Table 2.
Graduate counseling students' experiences of developing purpose.
| Theme | Sub-themes | Descriptive Codes |
|---|---|---|
| Perception of Purpose | Describing their purpose | Helping others |
| Making a difference | ||
| Causing an impact | ||
| The purpose of others | Everyone has a purpose | |
| Purpose is the same for everyone vs. Purpose is different for everyone | ||
| Purpose as part of something bigger | The Universe | |
| God | ||
| A calling | ||
| “Meant to be” | ||
| Purpose linked to career | Purpose associated with career choices | |
| Difficulty talking about purpose | Difficulty articulating thoughts | |
| Purpose rarely talked about/reflected on | ||
| Awakening to Purpose | Experiences | Life Experiences |
| School Experiences | ||
| Work Experiences | ||
| The Self | Self-realization | |
| Self-reflection | ||
| Self-care | ||
| Self-awareness | ||
| Factors that Influence Purpose | Internal Influence | Fulfillment |
| Spiritual and Religious Beliefs | ||
| Following own will | ||
| External Influence | Family influence | |
| Mentor influence | ||
| Transformation of Purpose | How Purpose Changes | Purpose can change with time vs. |
| Purpose cannot change with time | ||
| What Changes Purpose | Life experiences | |
| Family growth/change | ||
| Counselors' and Educators' Responsibility in Fostering Purpose | Awareness of Purpose | Counselors must be aware of their purpose |
| Counseling Techniques | Building relationships | |
| Listening | ||
| Being Present | ||
| Encouragement/support | ||
| Promoting Purpose in Educational Institutions | Classroom curriculum | |
| Career workshops | ||
| Hands-on experience |