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Education for a Lifetime: Christendom’s Academic & Professional Program

The Truth About a Liberal Arts Education ΕΕ

Liberal arts students advance more quickly to middle and senior management positions than their colleagues who pursued other fields of study . . . these graduates become employees that are ready to learn (AT&T Management Study).

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The liberal arts are more effective in teaching communication skills, general knowledge and information, an understanding of people, an appreciation of ethical concerns, an ability to organize and prioritize, and vital leadership skills (Fortune 500 study).

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People in the professions will change careers two to four times during their working life and may change jobs every two to three years (Hersh, “The Liberal Arts College”).

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Business leaders value liberal arts grads for their critical thinking and problemsolving skills, strong writing and speaking skills, self-discipline, exposure to diverse ideas, and global perspective (Hobart & William Smith Colleges study).

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Strong communications skills are the single most important attribute a candidate can have – and also the one most lacking among job applicants (Poll of hiring managers by the National Association of Colleges and Employers).

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A broad liberal arts education is preferred for future CEOs – blending knowledge of history, culture, philosophy, and economic policy, with international experience and problem-solving skills (The Wall Street Journal).

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Employers focus on finding graduates with the right skills rather than the right major, as a new employee with the right skills can easily learn the specifics of an industry. Employers desire transferable skills, skills employees take with them to any job, such as written and verbal communication skills, the ability to solve complex problems, to work well with others, and to adapt in a changing workplace – and these are characteristic of a liberal arts education (Survey by National Association of Colleges and Employers).

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The most desired employment skills (in order of importance): Teamwork, Problem Solving, Interpersonal Skills, Oral Communication, Listening, Personal/Career Development, Creative Thinking, Leadership, Goal Setting/Motivation, Writing, Organizational Effectiveness, Computation, Reading (according to Fortune 500 Companies).

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Liberal Arts in Action: Michael Eisner, Former CEO, Walt Disney Corporation; Sally Ride, First American Woman Astronaut in Space; Former U.S. Presidents Ronald Reagan and George W. Bush; TV Hosts Jay Leno, David Letterman, and Jon Stewart; Jeopardy Host Alex Trebeck; Basketball Coach Phil Jackson; U.S. Supreme Court Justices Alito, Roberts, Thomas, and Scalia; Steve Forbes, CEO, Forbes Inc.

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Research has shown that 50-81% of liberal arts graduates are employed in a professional or managerial position. Additionally, the earning power for these graduates rises an average of 78% from their 20s to their 50s. This outpaces nonliberal arts graduates’ increase percentage (Economist Robert C. Allen survey).

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A Harvard University report indicates that potential physicians need not insulate themselves from the liberal arts, and in some cases may hurt their chances by doing so. The report showed that although grades and academic honors are important for admission to medical school, a student’s choice of major has no bearing.

As the central pillar of Christendom’s 2012 reaccreditation efforts, the Education for a Lifetime program (ELP) is designed to develop in students the knowledge and motivation to be active participants in their own vocational and career discernment. It emphasizes discernment which builds upon the liberal arts in light of the College’s mission, but also ensures that students graduate with basic 21st century research, computer communication, and job search competencies.

The ELP goals are three-fold:

Mike Mochel Director of Career Development

1. To lead students to understand that the liberal arts education and the broader Christendom experience are profoundly connected with forming men and women who contribute to the Christian renovation of the temporal order.

2. To develop confident, hopeful, and enthusiastic leaders capable of integrating what they learn and do at Christendom with their lives in the world after graduation.

3. To prepare students, through acquisition of practical skills, to develop initiative, determine direction, and take action with regard to their role as faithful, informed, and articulate members of Christ’s Church and society.

ELP includes: ΕΕ

One-credit courses within the core curriculum in the Freshman/Sophomore and Junior/Senior years. These are the cornerstone of the ELP. The credits obtained via these courses are included in the college’s graduation requirements. The courses consist of both classroom lecture sessions and hands-on workshops designed to provide the students the opportunity to practice what has been taught and gain skill in basic job search skills. They cover such topics as: value of a liberal arts education, leadership concepts, research skills, understanding of self and one’s interests, basic career skills (resumé writing, interviewing, etc.), and life in the workplace, among others. By the conclusion of the courses in the senior year, students will have developed a career portfolio designed to help them graduate with the ability to take their next steps in life with confidence.

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A program for mentoring students who want to continue on to graduate school in their major. Training and mentoring will be provided for Faculty volunteers.

