1. THE PROBLEM STATEMENT
Ruth is 17 years old and going into grade 12. She
wants to study and work in youth development, but is
unsure what aspect is best for her.
Unlike many of her friends, Ruth doesn’t want to take
a gap year. How can Ruth take a break and find a
way to explore herself, her own motivations and
career needs without taking a break from her
studies?
Work experience
Practical working
year
School / collegeExploratory travel

2. WORK EXPERIENCE
- Spend a year volunteering with an organization to explore different aspects of
career choice
- Volunteer abroad with aid or similar agency focusing on youth development
- Join local youth driven program where she has an opportunity to explore her core
personal values
- Use design thinking approach to construct a year based on the five stages, using
each stage to learn more about herself and her interests

3. PRACTICAL WORKING YEAR
- Take a year and work in an unrelated area to gain practical work skills
- Join family’s business to learn the different areas of running a successful
organization
- Choose non-related job/volunteer position to test how she feels about chosen
career once she has practical work experience and earned salary

4. SCHOOL / COLLEGE OPTIONS
- Attend college to undertake short courses in a range of related subjects
- Take a few randomly selected courses to explore interests and values
- Commence undergrad program so as to gain credits - with an option to switch/
change and the path reveals itself
- Part-time degree course with volunteering
- Part-time degree or short courses with salary earning day job

5. EXPLORATORY TRAVEL
- Use gap year to travel to places where youth development is important – to
observe, study and speak with those involved
- Take short holiday (2-3 months) and then commence degree program or work
experience options

6. THREE PREFERRED IDEAS
Use design thinking approach to construct a year based on the five stages, using each stage to learn more about herself and
her interests
This idea stems from the DT principle itself. Ruth is unsure of the best approach to her career. Therefore, why not use the five stages of
design thinking methodology to construct a year in which Ruth moves from uncertainty to surety and decision. The empathy part is
already done as she and I worked on the EM and both agreed it was good refection of her current state. Ideating would allow her to
come up with a variety of options from which she could prototype. She could involve her parents, friends, career counselor to develop a
robust and exciting year. She also has time to shop this around by way of testing and analysing its applicability to ascertain: (1) is this
desirable by others who she would need to work for or with, (2) is it feasible and (3) is it financially viable.
Part-time degree or short courses with salary earning day job
This option, while not the most innovative, addresses several of Ruth’s goals and concerns. She can study and therefore advance her
learning, while also getting real work experience. This approach has many advantages – with her practical experience – she will be
better able to critically examine her studies. She will also be able to experiment wand explore the practical application of her studies.
The combination should also give her a strong resume once she begins looking for full-time work.
Use gap year to travel to places where youth development is important – to observe, study and speak with those involved
This option allows Ruth to take the gap year she wants but is afraid to take because of how she perceives it will affect her work
discipline. By orienting her travels around her career interest, Ruth will benefit from a focused year of travel (as opposed to the arbitrary
nature of most gap year travels). She will gain insight into youth development issues and practices from a range of places. She may
choose to focus on a geographic area, or spread her travels more across the globe. Ruth could also use this approach to volunteer with
youth development agencies in other countries or territories thus gaining a truly global exposure to her career passion – all the while
exploring her own motivations, values and desires. Christopher Hiitchins once mentioned that to gain something in life, you first need to
give. This approach fulfills this, and is an approach Ruth would be devoted to pursuing.