Grinnellians often feel cursed when it comes to a calling. When alumni are asked how they got to their current position in life they most often respond, 'You wouldn't believe me if I told you!', shake their heads and laugh. Working with thousands of Grinnellians reveals a system to the chaos and intent to their serendipity. This session will explore how Grinnellians break free of well-socialized thinking about work to pursue lives filled with passion, play and pay. It will identify key issues that present barriers to Grinnellians in finding vocation; features of the Grinnell culture that facilitate finding vocation; and a simple strategy for making sense out of what happens during four years at Grinnell that leads to vocation.


Steve Langerud, associate dean for experiential education, has worked with over 15,000 people making work and life transitions. Steve has written on school-to-work programs and cultural reentry issues; co-authored an award-winning guide to career decisions; and is featured by organizations including the Departments of Economic Development and Education, American Institute of Banking, ADM Company, and the Governor's Conference on Industry to improve employee leadership, performance, and satisfaction in the workplace. In his own search for vocation, Steve has worked as an archaeologist, street performer, carpenter, ski bum, and president of a bicycle company.


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