As December arrives, we seem to have overlooked a certain aspect of the past month. November 2017 was National Career Development month and the significance of this month and the many important lessons it teaches seem to have gone by largely unnoticed in Carlisle High School- it’s time to change that. 

National Career Development Month is an event put on each November by the National Career Development Association.

According to their website, this month is, “designed to highlight the importance of life-long career development and the personal empowerment of all people. Events and activities planned by national, state and local organizations may help examine lives, careers, and alternatives available to increase everyone’s personal success and happiness.”

These events can also deal with financial aid, future readiness or simply how to be productive and happy in the working world.

Last month, in honor of the event, USAToday College published an article on “25 Ways to Get Ahead” which gives the reader 25 ways to think ahead about their careers. Many of these are as simple as making a list of accomplishments as you go so that you always have a current list to compliment your resume. They also suggest talking to a mentor or counselor who knows about the field in order to understand what is necessary to do well in your job and eliminate any uncertainties about what you want to do.

Along the same lines, Caliber Collision suggests taking a test online to find career courses that are in line with your work ethic and abilities. There are many tests and quizzes available to assess career aptitude but if you aren’t aware of your strengths and weakness making a list is the best place to start. You can begin by looking at a list of antonyms for example: organized or disorganized and compile a list of adjectives that apply to you. This can be a good way to discern strengths and weaknesses.

While it may not seem like a huge deal right now, it’s imperative that we recognize these events and take advantage as students to be prepared for our careers and learn the lessons that will make us better workers in the future.

Disclaimer: Articles designated as “Editorial” represent the views and opinions of the author, not the 2017-2018 Periscope staff, CHS Administration, or the CHS student body.