Life Design
Life Design at UD and Beyond
From Blue Hens to Bold Paths
Life Design is a powerful approach that helps individuals create a fulfilling and purpose-driven life. This effective approach to career and professional development is the primary framework used at the UD Career Center. The Life Design framework is based on the principles of design thinking, a creative problem-solving process that encourages experimentation and iteration. You are encouraged to embrace curiosity, take action, reframe challenges, cultivate self-awareness and build a strong support network. Whether through Canvas, career appointments or interacting with our various platforms (like Handshake), you will be supported and able to access resources to help you along the way.
Life Design Framework
Accept
Life Design begins with acknowledging and embracing the here and now.
Recognize that career aspirations might change based on new experiences or information. Be open to alternative perspectives that allow for more positive and constructive thinking. Adopt a growth mindset so that you can approach challenges as opportunities for learning and growth and foster resilience.
Empathize
It is important to understand oneself and others. This involves empathizing with one's own experiences, desires and challenges, as well as considering the perspectives of those around you.
Knowing yourself
Understanding yourself is key to making the right decisions in your career development. Consider the following questions:
- What types of job-related tasks would I enjoy doing?
- What values are important to me and how do they impact my career options?
- Where do my natural strengths lie and how can I apply them to my work?
- Are there aspects of my personality that lend themselves well to particular types of careers over others?
Define
Clearly articulate the problem or challenge. In life design, this might involve identifying areas of dissatisfaction or exploring personal and professional aspirations.
Where are you now?
Career exploration as a process exists at all levels, regardless of your major. When you think of your own career journey, consider this:
- Where are you now?
- Do you know what future companies, internships or full-time jobs are most appealing to you?
It's important to pinpoint where you are in your current career development so you can begin to design an appropriate action plan to address your needs and move forward.
Ideate
Generate a wide range of possible solutions or life paths. This encourages creative thinking and exploration of different possibilities.
Exploring industries and career paths
The UD Career Center organizes resources by UD College based on different industry areas you might be interested in. These include:
Prototyping and Experimentation
Life Design involves actively experimenting with different aspects of one's life. This can include trying out new activities, pursuing diverse experiences and gaining insights through hands-on experimentation.
Talk to professionals, experiment and try new things
Learn what careers are out there. Connect with professionals in various fields. Conduct informational interviews to gain first-hand insights into different careers and industries.
Explore different roles and industries through internships, part-time jobs, volunteering or shadowing professionals. These experiences can provide valuable insights and help refine their ideas about potential career paths.
Test
Life Design encourages intentional decision-making based on one's values, interests and aspirations. This involves making choices that align with a person's authentic self rather than following predefined societal or external expectations.
Life is an ongoing, iterative process. As you gain new experiences and insights, you will continually refine and adjust your Life Design to better align with your evolving goals and values.
Life Design Mindsets
Curiosity
Curiosity is essential for creating the life you envision. Ask questions and explore new possibilities.
Bias to Action
Try stuff, focusing on the next step and not the final outcome. Turn your ideas into action.
Reframing
Learn different way at viewing a problem to help you get unstuck.
Mindfulness of the Process
Your life and career are journeys, not destinations. Let go of the end goal and immerse yourself in the process, allowing the next step to unfold naturally.
Radical Collaboration
Ask for directions. Progress is achieved through collective effort, consultation and collaboration.
Storytelling
Communicate your experience to connect the dots in your life. Learn by listening to others.
Generative AI tips for Life Design
Life Design
Visioning and Goal Setting
- Prompt: "Design a five-year roadmap for someone who wants to become a public health analyst, loves research and values community service."
Personal Development Planning
- Prompt: "Create a learning plan for someone who wants to become a UX designer with a visual learning style and an interest in accessibility."
The UD Career Center is part of the Division of Student Life, which advances equity and inclusion, deepens student learning and drives holistic development through education, experiences and communities.
