A new centre at Canadian Mennonite University blends employment services and faith-based career exploration
The Centre for Career and Vocation prompts students to ask how social responsibility and ‘calling’ factor into their work lives.
Canadian Mennonite University’s new career centre brings a faith-based twist to career advising. The Centre for Career and Vocation offers conventional career services like job-search help, work-integrated learning placements and career education. However, it sets itself apart from most other career centres at Canadian universities by asking students to focus on how faith and social responsibility factor into what they want to do with their lives.
“Regardless of whether people believe in God or a higher power, the language of ‘calling’ is something that tends to resonate,” says centre director Christine Kampen Robinson. “I like to talk about vocation being the calling and our career the response to the call, and I think this is an approach that connects with students.”
Since all CMU students must complete a practicum in order to graduate, Dr. Kampen Robinson is also working with faculty and staff to “develop a common framework for advising and to be more explicit in their teaching and curriculum for how different aspects contribute to the development of skills, and the discernment of vocation.”
The center launched on March 1 with more than $30,000 in funding from the Network for Vocation in Undergraduate Education (NetVUE). NetVUE supports vocation exploration at 277 small liberal arts colleges and universities. CMU is the first Canadian postsecondary institution to join.
Featured Jobs
- Dean, Faculty of Health StudiesBrandon University
- Emergency Medical Services - Dr. Ron Stewart EMS Clinician Scientist Dalhousie University
- Psychology - Assistant Professor, 9.5 month TermSaint Mary's University
- Director – Faculty Bargaining ServicesCanadian Association of University Business Officers (CAUBO)
More from News
-
Postsecondary education welcomes new government
Universities will be critical to economic growth, say leaders.
-
Judge overturns Quebec’s tuition hikes on out-of-province students
The decision is a partial victory for McGill and Concordia universities.
-
Responding to growing criticism of equity, diversity and inclusion policies
An interview with David Robinson, executive director of the Canadian Association of University Teachers, which represents faculty, librarians and researchers at 125 postsecondary institutions.
-
An historic undertaking for Indigenous education in Quebec
Quebec’s first university by and for Indigenous Peoples in partnership with the First Nations Education Council and Quebec universities.
More from Students
-
Reflections on a transformative era in global politics
We must embrace resistance through a transformative student-centred lens.
-
The fragile state of student housing
In an unprecedented housing shortage, Canadian and international students are facing a crisis that puts their studies – and their well-being – at risk. But innovative partnerships between universities, governments and private stakeholders are exploring long term solutions.
-
Which university is right for you?
Comprehensive new tool to help aspiring students navigate Canada’s universities.
-
Universities continue to grapple with the opioid epidemic
As student habits shift from alcohol to other substances, institutions are taking vital steps to help ensure harm reduction among their student populations.
More from Articles
-
Sports administration: an academic boom in a challenging market
Canadian sports administration programs are proliferating, but questions arise about whether available training outstrips job prospects.
-
Memorial med student makes art to assist classmates’ study
What started as a hobby is now helpful for both his degree and his fellow classmates.
-
Five UM scholars named among Canada’s Most Powerful Women
‘I like to think that a powerful woman is one who has the wherewithal to bring out the best in those she leads, mentors, and serves.’
-
UNBC prof developing toolkit to help women feel safe online
‘Digital rights is a very important form of gender equality.’
Post a comment
University Affairs moderates all comments according to the following guidelines. If approved, comments generally appear within one business day. We may republish particularly insightful remarks in our print edition or elsewhere.