In the last article, we explored the why of NGA. In this post, we dive deeper into how. Along it, we also share video testimonials from Charlie Sandefer, an Eagle that graduated from Acton Austin in 2020.

It seems tempting to nail an NGA right away. Some lucky ones will be fortunate enough to do this early on in their life. They have discovered their Calling early on in life, and it is the single thing they are pursuing. There is no doubt, no hesitation, and no change in course.

For example, a young man grew up dreaming of being a vet and working with animals. He grew up with several pets and always rescued and helped animals in need. He admires vets and aspires to be one. Oh, there is also the dream of working with David Attenborough and Orangutans. The NGA process works by etching that path further and adding clarity by finding a deeper niche. Which opportunities are more appealing? A vet specialized in exotic animals in Kuala Lumpur? A vet in Singapore’s Wildlife Rescue team? An expert in the Sepilok Orangutan Rehabilitation Centre? Or an editor of the BBC Wildlife team (note: this is not veterinary work)?

It is valid to be skeptical that a 14-year-old has the perspective to dive into NGA. But let us put it into the context of Acton Academy’s earlier years. The Preschool Studio (4–7 years old) consists of play and developing learning foundations. The Elementary Studio (7–11 years old) is one of exploration and curiosity, burgeoning self-awareness and responsibility. They take responsibility for their learning through goal setting and peer accountability. They develop perspective through Socratic discussions. The Middle School (11–14 years old) adds rigor and depth. They take on apprenticeships and real-world projects. By 14-years-old, a veteran Middle School Eagle has more than 200 hours of apprenticeship work. They have spent years practicing self-awareness, clarity of thinking, and practical research. They are ready.

The NGA process is a dance between the Searching, Exploring, and Committed Statuses. Sometimes, one can find that NGA right away. Often, the process involves going back and forth between the three.

Let’s dive into the starting point of the NGA: Searching.

Searching

The NGA journey begins with exercises around personality, strengths, and interests. The goal—generate a list of specific career positions or other life missions as a starting point. Then, you shortlist relevant credentials, industries, and companies with those positions. Next, you reflect on the opportunities and injustices. Finally, you put a stake in the ground by declaring either one industry or domain, company or culture, or a superpower skill.

Here are two examples:

The next step involves listing the action steps to get into individual jobs. At this stage, everything is still within the comfort of your chair. You research online and reflect on experiences. You discuss with family, friends, and studio mates for perspective. You make some decisions. It takes at least twenty hours if one is doing it for the first time.

You cross from Searching to Exploring through the Clearness Committee. It is a process of discernment to reach clarity by asking open, honest questions.

**NGA Video Part 1: Crossing the Threshold.** Charlie sharing his feeling on crossing the threshold, right before entering into college (Aeronautical Engineering in Georgia Tech)

Exploring

Once you have attained clarity from the Clearness Committee, you start taking the action steps. The goal is obviously to take action and do it wholeheartedly. And then ask—am I willing to commit to this NGA further?

The list of actions can include:

Apprenticeships
Stars & Stepping Stone Interviews
Deliberate Practice: honing a specific skill, such as video editing or photography, that is relevant to the NGA.
Deep Books: picking a biography or industry-related book.
Credentials. Start looking into certificates, college applications, and other credentials.
Freelancing: for example, finding freelance work on Upwork or Fiverr.
Portfolio Project: a capstone project.
Mentor-Guide relationships. Usually followed through a Stars & Stepping stone interview. A multi-week interaction for feedback & conversations. You can pair these relationships with apprenticeships, portfolio projects, or other actions above.

The process of each action above is the same.

Step 1. Securing the opportunity and pitching it to the Studio Tribe.
Step 2. Executing it, documenting the learnings, and collecting relevant feedback.
Step 3. Closing the experience with a reflection.
Step 4. Ask: Am I willing to commit to this NGA further? Do I continue exploring this path or reset to Searching?

The exploration might lead to modifications in the NGA. Or more clarity, confidence, and commitment. Or something far more creative. A path that combines different passions into a unique “bend your career” path.

Steven Tomlinson TED talk on choose your own adventure. He shared the idea that one can bend your career by integrating different paths.

After many rounds of exploration, the Committed Status becomes evident.

Committed

The work of the Committed Status in NGA is no different from that of the Exploring Status. But it is deeper, with a clear plan which leads to the NGA outside Acton.

Committing might sound like having faith and confidence in a chosen path. For Acton, we prove it through action. We ask for 250 hours of NGA work for an Eagle to declare the Committed Status. The 250 hours often mean 80 hours of apprenticeship and at least five deep dive activities. One of them includes committing to a deliberate practice to master specific skills leading to the NGA.

**NGA Video Part 3: Road of Trials.** Charlie shares the apprenticeship experiences and deliberate practices that leads to his NGA.

At this stage, we recommend making modifications to the individual’s Quest and Learning Plans. For example, in the Restaurant Review genre, Eagles choose their restaurants according to their NGA. Scientific-inclined Eagles can choose a molecular gastronomy restaurant. Meanwhile, design-inclined Eagles can choose restaurants known for their great décor and setting. Or some might choose to opt-out and replace it with another NGA work.

The goal is to align as many parts of the Acton Launchpad experience to the NGA.

Final Words

Here is a secret. There is a higher, unseen goal. That goal is to turn these processes into tools for life, to go from one NGA to the next. Imagine an internal compass to navigate life’s adventures with clarity, purpose and principles. The final goal—a meaningful, well-lived, fulfilling life.

But how about college? Where does NGA fit in with that? Or is it the other way around (meaning: fitting NGA within a college plan)? We will dive deeper into College in the next post.