What you will learn in Finding Purpose and Meaning In Life Course
- Evidence-based frameworks for purpose discovery
- Values identification and alignment techniques
- Legacy building strategies
- Meaning-making in work and relationships
- Resilience through purpose cultivation
- Societal contribution pathways
- Overcoming existential obstacles
Program Overview
Purpose Foundations
⏱️ 2 weeks
- Explores psychological research on life satisfaction, mortality awareness, and self-concept clarity.
- Includes values assessment exercises.
Meaning in Work
⏱️ 2 weeks
- Examines job crafting, career alignment, and workplace contribution.
- Features case studies of purpose-driven professionals.
Relational Meaning
⏱️ 2 weeks
- Covers family legacy, friendship depth, and community impact.
- Includes social network analysis activities.
Sustaining Purpose
⏱️ 2 weeks
- Teaches resilience practices, habit formation, and adaptive mindset techniques.
- Features life narrative exercises.
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Job Outlook
- Professional value: Universal across industries
- Salary potential: Leadership skills correlate with 20-30% higher compensation
- Industry demand: Top skill sought by employers
- Certification benefit: Wharton credential recognition
Specification: Finding Purpose and Meaning In Life: Living for What Matters Most
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FAQs
- Understand why having a strong purpose is essential for human well-being.
- Learn how a self-transcending purpose positively impacts mental health and fulfillment.
- Discover how to create a personal purpose aligned with what matters most to you.
- Develop daily practices to stay connected to your purpose and facilitate personal growth.
- Comprised of 4 modules:
- What Is a Purpose in Life? (14 videos, 5 readings, 1 assignment)
- How Purpose Organizes Our Lives
- How Purpose Changes Our Lives
- How Purposes Work in Real Life
- Recommended pace is 1 week at 10 hours per week, though it’s fully self-paced.
- Some learners complete the course in about 11 hours total, suitable for a 3-week schedule at ~3 hours per week.
- Taught by Vic Strecher, a faculty member at the University of Michigan focused on health and purpose.
- The course integrates insights from science, philosophy, and real-life examples, offering a holistic approach to meaning.
- Highly rated—approximately 4.8 out of 5, with nearly 275,000 learners enrolled and 97% positive reviews.
- Yes—you can earn a shareable certificate of completion and add it to your LinkedIn or resume.
- Course offers audit access for free, full access included with Coursera Plus, and financial aid is available.
- The course supports accessibility with 23 available languages and a flexible, mobile-friendly format.

Finding Purpose and Meaning In Life: Living for What Matters Most