Career Literacy

Career Literacy and Employment Security in the U.S.

“Work is changing faster than ever, and the people who succeed are not simply those who pick the right first job – they are the people who understand how to navigate a lifetime of work.”

– Dr. Leigh Anne Taylor Knight, Executive Director and COO of The DeBruce Foundation

career literacy (noun)
/kəˈrɪr ˈlɪtərəsi/
The ability to make informed, adaptable decisions about your career over time

A research report commissioned by The DeBruce Foundation, Career Literacy and Employment Security in the U.S., examines how career literacy influences employment security, career exploration, and economic opportunity. Drawing on data from approximately 36,000 Americans collected between 2021 and 2025, the study demonstrates that career literacy is strongly linked to positive workforce outcomes and highlights the importance of expanding access to career development resources.

Key findings include:

• Individuals with high career literacy consider about 6 jobs during a job search, compared to 2 options for those with low career literacy. 
  
• Career literacy is associated with a higher likelihood of employment across the lifespan, with each unit increase in career literacy associated with about 10% greater likelihood of being employed.
  
• Career literacy grows with age, suggesting early exposure can improve long-term employment and economic outcomes.
  

Research shows that career literacy, along with network strength, are key factors in employment empowerment. To read more about how career literacy supports employment empowerment, head here.