Professional Development

A Christian professional development plan preparing young Christians for the career and ministry world.

Are you eager to pursue your calling but not sure if you’re marketable or hirable?

 

Sometimes it feels like there’s a long road between where you are now and where you’d like to go. You have little experience, are either determined or unsure about college, and are just overall confused with the whole process. You have hopes and dreams but you feel stuck. Does this sound like you?

Here’s the problem: You know that in order to pursue your calling, you have to try and do something. But where do you start?

Imagine this…

Imagine having a semester-by-semester curriculum that teaches you how to be a Christian professional that leads into your paid summer leadership role with mentoring and supervision.

HERE’S A GLIMPSE OF WHAT THAT COULD LOOK LIKE…

Fall Semester:

Understand Yourself for Kingdom Impact

  • teamwork, fellowship, team, leadership, strengths, high five, clap, smiling, fun, joy, fitness, challenge

    Leadership Training

    Begin your semester by taking a personality test to further understand your strengths and weaknesses. End the semester learning how to write a resume and receive professional critique to prepare your resume for after LIFT.

  • missions practicum, learning, teaching, discussing, reading, inventory, understanding, two girls, two young women, lifters, guatemala

    Missions Practicum

    In this practicum, you will explore God’s will & calling on your life through discussion, assigned readings, and a final paper. You will also take a spiritual gifts inventory to better understand how God can use you and where.

Between Semesters

When you return home for winter break, you will perform three full-day job shadows related to your area of interest. After returning, LIFT students meet with their mentors to discuss each job shadow and process what that means for each of them personally.

Spring Semester:

Effective Communication & Management Strategies

  • Set up a LinkedIn profile

    Want to get seen on platforms where employers are looking? This is your chance to learn how to make a profile that gets visitors.

  • Marketing yourself, networking, & effective communication

    Do you know how to stand out from the crowd? As one of the billions of people in the world, it’s your job to know how to sell yourself to potential employers or clients. We’ll help you do that.

  • Tips & tricks on how to interview well

    Good interviews help establish your presence, maturity, and ability to work with others. You’ll learn the dos and don’ts of the interviewing process so you’ll feel set up for success.

  • Time management & planning

    Managing time and knowing how to organize yourself and others is key to good management and getting your boss’s approval. We’ll teach you strategies to make you not only effective but efficient.

  • Risk management & decision-making

    Are you ready to respond if things don’t go right? The sign of a good leader is his or her’s ability to act smartly when under pressure or dealing with a difficult situation.

  • Regular practice of servant leadership

    In your dynamic summer leadership role, you’ll get to practice all of these skills and strategies under mentorship and write it all into your resume as professional experience!

  • Financial planning & stewardship

    To propel you into the career world, we’ll also teach you how to steward your finances and plan as a responsible adult who’s ready to be independent of your parents.

  • Interview for summer leadership position

    Once you’ve learned everything you need to know to be a successful professional and leader, you’ll interview with our HR team to find the perfect summer role for you. They’ll give you feedback on your performance as well so you know where to improve.

Summer Leadership Practicum

  • Seminar, Breakout Session, meeting, job fair, talking, presenting

    Seminars & Breakout Sessions

    Two days of break-out sessions & seminars with a variety of guest speakers who will offer insight knowledge within different careers, ministries, military, trades, & higher education.

  • lifeguard, beach, certified, training certifications, lifeguard certification course, lifeguard certified, wilderness first aid, cpr training, cpr, lifeguarding

    Training Certifications

    Two to three days of optional training and certifications in lifeguarding, CPR, & Wilderness First Aid.

  • mentorship, searching, marketing, finance, business, google, work, career, job, one on one

    Mentorship

    While actively growing in your hands-on leadership role, your mentor will meet with you to coach and support you through your experience.

  • workshop, exit plan, writing, planner, career, career coach, financial plan, post college, post graduate, post grad, data, analyze, college, trade school, enlist, get hired, start a career, missionary, full time missionary

    Program Exit Plan

    Work on an exit plan from LIFT. This may include attending college or trade school, enlisting in the military, getting hired, starting a career, committing to a missions experience, and etc.

TO SUMMARIZE

By the end of the year…

camp of the woods summer staff, cotw summer staff, rec staff, recreation staff, carolyn nesbitt, happy, tournament, referee, organize, event planner, career, outdoor education, facilitator
 

You’ll have substantially more training and experience than most college or graduate students receive in and after college.

  • Receive a variety of certificates (for free!) in one place

  • Leadership and management courses no matter your area of study

  • Social intelligence awareness (personality test & spiritual gifts inventory)

  • Free resume workshops

  • Summer customer service and de-escalation trainings

  • Optional college credit from one of our college partners

  • A promised summer leadership role (that’s paid) as part of your curriculum

  • Work alongside an experienced professional as your mentor

  • Potential job opportunities after the program

Standard tuition: $1,000

Compare to similar programs listed up to $22,000

It’s time to start heading toward your promising future.

Explore Another Key Area of LIFT

  • Christian Community

    Learn more about yourself in a safe and Christ-focused community that is on the same journey as you are.

    Learn More

  • Servant-Leadership

    Learn who you are as a leader through classes, excursions, and serving our conference and summer season members.

    Learn More

  • Academics

    Take advantage of earning college credits through coursework framed to help you grow within three main areas of your life: intellectually, spiritually, and physically.

    Learn More

  • Professional Development

    Develop an unparalleled professional skillset through mentorship, coaching, job shadows, resume seminars, and more!

    Learn More

  • Missional Living

    Develop a missionally-minded perspective through urban, regional, and international mission work.

    Learn More

  • Outdoor Adventure

    Learn specialized outdoor skills while overcoming challenges, taking risks, and making decisions during your wilderness excursions.

    Learn More