Navigating the Future of Work in 2024: Key Trends and Insights

As we step into the new year, it's essential for all of us at ACDN to stay ahead of the curve and remain prepared for the evolving landscape of the workforce. 2024 promises to bring significant shifts and opportunities in the realm of work, and it's crucial that we adapt to these changes to better serve our communities.

A recent Forbes article by Bernard Marr titled "The 8 Biggest Future of Work Trends in 2024 Everyone Needs to Be Ready For Now" sheds light on the key trends that will shape the world of work in the coming year. Let's explore these trends and consider how they may impact our mission and the individuals we serve.

1. The Rise of Hybrid Work

The COVID-19 pandemic has forever altered the way we work, with hybrid arrangements becoming the new norm. As career development nonprofits, we must be attuned to the changing needs of job seekers who may be navigating a blend of remote and in-person work environments.

2. Skills Over Degrees

Employers are increasingly valuing skills and competencies over traditional degrees. This shift presents an opportunity for us to enhance our training programs and empower job seekers with practical skills that are in high demand.

3. Remote Work Technology

With remote work here to stay, ensuring that job seekers are tech-savvy and comfortable with virtual communication tools is vital. Offering digital literacy and remote work readiness programs can be a game-changer for our clients.

4. Mental Health and Well-being

The pandemic has highlighted the importance of mental health in the workplace. Our support should extend beyond traditional job search techniques to include resources and guidance on managing stress and maintaining well-being.

5. Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion

The commitment to diversity and inclusion is gaining momentum. ACDN's expertise in this area positions us to help organizations foster diverse and inclusive workplaces.

6. Gig Economy Growth

The gig economy continues to expand, offering both opportunities and challenges for job seekers. We can provide guidance on navigating this evolving job market.

7. Automation and AI

Automation and artificial intelligence are transforming industries. Preparing job seekers to work alongside these technologies is crucial for their future success.

8. Reskilling and Upskilling

With rapid technological advancements, reskilling and upskilling will be key to staying employable. ACDN can play a pivotal role in offering relevant training programs.

Incorporating these trends into our strategies and programs can empower us to better support our clients in an ever-changing job market. As we move forward into 2024, let's embrace these trends as opportunities to make a more profound impact on the lives of those we serve.

Stay tuned for exciting developments at ACDN as we continue to adapt and innovate to meet the needs of our community. Together, we can navigate the future of work and ensure that everyone who wants a job has the opportunity to find one.

Warm regards,

Dr. Stephanie Hampton Credle | President, ACDN

Important Announcement

Carrie Hanson Veurink, Managing Partner, Alliance of Career Development Nonprofits

Dear ACDN Supporters, Community, and Alliance Colleagues,

Recently, I announced my resignation of Managing Partner role at Alliance of Career Development Nonprofits (ACDN). My last day will be Friday, January 18, 2019.  

This was not an easy decision to make because the last six years have been very rewarding. Thank you for the opportunities you and the ACDN Board of Directors provided me as Managing Partner. I've enjoyed working with the ACDN Board of Directors, supporting the ACDN members with tools and resources for growth, collaborating with all the committees, building a new website, developing the ACDN National Smart & Sexy© Day event, managing the annual National Conference, and working to build membership, and engage members in ACDN goings-on. 

It has been an absolute honor to work on behalf of ACDN in support of its nonprofit members across the nation. While it is difficult to fully express my sincere gratitude, I hope you understand how I appreciate the time we have spent together working to improve and expand the organization's impact and reach. Cumulatively, I have been affiliated with the Alliance for over 12 years - four years as an employee of Career Wardrobe; two years as an ACDN Board member, and over six years as Managing Partner. The mission of ACDN is critical and close to my heart and I will miss you all. 

I have accepted a position of Development and Outreach Manager at Contra Costa Interfaith Housing (CCIH) in Pleasant Hill, CA. This opportunity will give me a chance to grow professionally and work within and for my local community. I wish you, the Board, and ACDN all the best. 

