Link copied to clipboard
November is National Career Development Month – or as we call it at The DeBruce Foundation, “the best time of the year!”
The DeBruce Foundation offers free, research-backed tools and resources to help people build empowered careers. From elementary students developing skills in the classroom, to teens exploring career paths, to adults advancing their careers, we have tools to help every step of the way.
In recognition of National Career Development Month, here are five ways you can build your career or help others develop theirs.
1. Celebrate and Communicate Your Strengths
Understanding your strengths is the foundation of career success. Take 15 minutes to complete the Agile Work Profiler©, a free, research-based career assessment that identifies your top Agilities©, or the work skills you’re best at and enjoy most.
Once you’ve taken the Agile Work Profiler, share your results! Update your resume, enhance your LinkedIn profile, or talk about your Agilities with a friend or mentor. By celebrating your strengths, you’ll boost confidence and open new doors.
2. Know Your Value in the Workforce
With your Agilities in hand, explore where they fit in the world of work. The DeBruce Foundation’s Career Explorer Tools – including the Occupation Decoder, Opportunity Explorer, and Education Explorer – help you see how your Agilities connect to careers, what education or training paths are available, and what opportunities are growing in your sector.
These data-driven tools make it easy to plan your next step – whether that’s choosing a major, identifying a new career direction, or exploring career growth options in your current role.
3. Get Inspiration and Resources for K-12 Students
Educators, counselors, and parents play a powerful role in helping students prepare for their futures. Join us on November 6 for Employment Empowerment for K–12: From Classroom to Career, a free, virtual event all about helping students build confidence and career readiness.
You’ll hear from bestselling author Dr. Brad Johnson, Dr. Leigh Anne Taylor Knight, Executive Director and COO of The DeBruce Foundation, and fellow K–12 educators. Together, they’ll share classroom-ready activities and frameworks that bring Career Literacy to life at every grade-level.
By the end, you’ll have practical ways to help students connect what they learn in school to the world of work — and see themselves thriving in it.
4. Build Your Network
Career development is not a solo journey; a strong network is vital. Building and nurturing relationships expands your access to opportunities, mentors, and insight into the many ways people build fulfilling careers.
Start simple: reach out to a colleague you admire to learn more about their career journey, attend a local workforce event, or invite a professional to speak to your classroom or group. The DeBruce Foundation’s research shows that when Career Literacy and strong networks combine, people build careers with higher wages, less risk of unemployment, better benefits, and more.
5. Draw Your Future
Imagine a world where everyone has the tools, knowledge, and confidence to build a thriving career. That’s the vision behind The DeBruce Foundation’s work. When people understand their Agilities, they can navigate career changes, explore new paths, and contribute their talents to a stronger, more resilient workforce.
Take a few moments this month to reflect: What will you do next to strengthen your own Career Literacy — and to help others build empowered careers? Use Draw Your Future with Agilities to plan your next steps.
Celebrate!
National Career Development Month is a celebration of growth, opportunity, and empowerment. Whether you’re discovering your own Agilities, inspiring students in the classroom, or connecting people to opportunities, you’re part of a movement to build an empowered workforce.
Explore all of The DeBruce Foundation’s free career tools, research, and upcoming events, and let’s keep building empowered careers, together.
