Need a job? Read a book

“Whistle While You Work.” “Courage and Calling.” “Do What You Love and the Money Will Follow.” Do these sound like books you might want to read?

The Institute for Servant Leadership at Milligan College is developing a library to help students discover their calling in life.

“We probably have about 130 volumes right now, of career-related and calling-related information,” said ISL Director Beth Anderson.

The library was created through a grant from the Lilly Endowment, an Indianapolis-based, private foundation created in 1937 by members of the Lilly family. J.K. Lilly Sr. and his sons J.K. Jr. and Eli began the endowment through gifts of stock in their pharmaceutical business, Eli Lilly and Company, to support the causes of religion, education and community.

According to Anderson, Programs for the Theological Exploration of Vocation, the managing arm of the Lilly Endowment, provides a bibliography for all 88 schools that are benefited by the program. Anderson chose items from the list to begin the library.

“This is the first order we did,” she said, pointing to a bookshelf on the wall, “and we've spent about $1200 thus far. About $13,000 is available over the life of the grant.”

Anderson said she initially ordered about 100 volumes, and that Traci Smith, Milligan's College's director of student success, is adding to the list.

“My focus has been on books that are career-oriented,” Smith said. “One of the things I'm excited about is “'What Can I Do with a Major In…,”' a book by Lawrence and Anita Malnig. We're trying to augment our career resources, as well as provide job opportunities.”

“We have books that tell you about internships, testing and scholarships,” Anderson said. “If people are interested in small group studies or Bible studies, those reference materials are available.”

Anderson mentioned various ways of promoting the library, such as discussing resources with the resident chaplains during monthly meetings, a student-initiated book club or featured book of the month.

“Traci will feature some of the books in her online newsletter, The Loop,” she said. “Nancy Renfro is an excellent reference librarian for us. She also knew several of the titles. We tried not to duplicate what's in the (Welshimer) library, but if it's such a good book, it's good to have it easily accessible.”

Books featured in the ISL library include “The Call” by Os Guinness, “The Other Six Days” by R. Paul Stevens and “Whistle While You Work” by Richard Leider and David Shapiro.

“We are trying to identify a campus-wide text that all the freshmen can read before they come to Milligan,” Anderson said. “”Roaring Lambs” by Bob Briner would be a good one. The book they're using now in the college and calling class is “The Scandal of Service” by Jean Vanier.”

Anderson said that one thing she has learned from hearing academic dean Mark Matson and other speakers in the class is that “making a decision about your calling should be made in a Christian community. It should not be something that's done individually, in isolation.”

Matson stressed, during the keynote address at the sophomore retreat earlier this year, that students should seek feedback on their ideas for their college major, career goals and life direction.

Resources are available at the ISL library for helping students make informed decisions about their career and calling in life.

“The best way for students to find out what's here is to stop and take a look,” Anderson said.