Jan 14, 2026
Dear Parents/Guardians,
This letter is to inform you of a new North Carolina requirement for graduation beginning this year. (Click here for G. S. 115c-158.10.) The state is requiring that all students must complete a Career Development Plan (CDP) before entering high school. This plan will be completed on the College Foundation of North Carolina website (https://www.cfnc.org/) and the NC Careers https://nccareers.org/ website. Your 8th grader will begin working on their CDP this semester, revisiting and revising the plan sophomore year. Below are the areas that students will explore on the NCCareers website:
Reality Check (what kind of lifestyle do you want and how much will it cost?)
Interest Finder (finding your interest using the Holland Code)
Career Cluster Match (exploring personal qualities; favorite subjects; favorite activities)
Work Values Sorter (what is important to you in a job?)
Skills Matcher (identify jobs that match your skills)
Be Your Own Boss (do you have what it takes to be an entrepreneur?)
After completing the above assessments, students will have the foundation for their personal Academic/Career Plan. These plans will live on the NCCareers website and can be revisited and revised at any time. The site offers valuable information about planning careers, education and job training, and even job searches. It is important that students take this process seriously because it can really help them find the right fit for their future. This plan will benefit students who plan to attend college OR those who plan to join the workforce OR the military after completing high school.
As a parent, you can visit these websites to familiarize yourself with the process. This is a great opportunity to discuss with your child his/her goals, dreams, and aspirations and the steps to take to make them come true.
Sincerely,
Barbara Lee, JCPS Career & Technical Education Director