How might you listen to youth experience as a way to inform program design and practices?
At Convergence Design Lab, we aim to build resilient learning ecosystems. But for many program leaders, enhancing learning can feel like navigating a dense jungle. One guiding question can help clear the path: How might you listen to youth experience to inform program design and practices?
Listening to youth experience goes beyond just hearing their voices. It involves observing what young people are doing, saying, thinking, and feeling in your program. This approach guided our work with Urban Alliance (UA), an organization running high school internship programs in five cities. Despite their success, UA sought to strengthen learning within their program.
We began with interviews and focus groups with youth interns, staff, and job mentors, and observed workshops. This comprehensive review provided a nuanced understanding of young people's experiences. One key insight emerged: mentorship was central to the interns' growth. The real-world context and supportive relationships with mentors allowed interns to build skills, join a community, and cultivate a network—opportunities hard to find elsewhere.
Another critical aspect was agency. UA youth interns had significant autonomy in navigating work contexts, but there was a gap in how they articulated their skill development. This led to the Skills Transparency Project, where interns documented their skills, creating portfolios of experience and evidence. This empowered them to confidently discuss their skills in future college and career opportunities.
To support this, we developed a mentor toolbox with conversation tools, training modules, and a resource hub, tailored to regional needs. This ensured all elements of the ecosystem worked in harmony.
Applying a learner-experience lens helps connect program design elements directly to youth growth. By asking, "What is this program element doing for the learner?" you can guide your efforts effectively. Listening to youth experience provides that clear path forward so you can truly see the forest through the trees and strengthen your learning program.
Our flexible and client-centered approach ensures that the final outcome is perfectly tailored to meet your organization’s unique vision of success.
