Tell me, what is it you plan to do
with your one wild and precious life?
                                                           - Mary Oliver

Career Programs for Teens and Young Adults.

Many teens are at a loss when it comes time to make choices for their lives beyond high school.  They may have performed well academically in school, but often lack the insight required to choose a career or educational path that truly speaks to their interests, talents, and skills. This can mean years of struggle at college and beyond.

As a career coach and veteran teen counselor I help young people  identify meaningful, fulfilling, and prosperous career paths that allow them to contribute their best to society.  To that end I offer the following programs and services:

                       
                                     CareerLAB: discover work you love

CareerLAB is a dynamic program that provides teens and young adults with the resources, support and self-knowledge they need to make choices about their future career path from the inside out. Through presentations, exercises, group discussions and creative assignments CareerLAB participants will:

• Discover their core passions, talents and related career dreams
• Envision the impact they want to have in the world
• Act on insights gained by setting and completing related goals
• Receive support and encouragement from peers who share their aspirations and challenges
• Gain self-confidence, self-esteem, and a positive assessment of their own abilities
• Identify compatible career paths and craft a plan for their future

CareerLAB is available as an after school program or a weekend workshop, and can be customized to meet the needs of your organization or group.

“Incredibly insightful and thought provoking.  I learned so much about myself and my peers…Hearing people’s own hopes and dreams helped me find mine in a way I wouldn’t have expected."
                                                                         - high school student

“I found everything I needed to look into my future.”
                                                                           high school student

                       
                                 From Passion to Purpose:
                                 Finding the Career Path that fits YOU

Many Indigenous Peoples believe that each of us is born with a mission that meets the pressing needs of the world.  They tell us that the path to our purpose or mission is announced by our passions, those interests and activities that make us feel most alive.  Relatedly, recent studies in the field of career development suggest that employees who find meaning and purpose in the work derive greater satisfaction from their careers and are likely to achieve greater success.  Through stories, discussion, and exercises we explore these perspectives, identify our own passions and the values they encompass, and apply insights gained to our career and college search process.  This program for schools and groups covers key aspects of the CareerLAB curriculum and is available as a single presentation or as a series.

“The presentation really helped me make connections between my talents and passions and to see clearly the different options I have for my future.  It was pretty awesome.”
                                                                                                                        - high school student


                                         Individual Career Coaching for Teens

Individual Career Coaching offers an opportunity for teens and young adults to explore the rich material presented in CareerLAB on a one-to-one basis and to gain more focused assistance.  Conducted over the phone, this program includes eight to ten hour-long sessions, study materials, and assignments between sessions.


Hear what teachers are saying:

"It is difficult for a young person going into the world to know exactly what they want to do.  James' approach to looking at oneself holistically helped my students really gain a deeper perspective on themselves and how they might fit into the world.  By using the idea of passion and compassion and asking them to do some self-evaluation I was really amazed at how students gained a clearer, more confident idea of their potential, and most important, their purpose."

                                     - Patty Mooney, Teacher, Saugerties High School

“James Porter provided a powerful workshop to the Kingston High School community.  Participants were able to find ways to plan for their future through the identification and exploration of personal interests combined with life skills that could lead to a future of professional and personal fulfillment.  Mr. Porter demonstrated effective methods....and provided valuable food for thought about the path ahead.”

              - Deborah Zale, Coordinator, WOW Program, Kingston High School