Purpose Discovery Gap Year Internship Incubator

# Purpose Discovery Gap Year Internship Incubator
## 100% Remote | 100% Flexible | Purpose-Driven
For students and professionals of all levels (high school, college, grad school, career transitions)

### Program Overview
The Voice Up Purpose Discovery Gap Year Incubator offers a revolutionary approach to the traditional gap year. This 12-month, fully remote program connects participants to their purpose through hands-on projects, mentorship, and collaborative learning experiences across Voice Up's diverse initiatives. Unlike conventional gap year programs that require rigid scheduling or geographic relocation, our incubator adapts to your life with complete flexibility while providing the structure, community, and purpose-driven experiences needed for transformative growth.

### Program Highlights
- **100% Remote Participation**: Engage from anywhere with internet access
- **100% Flexible Scheduling**: Design your own weekly commitment around your schedule
- **Weekly Team Planning Sessions**: Collaborate with peers during weekend planning sessions
- **Personal Mentorship**: Receive weekly 1:1 coaching/mentorship sessions
- **Real-World Impact**: Work on meaningful projects with measurable community impact
- **Flexible Payment Model**: $125 per week with the freedom to start or pause at any time
- **Purpose Discovery Framework**: Structured approach to identifying and developing your unique purpose
- **Global Community**: Connect with purpose-driven peers from diverse backgrounds worldwide

### Core Principles
All Voice Up Gap Year Incubator experiences are guided by our five foundational principles:
- **Collaboration**: Building meaningful connections across geographical and cultural boundaries
- **Humility**: Maintaining a growth mindset and openness to learning from others
- **Precision**: Developing attention to detail and excellence in implementation
- **Patience**: Cultivating resilience and long-term thinking in pursuit of meaningful goals
- **Empathy**: Understanding diverse perspectives and building bridges across differences

### 12-Month Program Structure
Our incubator follows a dynamic project rotation model, allowing participants to experience all aspects of Voice Up's work while discovering their own strengths and passions. Each month introduces a new focus area while building on previous experiences.

#### Month 1: Orientation & Purpose Discovery
- Assessment of personal strengths, interests, and values
- Introduction to Voice Up's core principles and methodologies
- Development of individual purpose statement and growth goals
- Integration into the Voice Up community and collaborative framework
- Participation in initial weekend planning sessions and mentor matching

#### Month 2: Mental Health & Behavioral Wellness
- Engagement with Voice Up's mental health awareness initiatives
- Learning mental health vocabulary through storytelling techniques
- Contributing to projects addressing loneliness and social disconnection
- Exploring the connection between purpose discovery and wellbeing
- Developing communication skills for discussing mental health topics

#### Month 3: Digital Publishing & Storytelling
- Contributing to "Make The Difference" global publication
- Developing authentic storytelling skills for purpose-driven content
- Learning basic digital publishing and multimedia content creation
- Exploring how personal narratives can reduce stigma and build connection
- Creating personal and community stories that inspire positive action

#### Month 4: Education & Curriculum Development
- Assisting with Voice Up's educational initiatives and curriculum design
- Contributing to K-12 educational materials including sustainability projects
- Exploring creative approaches to learning through arts integration
- Developing content for Voice Up University's purpose-focused curriculum
- Learning project-based approaches to education and skill development

#### Month 5: Technical Skills Development
- Introduction to programming foundations with Voice Up's technical program
- Participating in personalized learning sessions with technical educators
- Developing practical digital skills connected to purpose-driven projects
- Creating technology solutions for community challenges
- Building portfolio-worthy technical projects with social impact

#### Month 6: Leadership Development & Coaching
- Deepening understanding of Voice Up's protective leadership model
- Developing personal leadership philosophy and practical application
- Leading collaborative weekend sessions with peer groups
- Refining coaching and mentorship skills through guided practice
- Creating leadership development resources for future participants

#### Month 7: Athletics & Holistic Wellness
- Engaging with Voice Up's athlete-focused initiatives
- Exploring the connection between physical and mental wellbeing
- Developing programs that connect athletic abilities with purpose
- Creating resources for coaches and athletic programs
- Building personal wellness practices for sustainable impact

#### Month 8: Community Building & Partnership Development
- Learning effective approaches to partnership building and collaboration
- Assisting with Voice Up's community outreach and relationship development
- Creating frameworks for assessing community needs and resources
- Developing proposals for new community-based initiatives
- Building skills in stakeholder engagement and collaborative leadership

#### Month 9: Research & Impact Assessment
- Participating in Voice Up's research initiatives
- Learning approaches to measuring program impact and outcomes
- Developing research questions related to purpose discovery
- Creating assessment tools for Voice Up's various initiatives
- Contributing to evidence-based program refinement

