Career Day

Last week I presented at Oliver Springs Elementary School Career Day. I felt honored that they asked me to go back to my old stomping grounds and speak to middle school students about potential careers in broadcasting. I wondered if 6th-8th graders would even be interested in what I had to say. I was pleasantly surprised with their attentiveness and inquisitiveness. Other speakers included a meteorologist from the top network in Knoxville, Julya Johnson, who happened to attend high school with me. There was a medical evacuation helicopter, dentists, lawyers, a mortician, and my sister who is an event coordinator who specializes in weddings.

At lunch, all the speakers we invited to the library where we were served BBQ and we were able to socialize some. During this time a reporter from the local paper showed up and began to interview several people about the event and careers. Eventually she found her way to me and asked what I did. I proudly answered that I worked in the video production department at Lee University. She asked what I did. I told her about editing, teaching, producing videos for the University, managing student workers, promoting the university, etc. During the entire interview I was positive about my job and why I was at OS talking to the students. But then it happened, the young (probably 22 and fresh out of college) reporter asked a question that I have faced in the past from others especially my peers from where I grew up. It is a question that causes me to become defensive and to a point angry. She said, “So, when you get a real job,” catching herself she stumbled to say, “I mean when you, uh, when decided to move on…” She must have read the expression on my face, because she stopped in the middle of her sentence. At first, I was appalled at the question, but then I understood this would be a good chance for me to share about why I work at Lee. I told her that I chose to work at Lee because not because I couldn’t get another job or was unable to find a job after graduation, but I chose Lee for one simple reason – I believe in the mission and vision of the institution. Lee University is changing lives everyday. It is place where students are challenged academically, socially, and spiritually. Those students then go out into their professions and lives after Lee to impact the lives of others around them.

The most significant aspect of Lee that makes it so appealing for me and the others who decided to stay or come back here to work is the exponential amounts of people who are touched because of this institution. It’s not just the students who graduate from here it’s also the people they work with, marry, their kids, fellow church members, clients, employees, etc. Working at Lee is more than just cashing a paycheck or filling out a resume, it is a calling and a ministry. I know that not everyone will understand why I don’t go work for ESPN, travel doing sports, open my own production company or even attempt to produce TV or film. At this point in my life, it is not time for me to do those things instead I choose to try and affect the lives of the students and staff of Lee University so that are better equipped to serve and reach the world. This is my calling and that is why I work at Lee University. So my answer to the reporter then and now is “I am in a real job and I love it.”

Until next time…