Bethel Parent
Winter 2005
Internships Provide Valuable Experience
Amy Stroman '07 contributed to this article
One of the best ways for students to explore the job market is to obtain internship experience. Bethel helps students land those intern positions.
Why are internships valuable? "A student intern has the opportunity to work in a job they might like when they graduate," explains Bruce Olsen, associate professor of business and economics. "It will either confirm their desire to work in that specific job or industry, or tell them they need to go another direction."
Olsen adds that internships also help students build resumes. "Many employers will not consider hiring a student full time after graduation if they have not completed an internship or two. The students who do internships get the best jobs."
Internship opportunities give students hands-on experience: "It [an internship] allows a student to better connect classroom theory with actual practice," says Olsen. Following are accounts of some Bethel departments that offer internships:
Business and Economics
Students in the Department of Business and Economics can pursue a variety of majors (accounting, finance, marketing, international business, human resources management, and economics). Internships parallel these concentrations.
Each year, Tricia Angulo, who serves as an internship coordinator, typically works with 85-100 business and economics students as interns.
"An accounting student may help a public accounting firm prepare tax returns during the busy season of January 15 through April 15," says Angulo, "or, they might help companies prepare financial statements or audit their books."
Angulo says that 75-80 percent of the internships she handles are paid positions, with students earning $10 to $17 per hour.
"We don't do all the work for them and just hand them an internship," Angulo says. "Rather, we coach them through the search process. We teach them how to prospect, network, and create resumes."
Chemistry
Internships are also a hot commodity in the chemistry department.
Ken Rohly, a Bethel professor of chemistry, has connections at Medtronic, a medical device giant with headquarters in the Twin Cities.
"Currently eight of my students are working on projects that are paid internships," says Rohly.
The 3M Company also offers internships. Bethel science interns may find themselves doing routine testing, carrying out experiments, or synthesizing polymers (plastic).
"Internships can be extremely helpful," says Rohly. "They get students into work situations and help them understand what kind of research is important to businesses. Interns also interact with people to build connections."
Why do companies offer internships, given the time invested in training students?
"Companies have many ideas and plans," Rohly explains. "There are not enough people to do the work. Internships that are straight salary with no benefits are relatively low in cost for companies."
Social Work
For social work majors, internships are called "field practicums." Julia Moen, associate professor of social work and director of field instruction, says such experience is similar to nurses' training or student teaching.
"We have about 40 students out in the field," says Moen. "They work in a variety of settings: correctional facilities, schools, hospitals, nursing homes, child and family welfare agencies, chemical dependency, and adoption."
Moen says social work students in the field are supervised by degreed professionals. The department also offers a seminar to help students "integrate field experiences with classroom theory and knowledge."
"It's A Wonderful Bethel Life" Thanks to the Office of Student Life
by Lisa Stauter '06
Staff members in the Office of Student Life are dedicated to helping Bethel students have the best college experience possible. The office oversees athletics, career services, health and counseling services, and student development—just about any learning experience at Bethel that takes place outside the classroom.
Student Life is also responsible for residence life and activities such as student publications, student government, multicultural programs, relationship education, and student leadership.
"The Office of Student Life is a full participant in the educational mission of Bethel," says Judy Moseman, vice president for student life at Bethel.
Student Life staff members have a passion to help college students and recognize the demands—and rewards—of campus life. "There is a balance here between challenge and support that is intended to maximize student growth," Moseman explains. "We offer support to students through struggles and also provide challenges that allow them to risk, grow, and lead."
Issues handled by the Office of Student Life staff include students' emotional and psychological needs; relationship problems with family, roommates, boyfriends, or girlfriends; and behavior choices.
As Bethel's dean of students, Jim Fereira works directly with leadership, student groups, student government, one-on-one student interaction, student and staff concerns, and student discipline and violations. Fereira acts as a liaison between students and administration.
While it is generally hoped that Christian students attending a Christian college won't have behavioral issues, occasionally they do crop up.
"Bethel reflects the same real-life problems students may have in their churches and families. This is also a time when students test the limits, and struggle to find their own identity, creating pressure and challenges to which they do not always respond wisely," says Moseman. "Our goal is to help students develop in every dimension of their lives, including addressing behavior that sometimes gets in the way of that. It is a small but important part of what we do."
Judy Moseman: Helping Bethel students find a complete education
Judy Moseman, vice president for student life, maintains a full schedule. Besides overseeing the various of functions student life, Moseman serves on senior-level administrative teams that make critical decisions affecting Bethel students and the institution.
Moseman is also involved in Christian higher education at a national level. She is an active member of the Student Academic Programs Commission, a part of the Coalition for Christian Colleges and Universities (CCCU). This commission reviews and assesses all of the cooperative programs that CCCU sponsors, and works to improve and stabilize high-quality off-campus and study abroad opportunities.