#### Month 10: Faith-Based Initiatives (Optional/Alternative Focus Available)
- Engaging with Voice Up's non-traditional approach to faith-based service
- Exploring the connection between spiritual growth and purpose discovery
- Contributing to inclusive faith community development
- Creating resources for faith-based recovery and support
- Developing innovative approaches to spiritual growth and community building

*Alternative focus available for participants who prefer secular projects*

#### Month 11: Entrepreneurship & Career Pathways
- Developing entrepreneurial mindset and skillset
- Exploring purpose-aligned career opportunities
- Creating personal career development strategy
- Building professional portfolio showcasing gap year accomplishments
- Connecting with Voice Up's professional network and mentors

#### Month 12: Integration & Launch
- Synthesizing learning from all previous project areas
- Finalizing personal purpose statement and implementation plan
- Creating comprehensive portfolio of gap year accomplishments
- Developing transition plan for next educational or professional steps
- Contributing to program improvement for future participants

### Weekly Structure
While completely flexible to accommodate your schedule, a typical week in the Voice Up Gap Year Incubator includes:

- **Weekend Team Planning (2 hours)**: Collaborative session with your cohort and Voice Up mentors to set goals, share progress, and refine project approaches.
- **1:1 Coaching Session (1 hour)**: Personalized mentorship focused on your individual growth, purpose discovery, and project challenges.
- **Independent Project Work (7-12 hours)**: Flexible hours dedicated to your current project focus, completed on your own schedule.
- **Learning Resources & Skill Development (Optional)**: Self-paced materials to build specific skills related to your projects and personal goals.
- **Peer Collaboration (Optional)**: Informal connection opportunities with fellow participants working on similar initiatives.

### Program Costs & Flexibility
- **Weekly Rate**: $125 (approximately $500 per month at full participation)
- **Flexible Engagement**: Start or pause at any time based on your needs
- **Inclusive Package**: All mentorship, materials, and program resources included
- **Pro-Rated Model**: Pay only for the weeks you actively participate
- **Scholarship Opportunities**: Available based on need and program availability

### Three Ways to Participate
All team members have the opportunity to progress towards a paid stipend as their ideas are refined and developed including the option to progress to the level of independent contactor for Voice Up sponsored for a period of 6 months to 12 months paid an hourly rate of $20 to $30 for a maximum of 15 hours per week per academic semester.

1. **Volunteer Track:** Contribute your talents while building valuable leadership experience and expanding your network. Perfect for those seeking to make an impact alongside other commitments.

2. **Academic Credit:** Earn credit at your institution while leading real-world change. We'll work with your school's specific requirements to ensure the experience meets academic guidelines.

3. **Paid Fellowship:** Selected candidates with strong social impact project proposals may receive stipends of $500-$750 monthly. These opportunities are secured case-by-case through partnerships between Voice Up and potential sponsors. Requires commitment to a 3-4 month specific project.

**All options include:**
- 100% remote, 100% flexible scheduling
- 5-10 hours weekly commitment
- Full mentorship and leadership development
- No minimum semester requirement

### Benefits of Voice Up's Gap Year Incubator

#### For Students Between High School and College:
- Develop clarity about educational and career direction
- Build valuable skills and experiences for college applications
- Create meaningful relationships with mentors and peers
- Explore diverse fields before committing to a major
- Build confidence and independence in a supportive environment

#### For Recent College Graduates:
- Gain practical experience across multiple professional domains
- Build a professional portfolio demonstrating real-world impact
- Develop entrepreneurial mindset and project management skills
- Create meaningful professional connections and references
- Clarify career direction and purpose alignment

#### For Career Changers and Life Transitioners:
- Explore new fields and professional pathways
- Build transferable skills applicable across sectors
- Develop purpose-aligned approach to work and life
- Create meaningful connections with diverse professionals
- Test potential career directions through practical projects

### How to Apply

Send to info@voiceup.life 
1. Submit brief statement of interest describing your current purpose exploration
2. Provide three character references
3. Complete initial conversation with Voice Up team member
4. Select start date and initial project focus

*No admissions tests required - just a passion for purpose and commitment to positive impact*

### Ready to Discover Your Purpose?
Join the Voice Up Purpose Discovery Gap Year Incubator and transform your gap year into a journey of meaning, connection, and impact. Our flexible, remote model adapts to your life while providing the structure, community, and purpose-driven experiences needed for transformative growth.

For more information, visit voiceuplife.life or email purposediscovery@voiceup.org