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Integral involvement of Christendom’s Director of Career Development (DCD). In addition to his regular career counseling duties, the DCD is intimately involved in the design, development, and delivery of both courses.

Scheduled for full implementation by the start of the 2014-2015 academic year, the ELP provides an exciting new capability for Christendom College to further the development of its students and guide them along their pathway to help fulfill the college’s mission of “restoring all things in Christ.”

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Skills for Life The Power of a Christendom College Liberal Arts Degree

Mark Rohlena (’00) President and CEO of Catholic Charities Colorado Springs, CO

Turning Your Arts into Crafts...

“The so-called plight of the liberal arts graduate is not (as so many students, parents, and well-meaning advisors think)

In years past, students chose a college based on the availability of many specialized

that employers do not hire liberal arts job seekers. It is that liberal arts graduates tend to be less willing and less able to

degree programs, believing that majoring in a specialized field would offer better

articulate career goals, thus resulting in a more difficult and unsuccessful job search.”

career opportunities later on in life. But in recent years, studies have shown that it is more important for students to be broadly educated, rather than simply trained. These

So says Burton J. Nadler in his Liberal Arts Jobs.

studies have found that, when one is too narrowly educated, it is more difficult to

Skills you will acquire through your education at Christendom College will prepare you for any job, from A-Z. And while having so many options to consider in a career search should be encouraging, it can also be challenging because the options are so broad. You may feel the anxiety of locating yourself in a much wider range of career paths. You should, therefore, focus your particular career exploration by linking your personal goals with jobs that make use of the skills you have developed.

following plan for discerning your career options: Freshman Year: Increase Self-Awareness

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Meet with the Career Development Office to help identify interests, values, and abilities.

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Use one of the Career Development Office’s guidance programs to learn more about the world of work.

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Interview friends and family members about the nature of their jobs (informational interviewing).

Sophomore Year: Explore Careers

Develop networking relationships with faculty, alumni, and professionals.

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Participate in an internship, study abroad, or undergraduate research opportunity.

Obtain information about occupations (reading and research).

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Begin to identify what is important to you in a career (e.g. using interpersonal skills, technical skills, the work culture of a given career path, etc.).

Begin to develop an effective resumé that highlights education, work, and student activities.

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Target electives to increase marketability; consider a minor related to your interests.

Meet with prospective employers or graduate schools in your career field (through on-campus recruiting, off-campus contacts, or correspondence).

Senior Year: Career Implementation

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Consider opportunities for study abroad and undergraduate research.

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Explore relevant work experiences such as internships and summer jobs.

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Use the resources of the Career Development Office.

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Complete an effective resumé that highlights education, work, and student activities.

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Sharpen interview skills.

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Learn to write effective letters of application.

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Have the confidence to “sell yourself” in interviews!

When you come to Christendom, you will receive a preparation for life. This preparation for life is one of the best in the country. It takes a great deal of soul-searching, discernment, prayer, and talking to friends and family to figure out what you are called to do. Your Christendom education will ensure that whatever it is, you can be the best you can possibly be.

Environment

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Film and Television

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Government

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Human Resources

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Human Services

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International Business

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Investment Banking

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Journalism

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But many people are under the impression that a liberal arts graduate is likely to end up unemployed, or relegated to doing odd jobs or circus acts to make ends meet. This is simply not the case! Christendom graduates do whatever they want to do. They are intelligent, moral, inventive, energetic, well-rounded, and have a great work ethic.

They are employed in every major field of work possible, from Information Technology to Education, Marketing to Medicine, Law to Academia. Below is a sampling of alumni and the careers in which they are employed.

ΕΕ Damian Fedoryka ’94, Theology Design Engineer, Red Arch Solutions

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Library and Information Science

ΕΕ Neill Mollard ’97, Philosophy Anesthesiologist

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Management

ΕΕ Aaron Pfauth ’10, Political Science Software Programmer, Sole Solutions

But the more important benefits of a liberal arts education go far beyond the

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Marketing

ΕΕ John Curran ’91, Philosophy FBI Agent

achievement of career goals. A liberal arts degree from Christendom is a philosophy

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Physical Sciences

ΕΕ Matthew Murphy ’91, Political Science Chief Operating Officer, US Inspect

of education. It helps students, both in their core curriculum courses and in their

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Public Relations

ΕΕ Sr. Immaculata Francis ’88, Theology Sister, Nashville Dominicans

major fields of study, analyze important contemporary issues. It provides students

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Public Policy

ΕΕ Matthew Cuddeback ’88, Philosophy Philosophy Professor, Providence College

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Publishing

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Research/Health Care

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Enhance leadership skills through participation in campus and community activities.

