​​​🔎​A work purpose framework
​​Making career decisions and transitions can be challenging to navigate. Should I go deeper into design management, or explore engineering and build an app? Should I join a small start up, a mid-sized company, a large company, or an agency? 
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​​There’s lots of other articles on the subject, from the Ikigai concept in Japan to help find meaning, to designing a personal growth framework, to a simple alignment of passion, need, and ability, to these 16 considerations about potential employers. Most of these make it clear that it’s helpful to at least identify with the company’s mission, team, and culture, but how do you evaluate that?
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​​One interesting thought that’s helped me: stepping back from the idea that there really are clearly defined “Steps”, or “Progressions” in a career — maybe it’s just the “next challenge”. The idea that your life has a perfectly clear story arch can be contrived — it’s not necessarily linear.
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​​With that in mind, there’s no perfect tactic that will work for everyone; obviously only you can decide using whatever helps you personally. So this framework is just what has helped ME.

​​Framework (WIP)

​​This involves some personal exercises, research, and perhaps most importantly lots of discussions with friends / family / mentors. The steps do not have to be in this exact order. Feel free to use it however you find the activities helpful. If you’re reading this, I’d love feedback on what resonates with you, and what doesn’t.
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​​1. Individual Purpose Reflection (task/gist/personal mission)

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  • ​​Write down what I’m interested in
  • ​​e.g. “I like creating platforms for people to express themselves”
  • ​​e.g. “Anything that has to do with language. Important to me both tactically. It’s the most original form of diversity; untethering yourself from one perspective. Could help you be more creative / open. It’s almost like a super power. Editing is the closest thing I can think of like it. But I haven’t been able to do much.”
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  • ​​Reflect on WHY I am interested in these topic?
  • ​​e.g. “Because I can express myself, and what they mean to me, I can see how it helps others”
  • ​​Why developing certain skills is important to people
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  • ​​Write Down Strengths / Weaknesses
  • ​​What am I good at? What am I not as good at? What do I want to grow in? What energizes me? What does not energize me?
  • ​​Various assessments to help with this, worth checking in every 6 months as they can change depending on stage in career and cultural influences over time:
  • ​​ClassPass Values Exercises (identify 3 values, energizing moments, etc,.)
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​​2. Company Fit Reflection (culture/circumstances/environment)

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  • ​​What’s important in the job itself?
  • ​​e.g. “Place that is doing some good. Not Uber or Zynga.”
  • ​​Properties of the job that you might like
  • ​​What do i care about? What makes me happy at a job.
  • ​​Writing down things in the past that I’ve enjoyed about each job. Specific Moments.
  • ​​e.g. Can I do public speaking or writing about what I do?
  • ​​Would I feel good about the things that I would be writing about?
  • ​​Am I proud to say what I work on? Could I bring my content to talks?
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  • ​​What are the people like in general?
  • ​​Reflect on people you would like to work with? Why?
  • ​​Reflect on people you would NOT like to work with? Why?
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  • ​​Career path / mentorship + support
  • ​​e.g. Do I want to manage again?
  • ​​e.g. Mobility within the company
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  • ​​Benefits / Comp / Etc
  • ​​Future life planning, meals, travels…