A Pilot Project with Urban Aboriginal Youth

Margo Purcell’s Career I’m good at everything, I’m not the best at anything. I know what I don’t want to do... Life altering experience Followed favourite skill LifePath

Session Objectives Learn about the LifePath framework Explore adaptations made for youth and specifically for Aboriginal youth Experience part of the LifePath framework Hear and discuss shared learnings from the pilot project

A G E N D A Day 1 Introduction/Overview Accomplishment Analysis Skills Lunch Accomplishment #2 Interests Accomplishment #3

A G E N D A Day 2 Values Accomplishment #4 Personality Lunch Personality continued Accomplishment #5&6 Skills Revisited

A G E N D A Day 3 Ideal Working Environment Career Blueprint Networking Informational Interviewing Lunch Current Situation Analysis Planning for Change Writing Targeted Bio’s Future Vision Action Plan

Adaptations Youth MBTI Student Edition (now exploring Lumina Spark) Introduction and Instructions tailored to youth Communication with parents/guardians on how to communicate with youth about career after LifePath Aboriginal Youth Part of a larger program with ongoing support/coaching after LifePath Youth have to apply to the program Added number of trained individuals in room during LifePath to provide in-depth feedback and support’ Added support materials Ran over course of 4 days – split Day 3 into two days

Accomplishment Analysis Process First person tells story. Listeners question for additional detail if needed. Speaker and listeners identify: Skills Interests Personality Traits or Tendencies Values Speaker makes notes on Accomplishment Form. Process is repeated for each person in the group. TARGET TIME: 15 MINUTES PER PERSON

Career Blueprint More than anything, I desire to bring smiles to people and/or animals on a daily basis. I am skilled at helping people and animals. To do that, I use my skills of observing, reflecting, identifying patterns and strategic thinking to then design alternative ways of communicating knowledge and concepts. I am skilled at visualizing and then communicating facts and concepts through visuals. I am also skilled at inspiring and motivating others, identifying their needs, breaking things into parts and then communicating them in alternative ways using humour and innovation. My strongest interests involve creativity and animals including photography, cooking, cartooning, horse riding and watching animals. I also enjoy travel, video games and scary movies. I am an insightful person who is thoughtful and caring about people and animals. I am innovative and creative, expressive and understanding. I enjoy being helpful in innovative and reflective ways. I want to work in a team, learning a clear understanding of what makes individuals unique and how to entertain such a wide range of traits. I want my team to preferably be small groups. I also want my work planned out and designated to me. I desire long hours and a job that challenges me to constantly learn.

Results 16/23 participants that completed LifePath rated it as Excellent (2 did not do evaluations) Pathways Program Feedback Participants referred to their blueprints, accomplishments, skills and interests throughout the Pathways Program Often heard in conversation with each other as well, encouraging each other to remember what they are best at Set the tone for the program and gave focus Bonded group, helped understand each other Feedback from participants incredibly positive overall (see feedback summary)

Key Learnings Participants need to have chosen to apply to the program themselves Needs to be part of a larger program Place LifePath at the beginning of a longer- term program Essential to create safe space in the session Framework is adaptable to a variety of groups and participants Power of stories Deep caring and genuine belief in potential of every participants is necessary Opportunity to develop others Opportunity to engage parents, elders, teachers and community on how to provide ongoing support (ie. Blueprint sharing, skill development)