I must admit, I've been really naive about this issue. I've been generally aware that there are Federal labor laws regulating the practices of paid and unpaid interns, but I haven't really done any due diligence on the issue-- until recently. 

A good friend challenged me to consider the higher calling that Christians have to abide by the law, participate in commerce that promotes justice and equality, and be change makers in systems that are broken.   

Here's what I understand:
Picture
1. Companies or organizations that offer unpaid internships are required to restrict the scope of duties to be purely educational in nature. In other words, the internship should look more like an extended job shadowing. The law, I think, is trying to avoid someone in the active labor market being passed over for a paid position because companies are using unpaid interns to do the same work- for FREE. 

2. Companies or organizations that offer paid internships are allowed to assign any work they want to interns, assuming they abide by other Federal labor regulations like meeting minimum wage requirements. 

Clear? To read more, check out this New York Times article

This issue about internships brings up important issues about what it means to be Christians in the marketplace. 

Are Christian employers required by law and God to uphold fair and ethical labor practices? Yes, of course- and more. Christian employers need to set the bar high for caring for its employees. Consider great companies founded by and run by followers of Jesus: In N Out, Chick-fil-A, Datron World Communications...companies renowned for their reputation of taking care of the employees and going above-and-beyond.

The question becomes much trickier, though, from the intern's point of view. What if I want to break into an industry or company, but the only clear route to gaining the experience, exposure and relationships I need to give myself a shot at a job is through an unethical and illegal internship? 

What will you do? Let's figure this out together...

Add Comment
 
 
Oops. One of my main theories about helping students graduate well- as fully mature, developed, and focused Christian leaders- is WRONG.

I was thinking (and putting lots of time/strategy/effort) that if we can help students discover their unique wiring, calling, and purpose, then they will be launched. --Notice lots and lots of writing here. 

But, that's definitely not the whole story or best answer. 
Picture
Self-awareness and self-discovery is amazing, assuming it doesn't lead to self-absorption. Recovering the passions deep inside, understanding how I'm uniquely gifted, recognizing the skills I have and how to put them to use- it's all good. 

But I'm finding that many people are still stuck.

Stuck in insecurity. Stuck in fear. Stuck in anxiety. 

What does it look like to get unstuck? To dive into the even deeper, more hidden parts of ourselves and give God's spirit access to heal, free, transform, and speak truth to lies?

What if there was a way to be truly set free and step into the potential that God is giving us, to become our truest and best selves and make major impact for good?

Would you go there?

Would you dive in?
Add Comment
 
 
It's that time of year again: graduating students on campuses all across the country are starting the get eye twitches, nightmares, and anxiety attacks. 

Why?

Because they're graduating and HAVE NO CLUE WHAT TO DO NEXT!!
Picture
Hey, it's not your fault. It's a a generational thing, a shortcoming in our educational system, a flaw in your parents support of you...or something like that. 

At any rate, it's time for you to figure out WHAT THE HECK YOU'RE GOING TO BE DOING IN 2 MONTHS!!!

Up until now, the track has been certain. But now...

You're focused on wrapping up the last few weeks of classes. Still working on major group projects and thesis papers. Hopeful that you actually have enough units to graduate. Wondering what your friends are going to do. Considering where you're going to live...

Conventional wisdom (most likely from your parents) would say that you should evaluate your best career path based on your field of study. Zoom in on the opportunities before you based on the trajectory your on.

But what if you take more than a few moments to ZOOM OUT? 

Take a look at your life in its entirety. 

What are some common themes and patterns that you see? Interests that you forgot about. Causes you've always been passionate about. What story has your life been telling up until this point? Even broader, what line of work is in your bloodline, passed on to you from your parents, grandparents, etc? How has your ethnicity, gender, geographic location, culture, and more shaped you and formed you for something in the future?

When you zoom out in your life, what do you see differently?
Add Comment
 
Decide to Lead 04/12/2012
 
If you want to be a leader, you have to decide to lead. 

