Strengthen Your Network Actively
Don't wait until you need a job to network. Schedule regular, informal check-ins with former colleagues, mentors, and peers. Offer help as much as you seek it. Engage genuinely on professional platforms and at industry events.
5. Adopt a Proactive, Agile Approach to Career Planning
Define broad career directions instead of fixed roles. Set quarterly or semi-annual mini-goals for skill development or project experiences. Regularly review and adjust these goals based on market changes and personal growth. Your career is a living document, not a static blueprint.
By adopting these strategies, you can not only survive but truly thrive and find purpose in the evolving BANI world. To find out more from like-minded career development individuals, join PCDA.
#BANI #PCDA #CareerStrategies
Embracing the Future at APCDA Conference 2025 (12-25 May 2025)
(published 13 June 2025)
By John Lim, PCDA EXCO member
I had the privilege of attending the Asia Pacific Career Development Association (APCDA) Conference 2025, held from May 12 to 26 at Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, Henan, China. With the theme “Embracing the Future Through Leadership, AI, and Career Design,” this hybrid conference brought together career development professionals, researchers, and educators from many Asian countries and regions as well as other parts of the world to explore emerging challenges and co-create future-ready solutions.
A keynote highlight was Dr. Kevin Glavin’s presentation, “AI-Driven Career Design for a Brighter Future.” He addressed the rising disconnection many young people feel toward traditional career paths – seen globally in trends like Tang Ping and the Sampo Generation. Rather than apathy, this reflects a response to inequality, job insecurity, and rapid technological change. Dr. Glavin introduced how Career Construction Theory (CCT), when paired with AI tools like the Career Construction Interview (CCI), can help individuals reframe their career stories and build meaningful, adaptable paths forward.
As a participant, I was reminded of the power of connection in our profession.
APCDA offers a valuable platform to learn from diverse perspectives, build meaningful networks, and inspire change. I encourage fellow practitioners to stay curious, connect widely, and contribute actively to the evolving career development landscape.
I encourage you to join us as a member of PCDA Singapore and benefit from insightful lessons and great networking opportunities with like-minded individuals.
