What jobs can I get?

"What jobs can I get with this degree?" You've probably asked the question. If you have ever looked through any college degree sites, you will have noticed that almost every degree description addresses the types of careers for which the degree prepares you. Certainly this is a fair question and it is legitimate to expect some upfront information. The descriptions will give you a general idea of what to expect.

The purpose of the online Bachelor's Degree in Leadership and Ministry at OHCC states:
This degree will give Christian adults the opportunity to: (a) explore contemporary leadership and ministry issues from a biblical perspective, (b) search the mind and will of God, (c) dialogue with others who both lead and serve in their worlds, and (d) develop skills needed to lead and ministry in a wide range of business, human services, church and para-church careers.

These are fairly broad brush strokes, wouldn't you agree? The "intangibles" that will make this personal for you include:
(a) What is your starting point? How far do you have to go?
(b) What talents and abilities do you have, what have you developed, and how might you develop these further?
(c) How is your character? What level of integrity and what values are rock solid in your life?
(d) What are your ministry passions? What is your drive in life?
(e) How is your support system? Friends, mentors, and life context all play into your life direction.
(f) Are you open to wherever and however God will lead you? Changes and some surprises can be a delight when you are walking with Him.
(g) What are you willing to put into your education? Can you engage and keep at it?

Oak Hills will provide you with a solid biblical education that opens doors. You are the one that can turn potential into reality.

Vocations and Education for Life

Dr. Steve Ware, Dean of the College contributes the following to our Oak Hills Online Blog.

Educators love paradoxes.  We love to find inconsistencies in ideas which will lead students to clearer, deeper thinking.  We love to argue about questions like, “Can a man drown in the fountain of eternal life?” or chuckle when someone says something like, “No one goes to that restaurant because it’s too crowded.”  Interestingly, higher education is finding itself in the middle of a paradox.

According to information in a recent article in Forbes Magazine, people born between 1977 and 1997 stay in jobs for an average of less than 3 years.[1]  That means they could have upwards of fifteen jobs over their working careers.  Experts also predict that they will change careers—not just jobs, but lines of work—at least every ten years.[2]

However, students, parents and governments are insisting that higher education focus almost exclusively on work skills.  College programs are evaluated on work placement rates and the average incomes of program graduates.[3]  All of this is based on the assumption that the investment in college should pay vocational dividends.  

Herein lies the rub.  Colleges are becoming increasingly vocational at the same time that students are less likely to stay in a particular vocation for any length of time.  The desire of students to be vocationally nimble along with the cultural demand that college be more directly vocational is quite a paradox.

At Oak Hills Christian College, our programs are designed to prepare people for service in their communities, workplaces, churches and families right now and into the future.  We believe that a thorough understanding of the Bible; the ability to think critically, creatively and independently; strong communication and interpersonal skills; and vocational training and experience in ministry, human services and business are in the best short- and long-term interests of students.  Most of all, we believe that students thus equipped will make the most significant contributions to the Kingdom of Heaven.

If you are interested in this kind of education, contact us.

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[1] Jeanie Meister, “Job Hopping Is the ‘New Normal’ for Millennials: Three Ways to Prevent a Human Resource Nightmare,” Forbes, August 14, 2012, http://www.forbes.com/sites/jeannemeister/2012/08/14/job-hopping-is-the-new-normal-for-millennials-three-ways-to-prevent-a-human-resource-nightmare/  (accessed April 18, 2013).

[2] “Understanding Generation Y,” Sustainable Employee Motivation, http://www.sustainable-employee-motivation.com/generation-Y.html (accessed April 18, 2013).

[3] Michael Stratford, “193 Vocational Programs Fail ‘Gainful Employment’ Test, The Chronicle of Higher Education, June 26, 2012, http://chronicle.com/article/193-Vocational-Programs-Fail/132593/ (accessed April 18, 2013).

Sustainable Organizations Need Wisdom

The business world is re- discovering the value of wisdom! In "The Development of Practical Wisdom: Its Critical Role in Sustainable Performance" (Performance Improvement, April 2013),  Anthony Marker, associate professor in the College of Engineering at Boise State University,  states, "So, while profit may be necessary for an organization, it is not enough for long-term health and survival. For these, an organization also needs...wisdom." As business and organizations focus on sustainability, there is a concerted effort to understand the nature of wisdom and what aspects of wisdom can be learned by leaders and followers.  Marker cites the work of Stephen Hall (Wisdom: From Philosophy to Neuroscience, 2010) to describe eight aspects of wisdom:
1. Emotional regulation
2. Knowing what is important
3. Moral reasoning
4. Compassion
5. Humility
6. Altruism
7. Patience
8. Dealing with uncertainty

It would appear that the business world is currently grappling with principles well established in Scripture. Solomon, in Proverbs 2: 6-9 states:"For the Lord gives wisdom; From His mouth come knowledge and understanding.  He stores up sound wisdom for the upright; He is a shield to those who walk in integrity, Guarding the paths of justice, And He preserves the way of His godly ones. Then you will discern righteousness and justice, And equity and every good course." (NASB)

The Leadership and Ministry degree program at Oak Hills Christian College seeks to develop godly men and women, persons of integrity who have learned to listen to the wisdom of God. What better resource can there be for organizations?

Reference

Marker, Anthony. "The Development of Practical Wisdom: Its Critical Role in Sustainable Performance." Performance Improvement, 52(4), 11-21.

View "Online" as a Tool

Is "online education" the next revolution in higher education, as some would say? Or is it a sign of diminishing quality and lowering standards? There is so much hype surrounding the world of online or distance education! In the end, online education is just a tool for the person committed to learning.

Writing on a personal note, I remember my years in a rural African region working to establish literacy programs. When a few people in a village had the desire to learn, but could not afford the chalk or blackboard used in classes they would smooth the side of a mud hut and use charcoal bits from the fire for their lessons. They sat under mango trees or grass shade huts driven by a passion to learn. The tools were simple. The drive to learn was key.

Distance education has changed and developed greatly as communications technology has advanced. Those who went through the first days of online courses, some with negative experiences, would be amazed at the versatility of online these days. Using the analogy of building a house, we have moved from hammer and saw to power tools. But in the end, the tool is only functional in the hand of one using it. The learner with a passion to learn will learn.

Are you up for it? Contact us for more information.