The Transformative Power of Purpose-Driven Career Exploration

Many young people struggle to fully discover and connect their educational and career goals while in school. They are often underprepared for, or unaware of, existing pathways to rewarding careers. That’s why students must receive early opportunities for career exploration as part of effective career-connected learning experiences. 

Career exploration empowers young people to build a foundation of agency and self-awareness that helps them to identify potential career identities. When done correctly, career exploration has several stages. First, students ask themselves, “What do I believe in? What are my strengths? What do I enjoy?” 

Then, they consider questions such as, “What problems am I passionate about solving? What issues do I care about?” Eventually, they are introduced to careers that align with their interests, strengths and sense of purpose, and are given opportunities to explore those careers through meaningful hands-on experiences.

What does this look like in practice? Look no further than Catalyze grantee nXu, which has created a research-based middle and high school curriculum that places purpose development at the nexus of career exploration, social-emotional practices, positive identity development, and community building. nXu has also developed an associated partnership model — that includes educator training & development, ongoing curriculum implementation support, and an assessment system — through which they are supporting a growing number of schools and youth programs across the country to implement their curriculum.  

nXu’s curriculum and partnership model is resonating. Between 2021 and 2023, nXu expanded its partnership reach from eight states to more than 20. And in the last school year alone, more than 12,000 students experienced nXu’s curriculum through their schools and programs.

“nXu is the foundation of the career exploration program at our school,” said Mike Taubman, director of the Summit Program at North Star Academy, part of the Uncommon Schools network. “Early surveys show that students in the program report stronger self-advocacy skills and confidence compared to students at the same school not in the program.”

Taubman highlighted nXu’s daily lesson plans, which make it simple for teachers to implement career exploration into everyday learning. He also praised their focus on the students themselves — what they’re passionate about and what they excel at — before drawing connections to careers. 

Cody Long, an educator who uses nXu’s curriculum with his middle school students at District of Columbia International School, agreed. “nXu’s curriculum is scaffolded really well. We don’t begin talking about specific careers with most middle school students, but they gain this really extensive background knowledge about themselves, how they think and what makes them special. When they begin to think about careers in eighth grade or high school, they have this really strong foundation already in place.”

nXu’s approach sets it apart from other models that fail to really engage students in the exploration process, and instead drop a list of careers in front of them and ask, “Which ones do you want to explore?” Using nXu’s resources and curriculum work, North Star Academy has formed partnerships with employers including Audible and Gensler. 

In one particularly successful case, a student in the Summit program landed an op-ed in The New York Times after discovering he was passionate about using his skills as a writer to launch a journalism career.

“We need young people who are able to take their passions and curiosity and apply them in practical ways,” said Taubman. “That’s what will help to make our world a better place.”