By Elizabeth Clarke, LC News
PINEVILLE, La. (LC News) – Louisiana College has launched the Center for Calling and Career, a one-stop shop for students seeking internships, career advice and information about jobs available in their majors, according to Wildcats press release.
The CCC, located on the third floor of the Hixson Student Center, will help students gain an understanding of how their values and spiritual gifts should be assessed to fully know what God is calling them to do in their lives and careers, school officials said.
“Students can go online and compare their values to jobs that would be a best fit for them,” Center for Calling and Career Executive Director Meredith Rennier said. “Students enrolled in CC 100 will get to utilize this through our website. CC 100 is a required course of all entering freshmen.”
The CCC will host events throughout the academic year to teach resume writing and interview skills and will hold career fairs. Services will be provided to alumni, as well, she said.
This year’s theme is ‘I am called,’ which Rennier said will coincide with the Quality Enhancement Plan of service learning that kicks off in the fall.
QEP Chair Vanessa Graves, who is an associate professor of social work, said the Center for Calling and Career will join with LC faculty to build a commitment to serve by offering training and linking community partnerships. ‘LC Serves Live Connected,’ LC’s QEP title, was chosen to reflect the mission of Louisiana College to learn, lead and serve, Graves said, while also connecting students to local and global communities and their lifelong careers.
“The CCC will serve as the oversight for the College’s Experiential Learning Initiative (ELI) which equips students to complete two of the following during their academic career: research with a professor; study abroad; service learning; and internships,” LC President Rick Brewer said. “The ELI framework offers students credible learning opportunities which will be legitimate and included as part of a student’s transcript.
“The Center for Calling & Career is consistent with Ephesians 2:10 where Scripture informs us that we are God’s Workmanship.”
Rennier said she will be working with non-profits in the community to establish service-learning projects. She also has established an on-campus Rotaract Club, a student branch of the Rotary Club of Alexandria, which will do local service projects with community leaders. Additioanlly, the center will work to set up internships with local business and industry, as well as networking with local business and industry leaders, to create opportunities for students and graduates, Rennier said.
In addition to the one-on-one mentoring and relationships students develop at LC, Vice President for Academic Affairs and Provost Cheryl Clark said the Center will provide students with even more resources to discover their true calling.
“As a leading Christian college focused on student success and Christ-centered work, the Center for Calling and Career will provide valuable resources to prepare students for meaningful work and flourishing lives,” Clark said. “Regardless of major, background or socioeconomical circumstances, LC students will gain a deep understanding of themselves and their callings in order to launch purposeful careers. Experiential learning opportunities afforded through the CCC will allow students to integrate and apply academic coursework to a professional work situation, gain valuable skills and experiences, and increase their marketability to future employers.”
Look for more information at lacollege.edu/CFCC, and also learn about a fall workshop on “Professionalism in the Workplace” and a spring “Etiquette Luncheon,” as well as find instructions for scheduling an appointment for assistance.