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Law

civic and religious responsibility.

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Advertising

programs in the nation so that they might go out into the world “to restore all things in Christ.”

ΕΕ Laura Scanlon ’03, Political Science Attorney

such as education, medicine, and law. Christendom graduates have continued their

Information Begin to relate values, interests, and abilities to career fields.

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Since 1977, Christendom College has been educating its students with one of the most rigorous liberal arts

ΕΕ Frank O’Reilly ’83, History CEO, Petrine Construction

with a framework for values and ethics, an appreciation of culture, and a sense of

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Top Careers for Liberal Arts Graduates*

ΕΕ Bennett Ellis, ’91, Philosophy Software Architect, IBM Global Services

programs at the masters and doctoral levels, and to professional degree programs

Junior Year: Link Self-Knowledge and Occupation

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but it also prepares you for a broad range of careers. It opens the doors to graduate

Angelicum, and Oxford University.

designing for yourself during your undergraduate years. We recommend the

Meet with your academic advisor to discuss your academic interests.

But a degree in liberal arts is different. A liberal arts education not only educates you,

of Virginia, Fordham, William and Mary, The Catholic University of America, The

but, rather, is something you should take the initiative to begin

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adapt successfully to today’s fast-paced and ever-changing business world.

studies at such prestigious schools as Notre Dame Law School, Harvard, University

A career is not something you must achieve by graduation,

What Do Christendom Graduates Do?

The Benefits of a Liberal Arts Education

ΕΕ Robyn Lee ’02, Philosophy ΕΕ Hugh Wingate ’01, History Marketing Coordinator, National Catholic Register Fighter Pilot, U.S. Marine Corps

Sales

ΕΕ Joe Soos ’93, Philosophy Physical Therapist

ΕΕ Ben Hatke ’00, History Professional Artist/Cartoonist

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Sports Management and Recreation

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Teaching

ΕΕ Fr. Thomas Vander Woude ’88, History Pastor, Holy Trinity of Gainesville, Va.

ΕΕ Fr. Gerard Saguto ’98, Theology Priest, Priestly Fraternity of St. Peter

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Technical Writing

ΕΕ Tom Kosten ’88, Political Science Owner, TK’s Home Improvement

ΕΕ Matthew Gelis ’87, Philosophy/History Owner, Veraprise Webdesign

*Source: Rice University

ΕΕ Sean Kay ’97, Political Science/English Partner, Pricewaterhousecoopers

ΕΕ Kathleen Gilbert ’07, Classics US Bureau Chief, LifeSiteNews.com

ΕΕ Tess Ginski ’07, History Registered Nurse

ΕΕ Philip O’Herron ’00, Philosophy Neuroscientist

ΕΕ Agnes Penny ’97, English Author

ΕΕ Jesse Batha ’02, Political Science Commercial Airline Pilot

ΕΕ Paul Heisler ’90, Philosophy Owner, Heisler Flooring

ΕΕ Mary Beth Baker ’08, Philosophy Managing Editor, Regnery Publishing

ΕΕ Ben Akers ’98, Theology Director, Biblical & Catechetical School

ΕΕ Daniel McGuire ’03, Classics Attorney

ΕΕ Imelda Bogue ’96, History Professional Singer/Entertainer

ΕΕ Andy Day ’06, Political Science Regional Director - FOCUS

ΕΕ Adam Marchand ’06, Political Science Trooper, Vermont State Police

ΕΕ And hundreds are stay-at-home Moms (with lots of kids), the hardest job of all!

Goals of a Liberal Arts Education A liberal arts education is more important than ever. It will strengthen your capacity to raise fundamental questions and inspire your imagination and spirit. Christendom’s academic, cultural, spiritual, and social environment allows you to develop: ΕΕ

An independent and inquiring mind.

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A breadth of knowledge and depth of understanding.

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An awareness of perennial questions and new challenges confronting humanity.

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A depth and consistency of moral judgment.

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An ability to write and speak with clarity and precision.

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A capacity and life-long desire for learning.

And beyond their many jobs and careers, Christendom graduates are exceptionally focused on the important things in life. They know that, in the end, there is really only one job that they are all called to do: get to Heaven. The education, culture, and atmosphere at Christendom provide an ideal setting for anyone trying to achieve that end.