Complementing our study of leading professionals, we have undertaken a second line of study that involves budding young professionals.
- From 1997-2003, we interviewed more than 100 young professionals in training: students in elementary and secondary schools, ranging in age from 10 to 18 years old. These students were involved with various areas of work, including: journalism, science, theater, music, community service, gymnastics, and skating. The primary focus of this research was to understand the meaning of work for young people who are particularly committed to an activity or professional area that they consider to be their “calling.”
- From 1998-2002, we also interviewed more than 100 individuals in graduate school and in the first few years of their careers to understand their early perspectives on the “world of work.” These individuals ranged in age from 21 to 35 years old and were involved with several professional areas, including: journalism, genetics, theater, business, social entrepreneurship, medicine, and public health.
The interviews with the young professionals involved with journalism, genetics, and theater were the basis for one of the Project’s books, Making Good. The findings reported in this book led to the development of The GoodWork® Toolkit, a set of materials designed to help students and professionals talk about the tensions and challenges involved with carrying out “good work.”
