A 17-year-old male has just graduated high school and is looking for a job to earn money before attending college to reduce debt. He has applied to many places online and in-person with no success. He is feeling frustrated, angry, afraid, and embarrassed by his failed job search. He thinks getting a job should be easier if you are willing to work hard. The problem is that high school did not prepare him for the job market or the emotions of rejection. He would benefit from job skills training, emotional coping strategies, and exploring alternative funding options for college.

1. EmpathyMap
SAY
DO
FEEL
THINK
Problem
Need
Insight
WHO I AM

2. WHOIAM
• 17 year old male,
• Skater,
• Gamer,
• Bright,
• Intelligent,
• Just graduated High School in May,
• Great sense of humor,
• Shows a little anger towards the at the world,
• Very little impulse control,
• Would give the shirt off his back to a friend if asked (and often does),
• Enjoys rough housing with friends, Listening to dub step,
• Wants to make some money before college so he does not incur so much
debt,
• Wants to go to college in a year or so and become an anesthesiologist.

3. SAY
• “I am tired of school and just want to get a
job, save some money and then go to college
without incurring so much debt.”
• “I want to live a little before having to go to
college.”
• “I thought getting a job would be easy as I
have worked odd jobs since I was 13.”
• “I won’t take just anything though.”

4. DO
• He has looked at craigslist for employment.
• He has gone to different stores and put in
applications.
• He has put in online applications.
• He has asked friends if they knew who was
hiring.
• He worked for free at a couple of places to try
to get an in on a job by impressing them with
his work ethic and intelligence.

5. Think
• He thinks he is failing but does not know why.
• He thinks it should be easier to get a job if you
are willing to work hard.
• He thinks he needs to learn impulse control
because even if he did get a job he does not
believe he may be strong enough to save.
• He thinks he may not get the money together for
college.
• He is afraid.

6. FEEL
• He is glad to be out of school and wishes he could
spend it like a summer vacation.
• He is frustrated and angry that he has not been
able to find a job.
• He feels used by those places he worked for free
(in order to try to get a job).
• He does not understand what is going on. He is
confused by it all and that stokes his anger.
• He is afraid and embarrassed by his situation.
– He is afraid of failing
– He is now becoming afraid to try for fear of failing/
rejection.

7. Problem / Need / Insights
• Problem: A young, smart, high school graduate with limited skills but
hardworking is looking to make money to go to college.
• Need: He needs a way to develop job search and self marketing skills. He
needs an outlet for all the emotions – skills in coping. He needs to look at
alternative funding options for college if that is his ultimate goal.
• Insight: High School did not prepare this young man nor others that could
not go immediately to college for the job market and the emotional ups
and downs that can come from a job search.
– High Schools could work with the community to develop job opportunities for young
adults in this situation.
– Community and high schools could have support and mentoring programs for young
adults seeking employment straight out of high school.
– Apprenticeship programs with oversight (so they could not be abused) could be
developed by the schools and communities.
– Young adults that cannot go to college right out of high school need to be acknowledged
and given respect. Not ignored and/or put down by the community.