Career Tip: Happenstance
At Morningside College, we strive to provide students with meaningful experiences, both inside and outside of the classroom, that will supplement their academic preparation, as well as prepare them for the ever-changing world of work. Specifically, I love to see students experience Happenstance. Think back to your own time as a college student. Surely there were experiences you participated in that ended up being much more impactful than you thought they would be. The theory behind Happenstance is participating in random events, with little to no expectation, and then being blown away by the spark of a new career, interest, or academic major. You can be a part of Happenstance experiences for students as well, through a variety of opportunities, both on and off campus. Here are some ideas:
- Do you volunteer in the community? Find out what the organization’s specific needs are or if they need help for a large-scale event.
- Are you willing to mentor a student? Mentoring a student takes very little time, but it is very meaningful to students in learning more about the lives they want to live, both personally and professionally.
- Does your organization have job shadowing/observation activities or internship opportunities for students? Or do you know of organizations with these kinds of opportunities?
I’m happy to field these kinds of requests and make connections between students, alumni, and the community to build opportunities for Happenstance (hays@morningside.edu). Happenstance changes people’s lives every single day, and it is truly rewarding to be a part of that.
Finally, be sure you stay connected to campus. We have tons of speakers and programs that are open not only to students on campus, but alumni and community members. Students love talking with alumni and getting their perspective, and maybe you will experience your own kind of Happenstance moment!
Stacie Hays
