Preparing students for the complexities of the future is key; in schools, there exists a critical yet often overlooked aspect – the pursuit of purpose. The millennial generation, now a driving force in the workforce, is known for valuing purpose over profit, willing to sacrifice higher pay for a career that aligns with their values. Are we adequately preparing our students for this pursuit of purpose? Do we address it in our curriculum?

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The Millennial Quest for Purpose

It is widely accepted that millennials seek more than just a paycheck from their careers; they crave a sense of purpose and a connection to something greater than themselves. As educators, it is crucial to recognize this shift in values and equip students with the tools they need to navigate their journey towards purpose and fulfillment.

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The Missing Piece in the Curriculum Puzzle

Despite the evident importance of purpose in shaping the lives and careers of our students, it is disconcerting to note this is often absent from the curriculum.

Why It Matters

Purpose-driven individuals are more likely to be motivated, resilient, and fulfilled in their careers. By incorporating purpose into the curriculum, we not only prepare students for the workforce but also empower them to lead more meaningful lives, especially in this age of eco-anxiety and general upheaval.

Our “MAD” approach to purpose

We, at MAD, encourage students to find purpose via the concept of "Ikigai" – a Japanese term referring to the intersection of what one loves, what one is good at, what the world needs, and what one can be paid for. It literally means “a reason for being.

MAD Courses has recently crafted and launched a microlearning course about Ikigai in partnership with Deloitte to empower an initial 10,000 students and teachers to reflect on purpose. But this got us wondering: ‍

Is purpose really inclusive? Can anyone focus on their Ikigai? What about those young people who are in lower income brackets?

We may be reluctant to talk about Ikigai with students whose economic situations are not optimal, thinking: How can we ask them to “follow their passions” or “just do what you’re good at” while they may need to focus on gainful employment in order to support themselves and/or their families.

Financial constraints may limit immediate choices, but exploring Ikigai can be transformative. Understanding Ikigai helps students to identify interests and skills and empowers them to pursue holistic fulfillment, contributing to well-being and long-term success. Loving what they do increases the likelihood of long-term success, enhancing their overall financial situation.

We recently launched the course at Foundation University in the Philippines, and gathered the insights of the first 81 students to take this course:

A huge thank you to Foundation University for having us on their campus, and to Deloitte for collaborating with us to make this course happen, as part of their global #worldclass campaign.

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We're hoping it sparks more conversations and reflections around one of the most important (and yet under-valued) careers-related questions we ever get to ask ourselves!

If you are interested in exploring your Ikigai, email us at suji@madcourses.com to apply for this course.

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