Thank you for your support and I look forward to connecting with you before my departure.

Respectfully yours,

Carrie Hanson Veurink

Email: cveurink@acdnonline.org

[ACDN Interview Feature] Shevy Lindley, Board Member

ACDN: How long have you been serving on the Alliance of Career Development Nonprofits (ACDN) Board?

S.L.: I joined ACDN 5 years ago as a volunteer on the Technology Committee and later on joined the Board as Secretary.

ACDN: Tell us how you initially learned about Alliance of Career Development Nonprofits and what drew you to participating on the Board of Directors.

S.L.: I was introduced to ACDN by Lynda-Ross Vega who was President at the time since we both lived in Texas and she invited me to join the organization over coffee one day. Since she was a personal friend of mine, I accepted the invitation and was happy to know I would be able to contribute my technology skills and join others who were passionate about ACDN's mission.

ACDN: What roles have you engaged in or currently engaged in? What activities on the board are most meaningful to you?

S.L.: I volunteered on the Technology Committee for 2 years, then joined the board for another few years and am currently the board secretary which allows me to use my detailed writing skills to benefit the organization.

ACDN: What makes ACDN special or unique?

S.L.: ACDN is special to me because its mission resonates with me on a very personal level. My mom was a single parent before meeting my stepdad and she would have been a prime client for ACDN. Knowing that my own mother would have been involved in and benefited from this organization and it makes me extremely happy to be able to contribute my time and energy now to supporting our efforts and giving back to the greater community.

ACDN: How has your role affected you?

S.L.: It's all been positive and makes me feel that I'm contributing to something bigger than myself by being involved in something authentic. Being able to help someone in a position my family used to be in a reward in itself. I love that ACDN has spread to many cities and helps people across the U.S.

ACDN: What is your biggest challenge as a Board Member and how are you overcoming this challenge?

S.L.: I work in an extremely busy corporate environment as an IT Project Manager routinely leading five teams daily in the building, testing and deployment of various projects. Oftentimes my work week can end up being 60 to 70 hours leaving little time to fit in my ACDN duties. I love what I do with ACDN and am a perfectionist so it's important to me to keep my commitments and give my all. Unfortunately, I'll be rolling off the board after this year due to my demanding career responsibilities. I would always want to give the best of me and never like to do anything halfway.

ACDN: Tell us a story about a meaningful project or activity you work on for ACDN.

S.L.: When I started, we were just getting the website up and running and I was very passionate about helping upgrade it with more robust e-commerce functionality to allow members to pay dues, register online for events, and capture important information such as email addresses. I really liked helping to replace old antiquated methods, such as a member mailing in a check with snail mail, with faster upgraded technology that was keeping with the times.

Shevy and colleagues at the ACDN National Conference in Philadelphia, PA. October 18-21, 2018

ACDN: My vision for the future of ACDN is…

S.L.: To continue to grow with more organizations joining and benefiting from the knowledge provided while extending our reach to even more cities across America. For example, I'm not sure we currently have Texas member organizations right now but it would be great to continue growing our membership organization base in cities where our board members currently reside. I'd also love to see us do more to sustain the clients supported by our member agencies after they get jobs through increased follow up with a more robust plan to assist with career progression. For example, if someone gets a new job as a secretary how can we help to grow that person so that they can progress to a manager role.

ACDN: If it were not for ACDN,…

S.L.: I don't think I would be as involved in career development as I would want to be. My career is great on its own but I would think "Who are you helping?" I think our lives are worth so much more when we help others and not only ourselves. ACDN has given me a reason and the means to step out of corporate and help someone else with the skills I've attained.

2018 ACDN Board of Directors. Back Row: Susan Walton, Lance Ekum, Patrycja Warda, Connie Golds, Shevy Lindley. Front Row: Marianne Jones, Tamara Pitts, Gina Diaz, Shanna Moody.