Student
The students are not back to class yet, but the faculty is hard at work preparing syllabi, preparing class notes, reviewing budgets, evaluating documents and filing reports. It is difficult to be motivated without enthusiastic students to serve, but it is necessary work. I spent several quiet productive hours in my office today, but it was still not the kind of day I would choose. I am a teacher and advisor.
But then an alumnus dropped by. An "A" student with lots of talent, she was brimming with enthusiasm a few weeks ago at graduation for her launch into the workplace. Six interviews later, she was deflated and discouraged looking for work in sports management: "They offered me a full-time job at $9.00 an hour with no benefits. Another opportunity was commission only. And another only offered a small stipend. I really wanted not to have to live at home, but there don't seem to be a lot of job opportunities." Her successful paid internship at last summer's sports franchise no longer existed. Finances are tight, even for successful sports teams who are not risking hiring new employees.
We explored lots of options and I asked her to consider opportunities out of her interest area for the time being. How would God like her to use her gifts? We researched from our PBU network of employers who had positive experiences with our grads. She was willing to consider what she could not see at first. She left with a list of contacts and said rather happily, "I have a lot of work to do." At the end of the conversation, she was smiling again and energized and no longer stymied in her job search. "I am glad I came by," she said. So was I.
