This post was written by NCDPI’s Career and Technical Education (CTE) team. To learn more about their work, visit the CTE page on NCDPI’s website.
Each November, educators, businesses and communities across NC join the nation in celebrating Career Development Month, an initiative led by the National Career Development Association (NCDA) to highlight the importance of career awareness, exploration and readiness.
Governor Josh Stein has proclaimed November 2025 as NC Career Development Month and November 19, 2025, as NC Career Development Coordinator (CDC) Day, a statewide recognition of the professionals who shape students’ futures every day. The proclamation honors the extraordinary impact of CDCs in helping students explore their potential, make informed career decisions and transition successfully to postsecondary education, employment or enlistment in the military.
The Cornerstone of Career Development
Career Development Coordinators are the cornerstone of Career and Technical Education, guiding students toward meaningful futures. NC is one of the few states that designates dedicated professionals focused solely on student career development. Over 450 CDCs serve students in middle and high schools statewide.
CDCs collaborate with administrators, counselors, teachers, parents and community partners to ensure access to career exploration and work-based learning opportunities. Learn more about career development and work-based learning on the NCDPI website.
The Multifaceted Role of the CDC
The CDCs’ role extends far beyond classroom presentations or career fairs. Their work is anchored in five essential service areas taking students through their NC Career Development Continuum shaping their career development journey.
- Career Development: Helping students assess interests, values and skills; explore pathways; and align coursework and goals with their strengths and local labor market needs.
- Preparatory Services: Coordinating work-based learning experiences such as job shadowing, internships and apprenticeships.
- Transition Services: Assisting students as they move from high school to college, military service or direct employment.
- Partnerships: Building strong connections with employers, postsecondary institutions and community organizations to expand real-world opportunities.
- Professional Development: Staying informed on workforce trends, certifications and emerging industries.
Their work integrates the NC Career Development Continuum, NC Standard Course of Study, NCDA Competencies and the National Model for School Counseling Programs, all under the framework of preparing future-ready students for the 21st century.
A Bridge to Opportunity and Employability
CDCs empower students to make informed decisions regarding their post-high school plans, whether pursuing higher education, the workforce or military service.
One of the most powerful ways CDCs prepare students for success beyond high school is by embedding the NCDPI Portrait of a Graduate competencies into CTE and career development activities. These seven essential durable skills: Adaptability, Collaboration, Communication, Critical Thinking, Empathy, Learner’s Mindset and Personal Responsibility equip students to thrive in any setting.
Through mock interviews, internships, business partnerships and reflective goal-setting, CDCs help students practice these skills in authentic contexts. Alongside CTE teachers and school counselors, they cultivate future-ready learners who are confident, resilient and employable.
Numbers Behind the Impact
The 2023–2024 NCDPI CTE At-a-Glance Report showcases the measurable outcomes of coordinated career development across North Carolina:
- 550,918 CTE participants and 66,241 concentrators engaged in career-focused learning.
- 98% of CTE concentrators graduated, exceeding the state average of 87%.
- 97% of concentrators achieved positive postsecondary placement in college, military, national service or the workforce.
- Students earned 358,069 industry-recognized credentials, with 69% of concentrators graduating with at least one credential aligned to their career pathway.
These numbers reflect not only student and teacher dedication but also the coordination and advocacy provided by CDCs. Their work ensures that NC students are not just graduating, they are graduating prepared.
A Statewide Celebration of Career Development
North Carolina’s CDCs are more than educators, they are career architects, building bridges between students’ aspirations and the state’s dynamic economy. As we celebrate Career Development Month and NC CDC Day, we honor the more than 450 CDCs who inspire students to dream big, plan boldly and step confidently into their futures.
To recognize their impact, NCDPI encourages schools and communities to highlight CDC stories and share them through the Celebrate the Good initiative, showcasing how these educators are transforming lives and building NC’s future workforce.
For questions on NC Career Development and the role of the CDCs, email CTECareerDevelopment@dpi.nc.gov or contact NC Career Development and Work-based Learning Consultant Amy Schroeder at Amy.Schroeder@dpi.nc.gov.