National Career Development Month 2026
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What if one question could change a young person’s future?
November is National Career Development Month – and the perfect time to rethink one of the most common questions we ask young people.
For generations we’ve asked,
“What do you want to be when you grow up?”
But today’s careers aren’t linear. One answer is no longer enough. The best way to prepare young people isn’t to help them pick one future—it’s to help them discover many.
It’s time to change the question. Let’s help young people imagine more possibilities, discover their skills and interests, and explore more futures.
For Educators
Do one free classroom activity to help your students explore more futures.
For Families
Open up a whole new conversation this Thanksgiving with our free conversation guide.
Why it matters
Careers are changing.
The average person today will have six different careers and eighteen different jobs in their lifetime. Students need adaptability, not just one job title.
Exploration builds confidence.
Young people who see more career possibilities make stronger career decisions and consider more possible careers.
Career literacy matters.
The DeBruce Foundation’s research shows career literacy helps people discover more career options and achieve stronger employment outcomes with higher wages.
The Research Behind the Movement
Our work is grounded in years of national research on Career Literacy, Employment Empowerment, , and how young people think about careers. Research shows that individuals with both career literacy and strong networks are more likely to be employed, explore more career possibilities, and earn significantly higher incomes.
Join Us!
Whether you’re an educator, parent, employer, mentor, coach, or simply someone who cares about a young person, you can help change the question.
Explore Your Career Pathways
Discover yourself and learn more about your strengths and interests.
Get your results