Christie at Life Center

Christie Buckley had a lot of fear around going back to work. Primarily, she worried whether she could be a whole, complete person and be a good worker. In the past, she had focused on the latter at the expense of the former. “Perform, perform, perform” was her motto. She was so focused on producing that she would become agitated by interruptions. Christie did her business practicum at Life Center in children’s ministry. It was a perfect fit. “They didn’t let me stay in that worker mode.” The job wasn’t just about producing; it was about relationship – relationship with the children, the parents, the rest of the team.

A secondary fear for Christie involved working with men after being in the all-female environment of Anna Ogden Hall. She had to work with lots of men on a daily basis, and the experience changed her perspective. There was teasing and joking but respect, as well. Christie said she felt like she was part of the family.

TAKE ACTION

The business practicum is just one of several different ways companies can partner with the Vocational Advancement department. If you own a small business or hold a decision-making position in your company and think you might be interested in an employment partnership, please contact Tiffany Riddle at tiffany.riddle@ugmspokane.org.