Life Calling is not “the call” to ministry. It is the home for students without a major as well as a place for those who want to generate the confidence needed to move forward in areas they feel stuck. Life Calling is about discovering who you are with precision and accuracy so you can contribute to the world authentically. At IWU, we believe everyone has a calling -- we’re here to help you discover yours.
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Components of Life Calling
- The Exploratory Program helps students make an informed decision on their major, rather than waste time, credits, and money by being uncertain. Nearly all majors can graduate in four (or less) years, even when entering the Exploratory program first semester. 80% of students nationally change their major at some point – often more than once. However, Exploratory students are less likely to change their major once they declare. Exploratory is the second largest incoming academic program at IWU (behind Nursing) with a persistence rate of 94%. Whether deciding between two majors, realizing a major isn't a good fit, or not knowing which direction to go because of too many options, students benefit from the Exploratory Program.
- LFC 150: Introduction to Life Calling is a three credit-hour course all Exploratory students take in the Fall semester. This course helps students explore vocation by discovering personal mission as well as unique, God-given design. On average, 65% of students in this course declare their major with confidence by Christmas Break. The rest of the students declare by the end of the academic year.
- Life Coaching is a free service, open to all students, with an average of five 45-minute sessions. Trained, certified life coaches work one-on-one with students to pursue change and determine purpose, direction, and/or a major. Life Coaching is not counseling, advising, or consulting – it is partnering with students to help deepen personal learning to move forward with decisions. Coaches are trained to draw out the answers within the student, not to make the decision for the student. Coaching can utilize assessments and tools that may include: CliftonStrengths, Mining for Values, MBTI, Strong’s Interest Inventory (SII), and the Enneagram.
Life Calling Model
Dr. Bill Millard’s model for life calling focuses on three areas: Foundational Values, Unique Design, and Personal Mission. Foundational Values explores the integration of faith, character, and service in determining an individual’s worldview and beliefs that guide their actions. Unique Design integrates student’s strengths, passions, and experiences to better understand who God created them to be, as well as to equip them to serve in effective, fulfilling ways. Personal Mission prompts individuals to assess the needs in the world around them, establish their vision for change, and commit to actions related to those needs and vision. The combination of these areas is where and how you discover your life calling. In other words, “What has the Caller created you to do?”
