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| Throughout my 27 years as an educator, much of my work centered on helping other educators enhance their ability to support the thinking and learning of youth. In many ways, I continue with this approach in my role as an Integration Specialist with The DeBruce Foundation, where I get to support and train educators and career coaches who guide others in exploring career possibilities by recognizing and leveraging their Agilities™. As both an educator and a parent of two sons, one in high school and the other just getting started in college, I truly appreciate how much the questions we ask young people can shape the way they envision their futures. That’s why the upcoming Change the Question campaign resonates with me. By shifting our conversations from what someone wants to be toward what they enjoy doing and the strengths they bring, we can help open doors to possibilities they may not have previously imagined |
#ChangetheQuestion in the classroom
Career paths today are rarely linear: the average person hold 18 jobs across 6 careers in their lifetime! Instead of the familiar question, “What do you want to be when you grow up?” that encourages a single answer, it’s time to Change the Question to prepare students for their many futures
This November, during National Career development Month, we invite educators to Change the Question in the classroom by trying one free Agilities ™ classroom activity with your students. With resources for elementary, middle, and high school leaders, educators can help students explore their strengths, interests, and career possibilities—and build career literacy to navigate a changing workforce. Join the classroom challenge.
Continue the conversation at the Thanksgiving table
This Thanksgiving, Change the Question at your family gathering. Instead of asking young people, “What do you want to be when you grow up?” invite them to share what interests them, what they enjoy doing, and what they’re curious to explore. These conversations can help young people connect their interests with new possibilities for the future.
The DeBruce Foundation’s Thanksgiving Conversation Guide offers simple prompts to spark meaningful conversations around the table. Use it to help young people recognize their strengths, explore new ideas, and imagine futures they may not have considered. Try asking, “What problems do you enjoy solving?” or “What do you want to learn next?”
This holiday, make space for curiosity and help young people feel more confident exploring what comes next. Download the guide.
Welcome, Kristy!
The DeBruce Foundation welcomes Kristy Jackson, Ed.S., to the team! With more than 20 years of experience in executive leadership, entrepreneurship, and education, Kristy brings valuable expertise in expanding pathways to economic opportunity.
Previously, she served as the inaugural Executive Director of the Center of Innovation and Entrepreneurship at Harris-Stowe State University, helping aspiring entrepreneurs pursue their goals.
Since joining The Foundation, Kristy has begun connecting with Agilities Coaches and contributing her experience to our mission of empowering people to reach their full potential. We look forward to the perspective and expertise she brings to this work!
Youth, careers, and AI on Empowering Careers
How are young people thinking about their career futures in the age of AI?
In the latest episode of Empowering Careers, Dr. Leigh Anne Taylor Knight talks with Dr. Andrew Clarkwest of American Institutes for Research and lead researcher for The DeBruce Foundation’s latest national youth research, How to Talk with Youth About Careers in the Age of AI. They explore how AI shapes young people’s outlook on career opportunities and how Career Literacy and Network Strength can help reduce pessimism and build confidence.
DeBruce Foundation interns Tyra McNeil and Ava Potter also join the conversation to reflect on the research, share their own career exploration experiences, and discuss how adults can help young people explore possibilities and take steps toward their futures. Listen now.
Building skills, shaping our mission
Youth voices continue to shape the work of The DeBruce Foundation through the DeBruce Career Corps, our national youth advisory group.
Members build professional skills and share their perspectives through monthly meetings and hands-on projects, from event planning to project management. Recent projects include:
- Planning a Virtual Networking Summit to connect young people
- Developing video lessons
- Building job search skills using the Agilities framework
- Reviewing and providing feedback on Foundation initiatives
Learn more about the DeBruce Career Corps and help youth in your network apply today.
See how educators are changing the question
October might be all about pumpkins, costumes, and candy, but we’re looking ahead to a November tradition: National Career Development Month! In our October blog, we’re highlighting educators using classroom activities to help students explore their strengths, interests, and career possibilities through our Change the Question Classroom Challenge. The activities encourage students to look beyond a single answer to “What do you want to be when you grow up?”
Elementary educator Lisa Elaine Peters is helping her second graders connect what they love, from helping others to leading, with skills they can use across a variety of careers. As Lisa puts it, “For young students, career readiness is really about self-discovery.”
Read the full blog to hear from educators working with elementary, middle, and high school students and discover free resources to try in your classroom this November.
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 online training
Virtual Agilities Tours:
October 27, November 10, December 1
Virtual Introduction to Agilities K-12 Resources for Educators:
November 18
In-Person Agilities Coach Training:
November 17-18 (Fort Wayne, IN)
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