News / Education
First person: Impressions from Collegiate Week
By Jennifer Tramel
Most days at LifeWay's Glorieta Conference Center were incredibly busy – it takes a good deal of time to stalk people with my camera and ask for interviews when they least expect it – but during one free afternoon, I found time to go hiking. In the midst of that hike, my friend suddenly pulled me backward by the strap of my backpack. I looked down and there, in the middle of the trail, was a rattlesnake.
This "near death" experience really brought new perspective to the conference for me. Initially, my goals were to see how Collegiate Week provides students with resources, tools and guidance for life in and around college. But that snake sunning itself in my path made me consider how Collegiate Week could be a way of God pulling students back, making them pause before taking a life-changing step, and preparing them for what could be in their paths upon graduation.
During college I was a part of a community service scholarship program called the Bonner Scholars. Because so much of my time was dedicated to community service, I wasn’t active in a BCM (Baptist Collegiate Ministry) or BSU (Baptist Student Union). I was fortunate enough, however, to look to my Bonner service as a ministry. I helped mentor the 45 students we had and used my talents to earn this internship I currently have at LifeWay.
I know many Bonner parents fretted about community service derailing their children’s academic and career goals, and I met students at Collegiate Week experiencing similar conflicts with their parents. But does being involved in on-campus ministries hinder gaining the experience needed to achieve career aspirations? I decided to ask attendees what they thought.
I heard a resounding "no."
An advocate
Collegiate Week speaker Arliss Dickerson might as well have had a megaphone as he proclaimed that same response throughout the week. Although I had been to Arliss’ new minister’s track already that week, I decided to go again and see if he had any suggestions for interviews. Funny how God orchestrates things. Arliss was talking that day about how being in ministry provides students with professional skills. Bingo! Just the information I was looking for.
Dickerson explained that students involved in campus ministry often speak in front of their peers, plan events, time manage, minister to other students, learn to recognize their strengths and weaknesses, and get a good dose of responsibility.
Sounds like fantastic ways to gain professional and personal experience to me. And the good thing about participating in a ministry is that you can serve God and serve others in a place where, if you fail, there is a ministry that will provide a forgiving, Christian foundation through which you can try again. Genius.
After Arliss’ workshop, I spoke with Tony Poon, an incoming senior from Nicholls State University in Louisiana. He used his skills in journalism and videography to serve his BCM by making a documentary for Habitat for Humanity. He had also just finished mentoring some fellow students. Already, he is a direct example of what Arliss was talking about: While using his strengths and talents to build a resume, he was able to directly influence people.
The way that Tony is using his time in ministry is almost exactly what I did with Bonner. Now that I’m interning at LifeWay, I see more than ever how beneficial it was to have those years of practice.
Parents, don’t fret. Your children will gain professionally relevant experience by being involved in collegiate ministry. And students, consider being a leader in a ministry on your campus.
Making a difference for the Kingdom and gaining skills for a professional life actually do go hand-in-hand.
Now, bring on the rattlesnakes.
