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What a July it has been! From celebrating America’s 250th birthday and the excitement of the FIFA World Cup to traveling for annual conferences and trainings, The DeBruce Foundation team has had the privilege of celebrating incredible partnerships all month long.
One of my favorite parts of this work is meeting partners, exchanging ideas, and advancing our shared mission of expanding career pathways. Wherever I’ve traveled, I’ve been inspired by people from different backgrounds and communities coming together to champion what matters most: students discovering new opportunities, educators investing in the next generation, and volunteers, administrators, and community leaders making it all possible.
There is something energizing about aligning with great people, doing meaningful work, for a purpose that truly matters. That shared commitment creates hope, momentum, and joy.
Thank you to our partners for all you do. We celebrate your impact, and we’re cheering you on every step of the way
Career literacy and employment security in the U.S.
New research commissioned by The DeBruce Foundation, now featured on Inside Higher Ed, explores how career literacy can help people navigate an evolving workforce. Drawing on data from approximately 36,000 Americans, the study found that career literacy is strongly linked to career exploration and employment security.
The research found that people with higher career literacy:
- Consider more career options
- Are more open to changing careers
- Are more likely to experience employment security
- Benefit from understanding how their skills, interests, and education connect to career pathways
Read the research and learn more about the role career literacy plays in navigating the future of work.
Start the school year with Agilities™
Middle, high school, and post-secondary educators, this is for you:
The first weeks of school are all about getting to know your students. The Agile Work Profiler™ can help students ages 13 and older discover their strengths, interests, and approaches to learning in about 15 minutes.
The Back-to-School Kit gives you everything you need to put students’ results into action, including ready-to-use classroom activities, discussion prompts, team-building resources, and facilitation guides.
Help students identify their Agilities, build connections, and explore future opportunities and start the school year by getting to know your students in a whole new way. Access the Back-to-School Kit now!
Navigating the Future of AI
Young people are entering the workforce at a moment of both uncertainty and hope. As AI transforms the world of work, it expands opportunities to learn, apply skills, and explore new career options.
Featured in The Kansas City Star, Dr. Leigh Anne Taylor Knight discusses how students can leverage career resources and tools to guide their professional experiences in an AI-driven workforce. Emphasizing how career literacy and adaptability are essential skills for navigating a future, she encourages students to prepare for the twists and turns of the journey.
“The goal of career development was never supposed to be predicting the future perfectly. It is about preparing people to navigate change with confidence.” Read the full article.
Don’t just meet the moment, make the most of it
The future of work is here, and helping students prepare for careers in the modern workforce remains a core focus for The DeBruce Foundation.
During the 12th annual National Uncharted Learning Summit, Patti Dobrowolski and DeBruce Foundation team members Leigh Anne Taylor Knight, Kristie Larson, and Cindy Schluckebier joined educators for workshops and keynotes on career development in the AI-driven labor market. Together, they explored how the Agilities framework and Draw Your Future with Agilities can serve as strategic tools for student success amid an evolving workforce.
Using interactive resources and eye-opening data, attendees discovered the importance of building career confidence in an era of shifting workforce culture and identity.
Know a future DeBruce Career Corps member?
The DeBruce Career Corps is a national virtual youth advisory board made up of young people ages 14–24 who are in high school, college, or early in their careers. Members bring their unique perspectives to The DeBruce Foundation and help shape tools, programs, and resources designed to support young people as they explore their futures. Members have opportunities to:
- Share their voice through focus groups, panels, and project feedback
- Help develop tools and programs that support career exploration
- Build leadership and professional skills
- Connect with peers and mentors from across the country
Know a student or young professional interested in making an impact? Learn more.
From exploring skills to building a future
For Tyra McNeil, Strategic Communications Intern at The DeBruce Foundation, community partnerships with The Foundation have proven to be a powerful tool for success, helping her unlock her strengths and build career literacy.
In a new blog post, she shares how her introduction to The DeBruce Foundation’s Agilities framework through ProX and Youth Lead KC has shaped her journey from high school through college and into professional experiences.
“There has been no limit to how I use them in my professional career,” she shares.
From internships to new hobbies, the Agilities continue to help Tyra identify strengths, build confidence, and navigate new experiences that she may have never considered.
Learn more about her story.
Are you looking for resources to build career pathways in your classroom, curriculum, or organization? Register now to explore our career tools!
Educators:
Access free resources and asynchronous training here
Virtual Agilities Tours:
July 28, August 11, August 25
Virtual Introduction to Agilities K-12 Resources for Educators:
August 19, September 16, October 21
In-Person Agilities Coach Training:
Sept. 17-18 (Kansas City, MO)
August 18-19 (New Castle, IN)
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