Zooming In on the Heart Behind Major Choice with Ed Goyette

Sep 19

Melissa Milner introduces the seventh season of the Teacher as Podcast, expressing excitement about the growth in listeners.
Melissa mentions the Career Mentorship Program, Major Choice, as a new sponsor and encourages listeners to rate the podcast on Apple Podcasts.
Melissa shares her previous episode on Major Choice, highlighting its benefits for educators and students.
Ed Goyette, one of the co-founders of Major Choice, is introduced to discuss the program in detail.

Ed Goyette explains that Major Choice is a 12 to 15-week online career exploration program for young people with disabilities.
The program helps students with autism and various disabilities find their purpose and direction, building crucial soft skills.
Mentors work with students one-on-one, allowing them to make a significant impact without the pressures of the school system.
Ed reassures that mentors do not need to be special education teachers; Major Choice provides all necessary training.

Ed Goyette and his partner, Brad Duquette, developed Major Choice during the pandemic to address the issue of students choosing colleges without career guidance.
They aimed to solve the problem of students wasting money on degrees that do not match their future careers.
The program was initially designed for the general population but later adapted to support students with disabilities.
A pivotal moment came when they successfully mentored a young man with autism, leading to a career in low voltage electricity.

Northeast Arc, a nonprofit, approached Major Choice to help a young man with autism.
The young man, initially unsuccessful in other career exploration programs, found success with Major Choice.
Ed and Brad realized the program's granular nature and personalized approach were ideal for students with disabilities.
The program provides a deep exploration of students' interests and abilities, unlike traditional career exploration programs.

Ed and Brad spent months developing the curriculum, focusing on self-exploration and career-related questions.
They emphasized the importance of knowing oneself and asked granular questions to help students understand their strengths and challenges.
The program is designed to be accessible and intuitive for students, especially those with disabilities.
The curriculum combines various components in a way that supercharges their effectiveness, especially with the mentorship component.

Major Choice has graduated over 200 students, with a high completion rate and positive feedback from students and their supporters.
The program aims to expand nationally, with ongoing efforts to deepen and improve the curriculum.
Ed and Brad are committed to changing lives and making a significant impact, aiming to reach more students across the country.
The program's success has garnered interest from other states, and they are constantly seeking new partnerships and volunteers.

Ed encourages educators to become mentors through the Major Choice website, emphasizing the need for dedicated individuals.
The program offers a unique opportunity for educators to make a significant impact on students' lives without the challenges of the traditional school system.
Volunteers are also needed to conduct informational interviews with students, providing valuable real-world insights.
Ed highlights the importance of the program's heart-based approach and the positive impact it has on students and their families.

Melissa Milner thanks Ed for sharing the story of Major Choice and its impact on students.
Ed expresses his gratitude for the opportunity to discuss the program and its mission.
The conversation concludes with a reminder of the podcast's sponsorship by Major Choice and an invitation for listeners to get involved.
Melissa provides information on how to reach her and where to find resources related to the podcast and Major Choice.

Melissa Milner

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