Have you ever thought about how your favorite teachers or mentors found their paths? What struggles did they face, and is there truly a “right” way to succeed?
These questions lie at the heart of Virginia Wesleyan University’s recent Career & Vocational Summit. This event wrapped up the GUIDE Program, aimed at helping students explore their career options and develop meaningful life paths. Supported by a grant from the NetVUE Professional Development Award, GUIDE trains faculty and staff to be better mentors.
The program encourages real conversations between educators and students, blending career exploration with the liberal arts mission. “The main goal of GUIDE is to spark engaging discussions about vocation,” explains Alice Jones, the director of career development at VWU. “We want to help students see how purpose and education connect.”
Faculty and staff got introduced to the program over the summer, launching with a kickoff event in Fall 2025. They participated in interactive sessions, including a workshop by Dr. Deirdre Egan-Ryan from St. Norbert College that highlighted storytelling as a tool for vocational discernment. Another session involved discussions on the book “At This Time, and In This Place: Vocation and Higher Education,” edited by David S. Cunningham, prompting faculty to reflect on their journeys.
The summit on January 21 was a highlight event, especially for first- and second-year students exploring their vocational interests. Dr. Justin Klassen, a theology professor at Bellarmine University, kicked off the day with a thought-provoking keynote. He emphasized that finding your vocation isn’t just about selecting a career but instead involves living meaningfully in the moment. He noted, “Students often feel crushed by expectations—there’s pressure to follow a narrow path. But what if we looked at vocation as how we love and live?”
Dr. Klassen believes education should focus on nurturing students as complete individuals, not just future employees. “We need to create spaces for students to ask deeper questions about who they are becoming,” he said.
The day wrapped up with a poster session where faculty and staff shared personal stories about their career journeys. These posters highlighted the various paths taken, showing that careers often twist and turn rather than follow a straight line. Faculty included Hannah Carmona, April Christman, Sarah DeRosa, and others, displaying their reflections in Hofheimer Library.
With this initiative, VWU is making strides in career mentorship. “This program empowers our faculty and staff to nurture an environment for student success,” said Jones. “It’s an investment in our graduates’ future.”
Looking ahead, VWU plans to continue bridging connections between students and faculty with new initiatives, including an Employer Development program backed by a recent Impact Grant.
For more details, check out The Athenaeum: Center for Exploration and Discovery at VWU.
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