This Thanksgiving, Change the Question for more possibilities.
For generations, we’ve asked young people: “What do you want to be when you grow up?” It’s time to change the question and make room for more possibilities. The conversations we have with young people can help them explore what they’re good at, what they’re curious about, and what they might want to try next.
This Thanksgiving, use the Change the Question Conversation Guide to start a new kind of discussion about the future. With one page for youth and one for adults, this two-page printable guide helps everyone around the table join the conversation.
Or, use the mobile conversation cards right from your phone!
Preview the Conversation
These are just a few examples. The full set of conversation starters is included in the printable guide and mobile conversation cards.
Why #ChangetheQuestion?
Research from The DeBruce Foundation found that conversations with trusted adults play an important role in helping young people develop career literacy, the ability to make informed, adaptable decisions about careers over time.
The average person may hold 18 jobs across six careers over a lifetime. Sharing stories, asking questions, and exploring possibilities together can help young people build confidence to navigate what comes next.
Share the Conversation
We’d love to see how you’re changing the question. Share a favorite conversation starter, a reflection from your table, your idea for a new question, or a photo of your conversation guide using #ChangeTheQuestion and tag @DeBruceFound!
Continue the Conversation
The Thanksgiving Conversation Guide is just one way to Change the Question. Explore more free career literacy resources at Agilities.org, including classroom activities, career exploration tools, and resources for families and educators.
Change the Question in the Classroom
We’re challenging educators to Change the Question in the classroom. Share the classroom challenge with a teacher or educator in your community and help create more space for young people to explore what’s possible.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is the Change the Question Thanksgiving Conversation Guide for?
The guide is designed for families and friends to use during Thanksgiving or other family dinners and gatherings. The questions can be adapted for different ages and conversations.
Can kids and teens lead the conversation?
Absolutely. Our guide offers questions for both adults and youth to ask and learn from each other.
How much does it cost?
The Thanksgiving Conversation Guide is free for anyone!
Why are conversations about careers important for young people?
Conversations with trusted adults can help young people explore their strengths and interests, learn about career possibilities, and build career literacy. Career literacy helps people make informed, adaptable decisions about their careers over time.
What is career literacy and why is it important?
Career literacy is the ability to make informed, adaptable decisions about your career over time. It includes understanding your skills and interests, exploring career possibilities, and developing the knowledge and confidence to navigate changing career pathways. Learn more by exploring our national research.
What are the Agilities?
Agilities are work skills found in every job. They reflect what you enjoy doing, what you do well, and how you prefer to learn, solve problems, and contribute. Understanding your Agilities helps you build confidence, develop career literacy, and explore careers that align with your strengths. As your experiences and skills grow, your Agilities can evolve over time. Once you discover your Agilities, you can explore careers where those strengths are commonly used and valued.
The 10 Agilities are: Developing Others, Innovating, Inspecting, Judging and Estimating, Managing, Operating Objects, Organizing, Selling and Communicating, Serving and Caring, and Working with Information.
