"Mentoring Students to Prepare for Life Transitions--A Sense of Vocation"

Participants:

JoEllen Anderson, Julie Chamberlain, Ann Highum (Coordinator), Jane Hildebrand, Julie Jensen, Kate Martinson, Karen Martin-Schramm, Kate Narveson, Mona Nelson, Lori Pearson, Sandra Peter, Diane Scholl

Our main goal was to discuss the ideas from the reading and discover ways that we, either as a group or as individuals, could better assist women students in discovering their calling in the midst of life transitions. From our various perspectives, we believe that women students are in a unique time and place to "practice" this consideration of their own goals, and to apply new approaches to deal with life transitions that will inevitably affect them. Certainly the focus of the Lilly program in helping students think about the role of faith and belief as they face key transition points, is one that we find important. Our readings, as listed below, are balanced to include ideas about several topics, including the centrality of faith to people as they approach these transitional times

Some major life transition points for students where they may lose focus or face challenges seem to include:

• the transition from high school to college, when they first encounter the need for independent thinking and decision-making;
• during the spring semester of their first year, as they make decisions about returning to Luther and Major choices;
• the sophomore year, where they often have career choice crises; and
• the senior year, as they prepare to leave Luther for their next step in career, personal life, and service to their future communities and church.

We are hopeful that we can connect with women students in a variety of ways, help them view their futures as both complicated and hopeful, and model ways that one can live out one's vocation in a variety of effective ways. It is important for each one of us to have time to reflect and think through how we individually face challenges, balance various roles in life, and find time for meaningful service to church and society, helping our students approach their future with these thoughts in mind will help them truly find what vocation means to them.

Reading List

About This Site | Site Map

Copyright © 2003 Luther College