This hub is an activity created to help youth identify their strengths and goals, learn a little about marketing and communication, and maybe help with self-esteem along the way. After completing the activity the youth should have a better concept of who they are, what they care about, what they want to do in life, and what they do well. The activity can be done in a group format or on an individual basis. It can be done at home or in institutional settings.

Introduction: You have an opportunity to market yourself today. This exercise is important for a couple reasons.

Objectives:

1. You will identify your values, goals, and strengths.
2. You will learn to communicate those strengths with others.
3. You will strengthen your own view of who you are and what your goals are.

Mission Statement Part

The first part of your mission is to write your mission statement. An example of a mission statement for a fast food restaurant might be: “To provide customers an exceptional value by ensuring fast service and quality food in a clean environment.” Notice that the mission statement includes values, goals, and strengths of the organization.

• Value: Customer service, clean environment, quality food
• Goal: Provide exceptional value
• Strengths: Fast service, keep the place clean, and make good food

Notice there could be overlap between values, goals, and strengths. That is because our goals usually come from our values, and our strengths help us meet those goals. This mission statement wouldn’t work for a barber shop, and your own mission statement should be specific to you. In order to do that you need to answer these questions.

1. What are your values?
2. What are your goals?
3. What can you do well to meet those goals?

Logo Part

Once you have created your mission statement, it is time to brand yourself. You need to give others a visual representation of you mission. You will design a logo and a slogan that represents you and your mission. A logo usually includes a letter of a name, brand colors, and possibly a few short words.

Slogan Part

The slogan is like a mission, only it is to the point. It is a creative way businesses compete with each other.  Even though you are not competing with others, create a creative slogan to show others that you are interesting. What makes you better or special? Include that in your slogan. For the fast food place mentioned earlier, a slogan might be: “Your wallet, stomach, and busy day will thank you.” Now think of all the funny commercials that could be created based on the slogan.

Now design a commercial advertisement that you would run to represent yourself.  Remember that funny commercials are effective, as well as informative commercials.  Think about Geiko commercials and car sales commercials.