Leadership is about influencing others (see: Ken Blanchard, John Maxwell). Influencing others happens all the time, whether conscious or unconscious. 

If you want to be a leader for good, you have to decide to. 
Picture

Everyone desires to make positive impact on others. Everyone has the ability and opportunity to leader others for good. You are hardwired for it. 

But leadership doesn't happen unintentionally or randomly. 

Leadership flows from a decision to lead. 


It comes from a DECISION that says, "I'm going to bring the best of me in service to help others become their best."

It comes not just a decision, but a moment-by-moment decision to continually offer yourself to others. Scanning the horizon, listening, paying attention to the moment, staying fully engaged, saying YES to giving yourself. 

Have you DECIDED to lead?

What keeps you from leading?
Add Comment
 
 
I'm in love with golf. I play courses in my imagination while I go to sleep. I play golf as often as I can. I bought my son a set of golf clubs just after he learned how to walk. I engineer my work schedule around golf. I've taken trips just to play golf. And, I'm one of the rare golfers who loves watching golf on tv. Admittedly, I've watched nearly every round of professional golf in 2012 (that's Thursday-Sunday, every week). This week happens to be my favorite week of the year- the Masters. While I watch the Masters on tv, I also have it streaming live on my computer AND iPad- count that, three different views of the tournament. (Yes, I have the Masters app on my phone, too, for when I'm on the road...)

I love golf.
Picture

What do you love?

What are you passionate about? 

I have friends who share the same level of passion for the stock market, for running marathons, for basketball, for cooking, and for art. 

What are you supposed to do with those passions? Should they inform and shape what career path you choose?

Maybe.

Or maybe not.

Maybe your passions are supposed to guide you in your work. Or maybe they're supposed to stay on the sidelines- as hobbies, interests, and the weekend. Maybe, and most likely, God's given you passions for you to enjoy life and participate in enjoying the world He's created. 

What do you think? 
Add Comment
 
 
When trying to navigate through the treacherous world of the workplace and stay on course with who you're called to be, there's one trait that will serve you more than anything else:

Resilience. 

You will be pushed, prodded, pressured, isolated and questioned.
Picture
You will get difficult feedback.

You will forget why you're here.

You will have a really, really bad day. 

And a meaningless week.

You will discover that your college degree didn't prepare you for this.

You will find people lapping you in promotion, development and success.

But you must bounce back. You must find a way to be singularly focused and galvanized towards who you're shaped to be. 

Find a couple of friends who will commit to holding you on course.

Write your goals down.

Spend time every month imagining who you could become if you stayed on track for another five or ten years. 

Figure out what you need to become the best version of you, and then be relentlessly intentional about making it happen.

It's your life, your responsibility. 
Add Comment
 
 
I will not name names, but I was extremely surprised to meet a student recently who just graduated and came to me looking for help in figuring out his first career steps. 

I asked him what he was thinking about, and he shrugged.

I asked him what his plan was, and he said he didn't have one.

Before I could clarify, he explained that the reason he didn't have a plan was because he had been busy...with school...

...for 18 years?
Picture
I shouldn't be surprised anymore, because this is a conversation I get into frequently, almost daily. Students who just graduated or who are about to graduate and have NO CLUE what they're going to do next. 

Something is definitely broken. 

Maybe something's broken with the way we're being educated. Or maybe the economy has scared everyone. Or maybe it's parenting. Or social media. I have no idea. But, we definitely have a problem.

Students switch majors on a whim. 

Seniors about to graduate have never worked before. 

Young people have never done an informational interview or been mentored. 

They. have. no. plan. 

No, I'm not feeling cranky. I'm concerned! 

What do students need to learn, experience, and know before they graduate to transition well?
6 Comments
 
 
Dear supervisor,

I know you and I don't know each other very well. In fact, I never really got to know you during my interview process, and you certainly didn't really get to know me- besides what my resume says and the answers I came up with for my interview.

But, I'd really like to get to know you. And, I'd really like to give you my best. I'd like to grow here, to contribute, to make an impact, and add more value than you expect.

