IV 

118TH CONGRESS 

1ST SESSION H. RES. 873 

Expressing support for designating November 2023 as ‘‘National Career 

Development Month’’. 

IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 

NOVEMBER 15, 2023 

Mr. THOMPSON of Pennsylvania (for himself and Ms. BONAMICI) submitted 

the following resolution; which was referred to the Committee on Education and the Workforce 

RESOLUTION 

Expressing support for designating November 2023 as 

‘‘National Career Development Month’’. 

Whereas November 2023 marks the 110th year that the National Career Development Association is committed to 

its mission of inspiring and empowering individuals to 

achieve their career and life goals; 

Whereas a competitive global economy requires workers who 

make informed career choices to prepare for skilled professions; 

Whereas preparation for a purposeful career path helps to ensure gainful employment best utilizing one’s skills and 

talent, while providing potential employers with a wellprepared workforce ready to meet the challenges of the 

global marketplace; 


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•HRES 873 IH 

Whereas career development programs enable students to 

gain a realistic understanding of how formal education 

prepares them for post-high school plans, which may include immediate employment in a civilian or military occupation, or further education at a career and technical 

education program, community college, or university; 

Whereas career development activities in our communities 

contribute to lower unemployment as people identify careers that match their interests and desired work environments; 

Whereas freedom of occupational and career choice is one of 

the most important birthrights of every United States citizen, and this freedom will be protected and enhanced 

throughout life; 

Whereas professional career development assistance, including career counseling, should be available to all persons 

throughout their lifespans; 

Whereas career development assistance is a community partnership effort involving the education system, the home 

and family structure, business, industry, and a wide variety of community agencies and organizations, and is not 

carried out by career development professionals alone; 

Whereas the right to change occupations or career directions 

is fully as important as the right to choose an occupation 

or career direction; 

Whereas accurate, up-to-date information about educational 

and occupational opportunities is vital; 

Whereas helping individuals increase self-understanding of 

their abilities, interests, values, and goals is a vital foundation of the career development process; 


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•HRES 873 IH 

Whereas career professionals help to provide career development services to inspire and empower our citizens’ attention to where it is needed most: empowering the national 

economy through maximum individual productivity; 

Whereas, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, as of 

September 2023, 6,400,000 workers are unemployed; 

Whereas career professionals help the United States worker 

meet the very real and immediate challenges of economic 

development, student achievement, and global competitiveness; 

Whereas career professionals are a vital resource for the livelihood of our Nation’s workforce and are underutilized 

relative to their potential need and value; 

Whereas a Harris Interactive Poll, conducted in partnership 

with the National Career Development Association, examined the perceptions of today’s workforce on the effectiveness of career counselors, the need for expanded workforce training opportunities, and the hardships implicit in 

selecting, changing, or getting a job in the current economic climate, and the feedback is very clear; and 

Whereas the 2021 Harris Interactive Poll results revealed 

that— 

(1) only 13 percent of adults report that they had 

worked with a career specialist such as a school or private counselor, but 85 percent of Americans find professional career development assistance valuable; and 

(2) 58 percent of Americans regret not having 

worked with a career services professional in the past: 

Now, therefore, be it 

1 Resolved, That the House of Representatives— 


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•HRES 873 IH 

1 (1) expresses support for the designation of 

2 ‘‘National Career Development Month’’; 

3 (2) affirms that career professionals are a valu4 able resource for the Nation’s workforce; 

5 (3) recognizes career development activities in6 crease competencies needed for success in a global 

7 economy; 

8 (4) urges workers and jobseekers to utilize the 

9 services of career professionals; and 

10 (5) encourages career professionals, students, 

11 educators, parents, employers, and the current work12 force to celebrate and promote career development. 

Æ 


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