Session 3 – Direction Discovery

⭐ Purpose of Week 3:

To help learners convert their identity (Week 1) and purpose signals (Week 2) into three clear, realistic, and meaningful direction options. Each direction reflects a combination of values, strengths, motivations, and emotional resonance.

These three directions become the starting point for Week 4 decision-making.

🔷 SECTION 1 — Purpose Themes to Career/Life Domains

Learning Goal:

  • Learners will identify 2–4 broad career or life domains that align with their strengths, values, and purpose signals.

Expanded Description:

  • Students explore how their Week 1–2 insights connect to real-world domains. This section helps them identify fields, roles, or problem spaces that match who they are.

They will learn to:

  • Translate strengths + values + emotional resonance into broad domains
  • Connect purpose signals to real-world opportunities
  • Identify domains where they can thrive and contribute
  • Understand early alignment between identity and the world of work

Example:

  • Purpose Signals: “Structure, clarity, helping others, calm under pressure.”
  • Aligned Domains: Coaching, operations, training, administrative leadership, project coordination.

Deliverables (with examples):

Deliverable 1 — Purpose-Aligned Domains List

  • Students name 2–4 domains and write one alignment sentence for each.

Example Entry:

  • Coaching & Support: “I enjoy helping people grow and feel energized when others succeed.”
  • Operations: “I naturally organize chaos and feel calm when bringing structure.”

Activities:

1.     Warm-Up Prompt (2 min)

  • “Which environments or fields feel naturally ‘right’ based on your strengths and drivers?”

2. Domains Exploration (10 min)

Instructor introduces domain types:

  • People-focused
  • Creative/innovative
  • Analytical/technical
  • Organizational/structure
  • Service/impact
  • Entrepreneurial

3. Connection Mapping (8 min)

  • Students match Week 2 Purpose Signals to domain categories.

4. Optional Pair Share (5 min)

  • Share one domain and alignment rationale.

Practice GPTs (max 3):

1. JS-Interest Explorer — Identifies interest clusters.

2. IK-Value GPT — Connects values to real-world domains.

3. JS-Career Path Planner GPT — Suggests aligned occupational clusters.

🔷 SECTION 2 — Skill Transfer Mapping

Learning Goal:

Learners will identify how their transferable skills can be applied across multiple domains.

Expanded Description:

Students explore how their strengths and skills (Week 1) work across different fields. Transfer mapping helps reveal possibilities they might overlook.

They will learn to:

Break down skills into functional components

  • See how one skill applies across multiple roles
  • Understand career mobility and adaptability
  • Connect strengths to potential future roles

Example:

  • Skill: “Active listening”
  • Transferable to: Coaching, leadership roles, customer service, conflict resolution, training.

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Deliverables (with examples):

Deliverable 2 — Transferable Skills Map

  • Students create a 3-column map:
  • Skill → How I use it now → Where it could apply

Example Entry:

  • Skill: Time management
  • Current Use: Balancing work and school
  • Possible Applications: Project coordination, administrative support, hospitality operations

Activities:

1. Skills Review (5 min)

  • Prompt:  “Which skills from Week 1 show up the most often in your life?”

2. Transfer Map Worksheet (15 min)

  • Students select 5 skills and map them to new domains.

3. Example Reflection (5 min)

  • Prompt: “Which skill surprised you in terms of how many places it could fit?”

Practice GPTs (max 3):

  1. JS-Skills Gap Analyzer — Highlights roles that match (or stretch) current skills.
  2. SA-Skills Assessment GPT — Identifies transferable skills across 13 categories.
  3. Achievement Companion GPT — Extracts skills from personal examples.
🔷 SECTION 3 — Emerging Pathway Design

Learning Goal:

Learners will design three early-direction “pathways” based on domains, strengths, skills, and purpose signals.

Expanded Description:

Students begin shaping Pathway Drafts — possible directions for their future. Pathways include role types, environments, impact, and the “why.”

They will learn to:

  • Create three divergent, realistic pathway drafts
  • Ensure each pathway aligns with values, strengths, and purpose signals
  • Start visualizing roles where they can thrive
  • Understand that pathways evolve — not final choices yet

Example Pathway:

  • Pathway A: Coaching & Personal Development
  • Focus: Helping others grow, communication, empathy
  • Why it fits: Strong alignment with purpose signals and emotional highs

Deliverables (with examples):

Deliverable 3 — Pathway Drafts (Three Options)

Each draft includes:

  • Operations & Coordination
  • Roles: Project coordinator, shift supervisor, administrative coordinator
  • Alignment: Strong at organizing chaos, stays calm, values structure
  • Conditions: Clear expectations, supportive team, autonomy

Activities:

1. Guided Prompts (5 min)

  • “Where have you felt naturally effective?”
  • “Which domains feel emotionally aligned?”
  • “Where would your skills be used well?”

2. Pathway Draft Creation (15 min)

  • Students build 3 independent pathway drafts.

3. Optional Peer Discussion (10 min)

  • Share one pathway for feedback.

Practice GPTs (max 3):

  1. CT-Option Generator — Helps create diverse pathway possibilities.
  2. JS-Career Research Assistant — Provides roles and industries.
  3. IK-Statement GPT — Ensures alignment between identity + purpose.
🔷 SECTION 4 — Pathway Summary

Learning Goal:

Learners will synthesize their three pathway drafts into a clear, comparable summary.

Expanded Description:

Students consolidate their pathways into a simple comparison format that will be used in Week 4 for decision-making.

They will learn to:

  • Summarize key information succinctly
  • Compare pathways based on values, strengths, and signals
  • Prepare to evaluate trade-offs next week
  • Articulate pathways confidently

Example Summary Statement:

  • “My top three pathways involve coaching, operations, and community service

  Each reflecting my strengths in clarity, support, and structure.”

Deliverables (with examples):

Deliverable 4 — Three-Pathway Summary Sheet

Includes:

  1. Name of each pathway
  2. 1–2 strengths aligned
  3. 1–2 values aligned
  4. Why this pathway matters
  5. Conditions to thrive

Example Entry:

  1. Pathway C: Community Service & Program Support
  2. Strengths: Empathy, organization
  3. Values: Service, contribution
  4. Why: High resonance with purpose signals
  5. Conditions: Supportive team, meaningful mission

Activities:

1. Synthesis Worksheet (10 min)

  • Students combine drafts into a 3-pathway summary.

2. Comparison Prompt (10 min)

  • “Which pathway feels most energizing today — and why?”

3. Optional Peer Reflection (5 min)

  • Share the pathway that feels most compelling.

Practice GPTs (max 3):

  1. CT-Decision Matrix — Optional early comparison tool.
  2. JS-Career Path Planner — Helps refine each pathway direction.
  3. ST-Socratic Tutor — Supports clearer articulation and reasoning.