Every year, the National Career Development Association (NCDA) hosts National Career Development Week, which is “designed to highlight the importance of life-long career development and the personal empowerment of all people.”   Our state division of NCDA, the Oregon Career Development Association (OCDA), celebrates this mission by sponsoring the annual poetry and poster contest for students and adults.

The annual poster contest is an excellent opportunity to get Oregon students and citizens excited about career development.  Additionally, it is an excellent opportunity for counselors and teachers to integrate career development into guidance and curriculum.

Contest division areas include: 

Primary…Grades K-2

Intermediate…Grades 3-5

Middle…Grades 6-8

Senior…Grades 9-12

Adult Student…18 and older enrolled in school

Open Adult…18 and older not enrolled in school (student teachers, parents, and professionals…)

Entrants can earn recognition for their work in three categories; Poetry, Poster-Category 1, and Poster-Category 2.  All state winners (1^st prize) will be awarded a $25 gift card, as well as published on the OCDA website and submitted to the NCDA 46^th annual national poster contest; winners for the national contest are eligible for national recognition and prizes.

Poetry and posters should reflect this year’s theme:   

“My Career Dreams.” 

The requirements for poetry are as follows:

Poetic Form:  Use of any acceptable poetic form (e.g. cinquain, free verse, diamante, haiku, limerick, metered, rhyming, blank verse).

Size: Submit each poem on a single sheet of paper 8.5 x 11"in 12 point font.

The requirements for posters are as follows:

Lettering: Simple bold lettering is preferred.  Captions are to be used to convey the message, attract attention, and to achieve goals of clarity, vigor, and originality.  All lettering will be considered part of the design.

Media:        

Category 1: Standard use of ink, pencil, poster paints, magic marker, acrylic, and oils.

Category 2: Use of photos, clipart, graphic art software, collage, cut and pasted paper, and mixed media.

Size: Each poster must be created in 8.5 x 11" format, including matte, to be eligible.

All posters should be accompanied with an official entry form (state AND national), and a permission slip signed by the student or a parent/guardian for students under 18.

The deadline to submit posters is Thursday, November 10^th, 2011. 

Please mail all materials to:

2011 OCDA Poster Contest

c/o George Fox University, Career Services

ATTN: Angela J. Doty

414 N. Meridian St. #6009

Newberg, OR 97132

Winners will be notified by e-mail. If you have any questions, please call or
email Angela Doty (503-554-2331 or adoty@georgefox.edu).