BCCDA WEBINAR
Februrary 12, 2025 at 12 pm
The Cost of Care: Speaking the Unspoken
In the career development field, case managers and career advisors are often exposed to the hardships and struggles of job seekers facing unemployment, financial difficulties, and health challenges. Over time, repeated exposure to these stories can lead to compassion fatigue, vicarious trauma, and burnout—yet these critical issues are rarely addressed in our training. Drawing from five years of experience as both a frontline worker and supervisor, this session will explore the unspoken emotional toll on career advisors who work with clients from underrepresented groups, including immigrants and those facing mental health struggles. We’ll uncover how, despite wellness practices like yoga and self-care sessions, many professionals remain unprepared to recognize or manage the effects of emotional exhaustion. Attendees will learn how to identify early signs of compassion fatigue and vicarious trauma, set boundaries, and take actionable steps to protect their well-being while continuing to provide vital support to their clients. This presentation is a call for greater awareness and proactive strategies to support career advisors in maintaining their mental health.
About the Presenter:
Maryam (Marylyn) Taghizadehbaghi
Maryam (Marylyn) immigrated to Canada six years ago and quickly made an impact in the career development field. Beginning their journey as a Job Developer at WorkBC, they later took on the role of Project Coordinator and contributed to the Canadian Work Experience project, which focused on breaking down the stigma surrounding Canadian work experience in hiring practices. With a strong commitment to supporting job seekers, Maryam (Marylyn) spent two years supervising a team of +9 career advisors and case managers. Their leadership has helped guide professionals who work with diverse and often vulnerable clients. Prior to their immigration, Maryam (Marylyn) gained valuable experience in industries such as Car Producing, Manufacturing, Telecommunication, Supply Chain Consulting, Apparel and Retail. This diverse background provides Maryam (Marylyn) with a unique perspective on workforce challenges and solutions in Canada.
