Pathways of Purpose

Pathways of Purpose: How Faculty Can Use This Resource in Courses & Advising

Pathways of Purpose was originally created for a 1st–2nd-year retreat focused on vocation, belonging, and early career exploration. It offers a structured way for students to reflect on who they are becoming, how they connect to community, and how their academic choices link to purpose and future pathways.

Faculty can adapt sections of this resource to support learning outcomes related to reflection, identity development, academic exploration, storytelling, or career readiness, whether in class, advising, or co-curricular experiences.

Below is a brief guide to the resource and how faculty might integrate or request an adapted version.

What the Activity Does

Pathways of Purpose helps students:

  • Reflect on their story, strengths, and emerging sense of purpose
  • Build faculty, peer, and alumni connections that support belonging
  • Understand how vocation, academics, and career exploration intersect
  • Identify actionable steps for growth and engagement at St. Thomas

The content is modular—each section can stand alone or be integrated into an assignment, discussion, or workshop.

How Faculty Can Use or Adapt This Activity

Reflection & Storytelling (Identity, Meaning, Mission)

This section encourages journaling, personal narrative, and values exploration.
Possible uses in courses:

  • Short reflective prompts tied to major exploration or course themes
  • Storytelling activities in first-year sessions or writing courses
  • A values reflection tied to program mission, ethics, or personal growth
  • Mentoring assignments using St. Thomas Connect

Community & Belonging (First-Year Experience, Retention, Student Support)

This part focuses on building peer networks and connecting with faculty and staff.
Faculty integration ideas:

  • A “meet a mentor” or office-hours challenge in weeks 1–3
  • Reflection on belonging in discipline-specific contexts
  • Encouraging organization involvement relevant to the major
  • Partnering with SDIS, Campus Ministry, or clubs for shared programming

Career & Vocation Exploration (Career Ready Assignments)

This portion connects purpose to academic pathways and career resources.
Ways to use in courses:

  • Integrate a PathwayU assignment early in the semester
  • Add a required or optional career coaching visit
  • Include a resume, LinkedIn, or networking assignment through Handshake
  • Build career treks, employer panels, or alumni engagements into class
  • Encourage research, internships, or volunteering as vocational exploration

Discernment & Big Questions (Philosophy, Theology, Social Sciences, Leadership)

This section guides students to think about calling, service, and meaning.
Examples of course alignment:

  • “Big questions” journal entries or discussion boards
  • A class dialogue on service, justice, and community impact
  • Incorporating CAPS or Dean of Students resources into wellness modules
  • Linking academic content to real-world purpose and contribution

Setting Intentions & Next Steps (Goal Setting, Coaching, Action Planning)

The final section invites students to name concrete steps and find accountability.
Faculty options:

  • End-of-unit or end-of-semester action plans
  • Peer accountability partnerships for semester goals
  • “Win wall” or “small victories” boards to track progress
  • Advising conversations framed around next steps and strengths

How Faculty Can Request Support

Faculty are welcome to:

  • Use the activity as-is in whole or in part
  • Ask for a tailored version aligned to their course, major, or departmental goals
  • Collaborate on a class workshop involving vocation, belonging, strengths, or career development
  • Embed a shortened module in Canvas (e.g., reflections, PathwayU, Big Interview, values exercises)

Summary for Faculty

Pathways of Purpose is a flexible, student-centered resource that supports early major exploration, belonging, identity formation, and vocational discernment. Faculty can adopt specific exercises, integrate career readiness touchpoints, or collaborate with the Career Development Center to create a customized version for their course or for departmental use.

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