Working On Purpose

Method

Created By Someone Who Understands

In 1987, Steve Miller was struggling with many of the same issues that career advisors are still struggling with today: low client engagement, pressure to meet rapid placement outcomes, huge caseloads, and a significant lack of long-term retention.

Fearing outcome-based funding cuts and feeling disappointed by the apparent lack of impact he was making in his client’s lives, Steve decided to figure out what was missing. Inspired by Joseph Cambell’s Hero Journey, Steve undertook his own 7 year odyssey of research and collaboration, and created a program that has now helped thousands of individuals launch meaningful careers.

See how the program engages clients, helps unemployed clients get jobs faster, gives career advisors more time to work more impactfully with clients, and ultimately results in meaningful long-term career satisfaction - for both clients and advisors.

How Working On Purpose Works

Each unique delivery option utilizes the same core program, in a format that works for you.

Explore Delivery Options

Two people looking at a mirror, looking thoughtful

DISCOVER

Step 1: Remove Internal Barriers

In the first phase of the program, participants engage in introspective work and begin to explore their current self-perceptions and the reasons behind their everyday choices.While self-discovery work can seem like taking a detour from getting a quick job, we’ve consistently found that seeking a purpose filled career gets more immediate prospects than a strategy focused solely on finding a survival job. When participants identify and overcome their barriers and connect with their deeper motivations, they achieve better outcomes—both now and in the long run.

LEARNING OVERVIEW

Take Charge

How do we make choices?
Beliefs and how they lead to conscious and unconscious payoffs
Choosing who we want to be

Get Unstuck

The trap of the traditional career choice path
The power of perception
Labels, stories, and defenses

DESIGN

Step 2: Create A Vision

Taking a step back from focusing exclusively on career, participants get an opportunity to robustly examine their values and how they want to be in their lives in general, such as relationships with other people, financial aspirations and health goals.

Next, they use those discoveries to write a Personal Mission Statement that captures their vision for what they want their life to be like.

Finally, participants write a Work Purpose Statement that aligns with their Personal Mission Statement. This document becomes both a guiding star and a foundation for launching the life and career they want.

LEARNING OVERVIEW

Get Real

Identities, values, and roles
Who are we after we remove all labels? Getting to our essence
Draft a Personal Mission Statement

Define Your Work Purpose

Ten percent is all you need to start
A lifelong practice of refinement
Draft a Work Purpose Mission Statement

Three people scribbling with large pencils

Three people looking at a life size checklist and adding to it

PLAN

Step 3: Build a Step-by-Step Plan

Planning doesn’t always sound sexy, but in this case it’s essential - and fun.

Participants first learn how career development works, how to view jobs as a fair exchange with employers, and tangible tools to help stay the course when things get challenging.

Finally, they dive into writing their own strategic career plan with step-by-step guidance to include as much actionable detail as possible. They also learn how to adapt their plan over time and to use it confidently to secure new opportunities.

LAUNCH

Step 4: Deliver Purpose

It’s time to put the plan into action! This step varies for each participant, but we continue to offer practical support including monthly group coaching calls, resume and cover letter workshops, networking tips, LinkedIn makeovers, and more.

Services