Last Saturday, we wrapped up our very first session of Finding Purpose, an exciting course that encouraged learners to explore how philosophy and real-life practices can help us lead more fulfilling lives. Through personal stories and thoughtful exercises, our learners took their first steps toward discovering what truly mattered to them—setting the stage for a future filled with intention and joy.
Over the course of three weeks, learners had the opportunity to reflect on their personal struggles and aspirations, confront their limiting beliefs, and ask themselves if those beliefs are helping them grow. By being open and vulnerable with one another, learners built a warm and supportive community, cheering each other on as they navigated their journeys together.
Tracie James has been an enthusiastic participant in Saturdays in the D for quite some time now. She started her journey with us in the summer of 2023, eager to get back into the classroom and meet new people. The free course offerings at Saturdays in the D intrigued her and she’s been riding with us ever since.
Through the Finding Purpose course, Tracie discovered the importance of asking herself questions she’d never considered in the past. She really enjoyed interacting with her classmates, who brought a great mix of experiences and viewpoints to the table.
One of her biggest takeaways was realizing that her purpose doesn’t need to be tied to a specific job or a monumental moment written in history books. It can be something as simple as growing into her best self.
“People don’t realize that if you just be your authentic self and live your life in a way that makes you happy, you’ve walked in your purpose.” –Tracie James, SITD Learner
Tracie looks forward to embracing a growth mindset and finally allowing learning and self-improvement to be the lifelong endeavors they are. With hopes of staying open-minded and building resilience in the face of challenges, Tracie feels set to move forward on her journey with strength and adaptability.
This course was initially created by Dr. Vic Strecher, Professor of Health Behavior and Health Equity at the University of Michigan, and its in-person sessions were facilitated by Kush Dawar who was inspired by the motivation and dedication that the learners brought to the classroom.
“The course topic of purpose really brought the learners together and the fact that there were such diverse backgrounds involved brought fresh perspectives to the table. Each learner had a story to tell and helped others find their purpose by sharing– it even helped me find my purpose.” –Kush Dawar
It’s safe to say learner engagement exceeded Kush’s expectations. Every learner who began the course remained until the end and kept up with their Coursera coursework. Furthermore, the depth of the knowledge being brought to the table was even more inspiring.
Finding Purpose was a fantastic way to kick off the new year, helping learners feel a sense of belonging and encouraging them to reflect on their personal journeys. It reminded many that their purposes can evolve and inspire others along the way.
Wrapping Up with Key Insights
All in all, the pilot of this course has been a resounding success—not just in helping students discover their purposes, but also in building a beautiful community. This amazing group will continue to support each other in our upcoming Managing Talent course, and we’re excited to see all the great things they will achieve together beyond this program!