Students plan to keep the faith in their future careers
Graduation is approaching, and seniors are getting ready to leave behind their legacy at Liberty University. As students reflect on their experiences, it is also important that they continue to live out their faith after graduation. The famous words from Jerry Falwell Sr. and Liberty’s tagline, “Training Champions for Christ,” give students the ability to learn about many disciplines from a Christian worldview while pursuing their passions with a God-centered community. Liberty graduating seniors shared how they will live out their faith and the training they received postgraduation.
Kathleen Shirley – B.M. in Commercial Music: Songwriting
Seeing God in every aspect is a crucial step in the process of living out your faith. Finding God in little details of assignments, work life and relationships helps us see the goodness of him and others.
“I am looking forward to living out being a Champion for Christ just by going into ministry,” Shirley said. “I want to do music ministry, and I am looking forward to just discipling others in the community I’m in, and in the church setting.”
Shirley said her favorite part of being a Liberty student is the community groups and Campus Community. A strong faith life after your time at Liberty will greatly impact how others perceive the Lord through work life and experiences.
Jacob Blabey: B.S. in Digital Media & Journalism
The world around us is full of sin and darkness; however, we must be the light to that darkness. As Christians, it is our responsibility to uplift others and be disciples of God’s Word. Sharing the gospel can be done anywhere, and imitating Christ in your future workplace will draw others who do not know him closer.
Living as a Champion for Christ after graduation doesn’t have to be complicated; glorifying Christ can look like spreading light unto others. Blabey shared how his degree will help him share the gospel.
“How I seek Christ in the realm of journalism is … to tell the stories of people that don’t necessarily get to have their stories told and getting to be a light in a community that need it,” Blabey said.
Blabey said his best memories on campus relate back to its community.
“Whenever I’ve had difficult times while here at Liberty, I never stay gone very long, because there is always something on campus that pulls me back into my time with the Lord, into Scripture and into community,” Blabey said.
Anna Wheat – B.S. in Business Administration and Data Analysis: Strategic Marketing Management with a Minor in Digital Design: Photographic Design
Graduating senior Anna Wheat said her time as a photo editor with the Liberty Champion was a positive experience that helped her learn to adapt quickly and expand her skills.
“It (the Champion) was such a cool way to expand my skills,” Wheat said. “The Lord opened up so many doors through working at the Champion that I got to benefit from for the rest of my career and honestly the rest of my time at Liberty, too.”
Gaining hands-on experience is one of the best ways students can build up resumes, learn new skills and pursue their passions.
Wheat said she will take these skills with her to share Christ with others after graduation.
“Showing the love of Christ not just through sharing the gospel with them but through my actions,” Wheat said.
Noah Ruyack – B.S. in Digital Media & Journalism: Video Production
Upon graduation, opportunities for growth are endless, and trusting the Lord with your next steps is essential when entering a new chapter. At Liberty, there are many ways students can get involved with jobs for their specific major, like pursuing their passions through real-world experiences.
Noah Ruyack said his time working for Liberty’s Digital Media Lab for the past 3 years helped him gain networking opportunities for his future career in video production.
“Networking is absolutely crucial in this field,” Ruyack said. “I have also gotten a lot of opportunities to get to know all of this legitimately industry-standard equipment.”
Living out God’s purpose for our lives is important as Christians, because we are called to glorify Christ in everything we do.
“Do everything as unto Christ,” Ruyack said. “I am going to take that responsibility and make sure I do everything to the best of my ability as if I was doing it for my Lord.”
Senes is the opinion editor for the Liberty Champion.