Before Using SALA
Feeling: Confused and pressured
Main need: Reassurance and a clear starting point
Design response: Khmer-first introduction for exploration, not judgment
Project Artifact
SALA Student Journey Map
A journey map showing how a Cambodian secondary student might move from uncertainty to guided reflection, pathway comparison, and realistic next-step planning.
In development
Journey Mapping | Career Guidance | Cambodia Education | Learner Experience | UDL
Artifact Overview
This student journey map is part of the SALA Pathways project. It illustrates how a Cambodian secondary student might experience the prototype as a guided learning and career-planning support tool. The journey is based on a composite scenario, not formal user testing.
Journey Context
Many Cambodian students may face academic and career decisions without structured counseling or enough individualized guidance. SALA Pathways is designed to support students as they reflect on interests, school subjects, grades, language goals, family realities, affordability, and possible next steps.
Journey Stage 1: Before Using SALA
Student feeling
Confused, pressured, curious, uncertain
Student Questions
- Should I choose university, TVET, work, or language study?
- Should I follow STEM or social science?
- What careers match my strengths?
- What if my family cannot afford the pathway I want?
- Is TVET a good option or only a backup option?
Design need: The student needs reassurance, simple language, and a clear starting point.
SALA support: A welcoming Khmer-first introduction that explains the tool is for exploration, not judgment.
Journey Stage 2: Learner Profile Questions
Student feeling
Reflective but unsure
Student Questions
- Which subjects am I actually good at?
- What kind of work environment fits me?
- What languages should I learn?
- Can I choose more than one interest?
- What if my grades do not match my dream career?
Design need: The student needs clear, non-intimidating questions that help them reflect honestly.
SALA support: Simple bilingual questions, multi-select options, examples, and student-friendly wording.
Journey Stage 3: Pathway Matching
Student feeling
Interested, hopeful, cautious
Student Questions
- Why did I get this pathway?
- What does this career sector mean?
- What subjects or skills connect to this pathway?
- Is this realistic for my situation?
Design need: The student needs transparent feedback, not a mysterious score.
SALA support: Pathway explanation that connects interests, subjects, language goals, career sectors, and next steps.
Journey Stage 4: Comparing Options
Student feeling
More informed but still deciding
Student Questions
- Should I choose university or TVET?
- Can I work first and study later?
- Is a dual degree realistic?
- What language will help in this field?
- What costs or commitments should I think about?
Design need: The student needs comparison support, not one rigid answer.
SALA support: Side-by-side pathway notes, TVET reframing, language pathway suggestions, and realistic planning cautions.
Journey Stage 5: Next-Step Planning
Student feeling
Clearer, more confident, ready to ask for support
Student Questions
- What should I do this month?
- Who should I talk to?
- What documents or grades do I need?
- What skills should I improve?
- What questions should I ask my teacher, counselor, or family?
Design need: The student needs practical next steps that are realistic and not overwhelming.
SALA support: A simple action plan with short-term next steps, questions to ask, and areas to explore further.
Journey Stage 6: After Using SALA
Student feeling
Less confused, more prepared, still needing human support
Student Questions
- How do I confirm this plan?
- Where can I find real scholarship or school information?
- Can someone help me review my options?
- What should I do if my family disagrees?
Design need: The student needs human follow-up and trusted guidance.
SALA support: Clear reminder that SALA is a support tool, not official advising, and that students should discuss options with counselors, teachers, family, and official school sources.
Journey Map Summary
Learner Profile Questions
Feeling: Reflective but unsure
Main need: Simple questions and honest reflection
Design response: Bilingual, student-friendly question flow
Pathway Matching
Feeling: Interested and cautious
Main need: Transparent feedback
Design response: Pathway explanations tied to subjects, goals, and sectors
Comparing Options
Feeling: More informed but still deciding
Main need: Comparison support
Design response: Side-by-side notes, TVET reframing, language suggestions, and planning cautions
Next-Step Planning
Feeling: Clearer and more confident
Main need: Practical next steps
Design response: Short-term action plan and questions to ask trusted adults
After Using SALA
Feeling: Less confused but still needing human support
Main need: Trusted follow-up
Design response: Reminder to confirm options with counselors, teachers, family, and official school sources
Key Experience Risks
- Student may feel judged by results
- Student may misunderstand TVET as a failure pathway
- Student may overestimate dual-degree feasibility
- Student may not have enough internet or device access
- Student may need Khmer-first explanations
- Student may need adult support to act on recommendations
- Student may confuse prototype guidance with official advising
Design Implications
The journey map shows that SALA Pathways should not simply produce a career match. It should guide reflection, explain why pathways fit, compare realistic options, and encourage follow-up with trusted adults and official sources.
- Use supportive, non-judgmental feedback.
- Explain recommendations clearly.
- Avoid presenting one pathway as the only correct answer.
- Include practical next steps.
- Normalize TVET as a stackable and practical option.
- Add affordability and workload cautions.
- Support Khmer-first reading and future audio guidance.
- Encourage human follow-up.
Relationship to Instructional Design
This journey map connects career guidance to instructional design by focusing on the learner experience over time. It helps identify the learner's emotions, questions, barriers, and support needs at each stage of the prototype.
Relationship to SALA Pathways
The journey map informs the prototype flow, question design, pathway feedback, language support, accessibility direction, and next-step guidance. It helps ensure that SALA Pathways is designed as a guided learning experience rather than a simple quiz or career list.