The thing is, I'm worried that you don't really know what I need, or what I want. So I thought I'd let you know. If you want to develop me and get the best from me, here are five things I need from you:
Teach me how. Let's be honest. You hired me for my potential, not for my skills. I don't really know what I'm doing, or how to do it well. Could you please teach me, train me, and show me how? I know it's going to take some extra time, but I think in the long run you and I will be much happier.

Correct me. I thrive off of frequent feedback- the more frequent, the better. Could you tell me when I'm off track, or even on track? Could you tell me if I shouldn't have spoken up more, or less, in the meeting? Could you let me know if you hear anything about me from our clients? Please, let me know how I'm doing. 

Share "the why". I'm from a different generation than you, a generation that values meaningful work more than anything else- more than paycheck or perks. I really, really want to know why my contribution and work contributes to the value of the company. I really want to know why we do things the way we do. I want to know why the extra meeting is going to help us all work more effectively and efficiently. 

Challenge me. Throw me in the deep end. Expect a lot from me- I'm used to it. My parents did. My coaches did. My professors did. And I will rise to the challenge. 

Listen to me. I know that I'm new, but I've already seen a few things around here that aren't working very well. Technology that doesn't sync. Processes that are bulky and time wasting. I've observed cynicism and negativity and gossip. I would love to share things I'm seeing. I'd love to share things I learned in my classes, and as a student leader in student organizations. 

Thanks for hiring me. I promise, if we work together, I won't let you down.

Sincerely,
Your newest employee

-- Feel free to copy, paste and personalize--
Add Comment
 
 
Wow, what a great question!

If you're a student:
  • Need help with figuring out your career? Consider signing up for a "White Board Your Life" session, use our Career Coaching guides, or register for our new Mentor Portal, where you'll have access to connect with local Christian professionals in a variety of fields. We can also help you in a Job Search strategy.
  • Want to figure out what it means to be a world changer in the workplace? Read our regularly updated blog, join or launch your own Faith@Work group on your campus, or register for the Mentor Portal and connect with a professional already living out a dynamic faith expression in the workplace. 
  • Want to create something with us? Invite one of us to speak in a workshop, leadership training, student organization, classroom, or informal meal with your friends. 
  • Looking for an internship? Contact us and hear about internship openings passed along for Faith@Work students. Specifically, consider joining a group of students this summer for a Summer Internship Project. 

If you're a professional:
  • Register for the new Mentor Portal, and give Faith@Work students access to approach you for specific mentoring in one of three areas: Career Coaching, Faith@Work integration, or an informational interview. 
  • Consider hiring a Faith@Work student as an intern or entry level employee. We think we're tapping into the best talent pool in San Diego, and we'd like to give you access to connect with them. Contact us with job openings. 
  • Invite us to your work: to speak to your employees about Gen Y'ers (Millenials) in the workplace, assist you in creating an internship program, or offer leadership training. 
  • Consider investing financially for InterVarsity Faith@Work to deepen and expand. 
Add Comment
 
 
Let's face it, you and I don't know what we don't know. 

And, we don't really know how to get to where we'd like to be. 

Okay, let's be really honest, I'm not even sure if I know where I'm going. 

There are a lot of benefits to finding a good mentor. Here are the top three:
Picture
1. Mentors can give us the lay of the land. They have a different vantage point into the field or career path that we're considering. Getting their insight can provide us much needed clarity on the options and choices for which direction to take.

2. Mentors can help us get "there". A good mentor will give his/her opinion and thoughts about where you're headed, how to get there, and hopefully introduce you to other people who can help you make it. 

3. Mentors can bolster our self-awareness. A good mentor will look into your life with an unbiased lens, help you discover how you're wired and what you're wired for, and then bless you and encourage you to take that path. 

Do you have a good mentor? If not, what can you do to reach out and find one?

You're invited to apply and participate in the InterVarsity Faith@Work Mentor Portal. Check it out, and spread the word!
Add Comment