IV 
116TH CONGRESS 
2D SESSION 
H. RES. 1239 
Expressing support for designating November 2020 National Career 
Development Month. 
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 
NOVEMBER 24, 2020 
Mr. LANGEVIN (for himself and Mr. THOMPSON of Pennsylvania) submitted 
the following resolution; which was referred to the Committee on Edu-
cation and Labor 
RESOLUTION 
Expressing support for designating November 2020 National 
Career Development Month. 
Whereas November 2020 marks the 107th year that the Na-
tional Career Development Association (NCDA) is com-
mitted to its mission of inspiring and empowering indi-
viduals to achieve their career and life goals; 
Whereas a competitive global economy requires workers who 
make informed career choices to prepare for skilled pro-
fessions; 
Whereas preparation for a purposeful career path helps to en-
sure gainful employment best utilizing one’s skills and 
talent, while providing potential employers with a well- 
prepared workforce ready to meet the challenges of the 
global marketplace; 
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•HRES 1239 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 in-
clude immediate employment in a civilian or military oc-
cupation, or further education at a vocational program, 
community college, or university; 
Whereas career development activities in our communities 
contribute to lower unemployment as people identify ca-
reers that match their interests and desired work envi-
ronments; 
Whereas freedom of occupational and career choice is one of 
the most important birthrights of every United States cit-
izen, and this freedom will be protected and enhanced 
throughout life; 
Whereas professional career development assistance, includ-
ing but not limited to career counseling, should be avail-
able to all persons throughout their lifespans; 
Whereas career development assistance is a community part-
nership effort involving the education system, the home 
and family structure, business, industry, and a wide vari-
ety of community agencies and organizations and is not 
carried out by career development professionals alone; 
Whereas equity, not just equality, of career development op-
portunities should be available for all persons; 
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; 
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•HRES 1239 IH 
Whereas helping individuals increase self-understanding of 
their abilities, interests, values, and goals is a vital foun-
dation of the career development process; 
Whereas career professionals help to provide career develop-
ment services to inspire and empower our citizens’ atten-
tion to where it is needed most: empowering the national 
economy through maximum individual productivity; 
Whereas according to the Bureau of Labor and Statistics, as 
of October 2020, 11,000,000 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 competi-
tiveness; 
Whereas career professionals are a vital resource for the live-
lihood of our Nation’s workforce and are underutilized 
relative to their potential need and value; 
Whereas a Harris Interactive Poll, conducted in partnership 
with NCDA, examined the perceptions of today’s work-
force 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 2011 Harris Poll results revealed that— 
(1) only one quarter (24 percent) of adults report 
that they have already visited a career practitioner and 
86 percent of those found them to be helpful; and 
(2) only 37 percent of respondents reported making 
a conscious choice when choosing a career while over half 
(56 percent) took the only job available, looked inter-
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•HRES 1239 IH 
esting at the time, or chose based on the influence of par-
ents, relatives, or friends: Now, therefore, be it 
Resolved, That the House of Representatives— 
(1) expresses support for the designation of 
‘‘National Career Development Month’’; 
(2) affirms that career professionals are a valu-
able resource for the Nation’s workforce; 
(3) recognizes career development activities in-
crease competencies needed for success in a global 
economy; 
(4) urges workers and jobseekers to utilize the 
services of career professionals; and 
(5) encourages career professionals, students, 
educators, parents, employers, and the current work-
force to celebrate and promote career development. 
Æ 
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