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Explore Your Purpose

Through self-discovery, self-reflection, and experience, we can start to better understand who we are and where we want to be.

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What is Purpose?

Purpose means something different to all of us, but we know that it’s important.

What the Research Shows

A 2018 study found that 80 percent, or four out of five, college graduates affirm the importance of finding purpose in their work, but less than 50 percent say they succeed in finding purposeful work after graduation. Additionally, graduates with high purpose in their work are almost 10 times more likely to have high overall wellbeing. Whereas only 6% of those who have low levels of purpose in their work have high levels of overall wellbeing, fully 59% of those with high purpose in work have high wellbeing.

A Source of Energy and Motivation

Our purpose is a combination of who we are, where we’ve been, and where we’re going. It’s the thing that drives us forward and creates meaning in our day-to-day, our experiences, and our opportunities. It’s a source of energy and motivation for us. It looks different for everyone, and there’s no right or wrong answer, but there are some intentional things we can do to help us discover what purpose means to us. Through self-discovery, self-reflection, and experience, we can start to better understand who we are and where we want to be.

A Journey, Not a Destination

Maybe you know exactly what you want to do with your life and are looking to connect with more resources and opportunities to dig deeper. Maybe you’ve changed your major or are looking to change your major and you aren’t sure what to do next. Maybe you’re feeling completely lost and aren’t sure where to start. Regardless of where you are on your journey, we’re here to help.

Getting Started

Do you know what impact you want to make and you need help figuring out how to get there? Are you unsure of what direction you want to go, and you need help defining the impact you hope to have? Maybe you’re feeling lost? Do you need help finding a community of like-minded people on campus?

  1. Find Connections

    The first step to get started is to sign up for a free 45-60 minute Purpose and Fit session with a staff member from the WVU Purpose Center, and we will work together to find connections and resources to help you get on a path that excites and motivates you!

  2. Dig Deeper

    After you meet with a Purpose Center staff member, start connecting to the resources provided or attend a Purpose Center workshop to help you dig deeper.

  3. Keep Moving

    Meet with a Purpose Center staff member again. Following up on the progress you've made can help you continue to move forward and can help keep you on track if the path changes. Remember, you can meet with the Purpose Center as often as you need.

Purpose Workshops

Purpose workshops focus on a variety of topics from self-discovery and vision work to service, values, and building essential skills such as resilience, communication and conflict resolution.

Purpose Workshops for Students

Purpose workshops focus on a variety of topics from self-discovery and vision work to service, values, and building essential skills such as resilience, communication and conflict resolution.

Read More: Purpose Workshops for Students

Purpose Pods for Students

For those looking to do more self-exploration. Start with self-discovery and end with a project that helps you set goals to pursue the things they’re passionate about.

Read More: Purpose Pods for Students

Purpose Workshops for Faculty and Staff

Purpose workshops focus on a variety of topics from self-discovery and vision work to service, values, resilience, communication and wellbeing.

Read More: Purpose Workshops for Faculty and Staff

If you have specific questions about CliftonStrengths, check out our Purpose FAQs.

Purpose and Fit Request Form

Purpose and Fit Coaching sessions are free to students, faculty, staff, and alumni. These individualized sessions are focused on the needs of the person, last 45-60 minutes and can be completed in-person or virtually.

Request a Session

Cassidy Kidwell

Shady Spring, WV Multidisciplinary Studies Student

Top 5 Strengths

Individualization®, Adaptability®, Restorative®, Developer®, Arranger®

I started college as a music education major. Music has always been my passion, and I realized in high school I loved educating and helping people. It felt right at the time. As college went on, and society collectively moved out of the pandemic, it didn’t feel like the right fit anymore. I knew I still enjoyed teaching, so I switched to elementary education. When that didn’t feel right, I knew I had to do some soul-searching. The summer I switched my major for the first time was also the summer I got a New Student Orientation Leader position. As a first generation college student, seeing the inner workings of higher education fascinated me, and finally it all clicked! That was the education path I was searching for. I switched my major to multidisciplinary studies, which has allowed me to combine music, leadership studies, and women and gender studies into a major. Once I graduate, I’ll be pursuing a master’s in higher education. Though I stumbled through finding my way, the journey was valuable to me, and if I could go back, I wouldn’t change it.

Changing your life path can be terrifying. You will likely second- guess yourself again and again. My advice to you is if something doesn't feel right for you anymore and you keep dreaming of doing something else, you have to do it! Life is too short not to enjoy what you do. Many things you may be worrying about will come back to you (like money or stability) but time won’t.