This energetic administrator was also recently awarded the Association for Christians in Student Development Distinguished Service Award for outstanding contributions in the field of student development. "I believe it's very important to be involved in professional organizations outside of Bethel to provide the best experiences possible for Bethel students," Moseman said.
She finds great satisfaction in her position and enjoys the day-to-day interactions with students. "My conversations with students are rich, whether in a Bible study or during a discipline situation," Moseman reflects. "This is life on life, and we're helping students become whole and holy."
This gifted administrator also knows how to write: Campus Life, a student magazine published by Christianity Today International, contains columns penned by Moseman.
"Students are my passion and love," declares Moseman. "My hope is that we will prepare them to apply their faith life to all of life."
New Chapters: Helping Your Student Transition
By Lisa Stauter '06
"The most important thing a parent can do [to help their child transition into college] is pray for them," suggests Jim Fereira, dean of students at Bethel. "College is an important time of spiritual formation for your daughter or son."
Fereira notes that this is a transition for parents, too. It is the beginning of an adult-adult relationship; parents still need to take the lead. But what are the best ways to help your student adjust to campus life—even mid-year? How involved should you be in this new chapter in his or her life, and where is the line between helping and enabling?
Fereira offers time-tested tips, whether you're a 10-minute drive or an airplane flight away.
His first tip may seem odd to most parents: don't let your student come home too often. Encourage them to do things on their own such as laundry and grocery shopping.
It's a good thing to prompt your daughter to take advantage of new ideas and opportunities. Allow your son to work out his own issues. Guide him throughout the process, but don't take care of it for him. This approach encourages a sense of responsibility and independence.
However, Fereira encourages parents to still take an interest in their student's life. Talk with them about what they are learning in classes. Ask them about extracurricular activities. Encourage them, especially during hard times. The amount and level of study and competition may be dramatically different than they're used to. Celebrate accomplishments, while allowing them to discover their own solutions for problems or choices.
When dealing with the delicate issues of dependence and independence, Fereira warns against leaving too much distance: "Always be available to talk and give support, but steer away from making decisions for your student. In your quest to help your son or daughter become a healthy, well-rounded adult, emphasize the importance of making adult choices." Ask good questions to spur them on in their intellectual and spiritual development. Be sure to listen and don't be too quick with an answer.
Fereira emphasizes the bottom line: your role as a parent is changing, but you're still the parent. It's only natural for your son or daughter to expect you to lead the way during this exciting but emotional time in his or her life. You are the best and most influential person to teach them leadership skills and how to take charge of their own lives.
"Balancing support and control is difficult," says Fereira. "Always be in prayer for your student, asking God to help you and this precious member of your family through this time." After all, He knows what it's like to let a child go.
Internships Help Build the Career "Toolbox"
By Kathy Scholljegerdes, Director of Career Services
At
Bethel, the Office of Career Services Web site offers internship
suggestions, links, and postings that are continually updated for most
majors. A career counselor certified to administer assessments is
available to prepare Bethel students for internships. In addition,
several internship fairs are offered throughout the year and other
resources are available to students who visit the office. Just go to
the
career services web site.
Internships help students in a number of ways:
- Career Exploration. Career exploration involves learning about oneself and the world of work. Facing the multitude of possibilities that our diverse and ever-changing global economy presents can seem overwhelming. Internships offer the opportunity to explore careers, increase self-understanding, and find the best "fit."
- Experience. Employers tell us over and over that experience is the key to getting hired. Many employers will hire students from any major as long as they have good work experience.
- Skills. Working in the "real" world teaches practical skills such as relating to professionals, improved written and verbal skills, and the ability to apply academic knowledge to practical situations.
- Awareness. Students learn about a variety of jobs and career paths as they experience the world of work. They learn about their strengths and weaknesses, likes and dislikes, and the possibilities that exist beyond campus life.
- Networking. An internship increases the student's network of contacts. Often an internship will lead to a job, but if not, the network is the student's best tool for finding a job after graduation.
