Approaches to Expanding Possibilities

Make sure content you use is reflective of the young people in terms of race, gender, ethnicity, age, culture, religion, sexuality, ability, etc. For example, if you are making a collage using magazine pictures, make sure the youth can see themselves in the images.

Ensure that young people are aware of multiple possibilities before they make important decisions. For example, when discussing life after high school with young people, be sure they know about and consider a wide variety of options, including two- and four-year colleges, careers, internships, apprenticeships, and trade schools. Make connections between young people’s strengths, dreams, and interests and these future opportunities.

Recommend things to watch, listen to, or read to gain exposure to new ideas, prompt consideration of different perspectives, and expand a young person’s thinking about a topic.

Ask about and listen for things that young people are curious about or like to do. When you discover such a subject or interest, encourage the young person to learn more about it. When possible, provide them with resources to engage in and build on that interest, such as clubs, classes, events, books, websites, field trips, guest speakers, or other opportunities.

Facilitate conversations and connections among young people that cross lines of difference

Bring young people to places they’ve never been to before. This can include in-person trips to destinations near or far, or virtual field trips. Take time to reflect together on what they learned through this new experience.

Introduce young people to other people or organizations who have expertise in something they want to learn or get better at. Encourage these new connections to share their stories with youth and for youth to ask questions about their experiences. Some youth may be nervous to meet new people, especially if they are older or have a role/position that could be intimidating. Rather than making an introduction and leaving the young person to connect independently, meet with the new person and the young person together so everyone feels comfortable.

When you see a talent in a young person that they might not see in themselves, let them know, “I think you might be really good at this.”

Whether it is examples from the lives of famous people or historical figures, interviewing other adults in your community, or sharing your own story, help young people see that there are many ways that an individual’s life experiences and decisions shape the journey they take in becoming adults and figuring out what they want to do in life.

Provide young people with experiences and share insights that help them understand that the things they do in the present will influence the options that they have in the future.