Off-Campus Study Opportunities Shape Lives
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Off-campus study programs are more than an excuse to pack a suitcase and buy a plane ticket. Students who studied in spring '04 had this to say about their off-campus study experiences: Brittany Bettger, an elementary education major with a Spanish specialty, studied in Guatemala during her sophomore year. "Everything I did and experienced God used to stretch me and challenge me and, ultimately, bring me into a closer relationship with Him...You will, no doubt, encounter challenges, but it's all worth it. This is an amazing, life-changing, and, overall, faith-enhancing experience." |
 Uganda |
 Guatemala |
|
Becky Trickett, a major in social work and biblical and theological studies, spent time at Focus on the Family Institute in Colorado Springs, Colo., during her junior year. "I was challenged to look at every area of my life through a biblical worldview. My peers and professors stretched me, encouraged me, challenged me, and walked with me through a time of transformation and growth." During January term (interim), 206 students will take part in off-campus study programs. This spring, 68 Bethel students will do the same. Countries hosting programs include: |
 Guatemala |
 Greece |
|
Argentina Australia Belize Canada Chile China Dominican Republic Ecuador Egypt Germany Greece Guatemala India Ireland Italy |
Hong Kong Japan Korea Lithuania Netherlands New Zealand Philippines South Africa Spain Turkey Uganda United Arab Emirates United Kingdom United States |
Spring Break Mission Trips
Many Bethel students will take part in mission trips during spring break, March 19-27.
"The Student Missions Project exists because in Bethel's Office of Campus Ministries, we know that students' spiritual lives are transformed on short-term mission trips," explained Matthew Runion, assistant campus pastor. "Students learn about the global Body of Christ and how their lives can be used to advance God's kingdom. Mission trips provide a unique setting for God's Holy Spirit to change the hearts of Bethel students."
The information below indicates how many team members are needed for each location.
Appalachia (18)
Chihuahua, Mexico (55)
Dominican Republic (20)
Mexico City (20)
Minneapolis (10)
Salt Lake City, Utah (15)
YouthWorks (10)
Habitat for Humanity (30)
Bethel Fund: Keeping Christian Education Affordable
Did you know that:
- Bethel's tuition ranks in the lowest quarter among Minnesota's 17 private colleges? Bethel aims to keep tuition as low as possible so that the greatest number of students may benefit from a Christian higher education. Contributions to the Bethel Fund, the institution's annual fund, help make this possible.
- Tuition meets only about 80-85 percent of the actual cost of educating a Bethel student? The $3.3 million that the Bethel Fund must raise by May 31, 2005 will bridge the gap between what tuition covers and the total operating budget.
- More than 90 percent of all day school students will receive some type of financial aid this year. Bethel University is responding to the continued need for assistance by families, and is working to make Bethel as competitive as possible in recruiting the most academically qualified students, regardless of their financial circumstances.
The annual fund enables Bethel to retain and attract outstanding faculty who are the best within their chosen profession. Some of the areas that depend on support from gifts to the Bethel Fund include: innovative academic programs, student scholarships, spiritual formation opportunities, faculty enrichment, physical improvements and maintenance, and much more.
Questions? Contact the Office of Development at 651.635.8050 or development@bethel.edu.
Parents Weekend: Something for Everyone
Picture this: autumn in Minnesota, 60 degree temps, beautiful sunshine, fabulous fall colors, and the Bethel University campus buzzing with more than 600 parents. Parents Weekend 2004 (Nov. 5-7) was filled with activity and began with a lively Bethel Jazz Orchestra concert performed by students in Benson Great Hall. Saturday, a gorgeous day, kicked off with a breakfast for the parents in the Dining Center, followed by numerous parent seminars. The day continued with a picnic lunch, immediately followed by an action-packed football game at Royal Stadium where Bethel beat Augsburg 24-10. Go Royals! Saturday evening wrapped up with a Department of Music concert in Benson Great Hall showcasing student performances by the Bethel Choir, Orchestra, and Wind Ensemble. Sunday morning worship service in the Great Hall rounded out Parents Weekend activities.
—Kevin Johnson '94, Director of Alumni and Parent Services Programming
A Student's View of Bethel
"I am not claiming that Bethel is the only college where you can experience God. I know that you can grow in your faith anywhere, despite or because of any circumstances...
[But] We have a tremendous opportunity to set the foundation of our lives firmly on God's Word and promises. And we have 2,000+ peers who, to varying degrees, support us and are attempting to do the same thing. Four years later, we should get something out of this place that can't be hung up on the wall of our office or home. We should be seeking opportunities to grow closer to the heart of God through relationships with His children. There are no more powerful relationships than those firmly planted in His love."
—Jesse Hudson C '05, Views columnist, "The Real Bethel Community," Clarion (Bethel's student newspaper), November 3, 2004
Bethel Parent
Bethel Parent is published four times a year for parents of Bethel University students. It includes stories about students, information about campus events, and opportunities for involvement at Bethel.
Office of Alumni and Parent Services:
Joe LaLuzerne C'88, Vice President for Alumni and Parent Services
651.638.6462 • email: parents@bethel.edu
Editor: Patty Thomson; Writers; Amy Stroman '07, Lisa Stauter '06, Kevin Johnson '94
Designer: Thomas Vukelich '82
Staff Photographer: Woody Dahlberg '69