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The journey that stirs you now is not far off.

The Odyssey, Book II, 285

Welcome to your ³Ô¹ÏÍø Odyssey

³Ô¹ÏÍø Odyssey seeks to assist and guide students as you discern your deep purpose and calling through vocational exploration, mentoring and community service. By partnering with campus and community partners, students are given ample access to explore and discover what your purpose and calling in life.

Vocation: where your deep happiness and the world's deep needs meet.*

Start Your ³Ô¹ÏÍø Odyssey

Vocational Exploration

Vocation is more than just your job. It's an internal push toward a particular kind of work and an external pull toward the needs of your community. It is your purpose, meaning, career, and everything in between.

Finding your vocation is a journey - it’s your very own ³Ô¹ÏÍø Odyssey! And like Odysseus, you’ll face obstacles along the way. You’ll solve problems, explore strange environments, and make discoveries that will eventually lead you to a life of purpose and meaning, no matter what path you choose.

Mentoring 

Mentoring is an opportunity for students to gain insight from experienced ³Ô¹ÏÍø alumni to guide you as you begin to explore different professions and opportunities. Through one-on-one alumni mentoring and job shadowing, ³Ô¹ÏÍø Odyssey provides support for more practical career and vocational exploration. Mentoring also serves to form character as students receive guidance from experienced alumni. 

³Ô¹ÏÍø Mentoring Program 

The ³Ô¹ÏÍø Mentoring Program matches experienced ³Ô¹ÏÍø alumni with students seeking guidance and wisdom as they navigate ³Ô¹ÏÍø and prepare for the next steps in their lives. The ³Ô¹ÏÍø Mentoring Program is facilitated by the Office of Alumni Relations and the Office of Personal Career Development. The program includes:

• At least four in-person or virtual meetings with your assigned mentor per academic year.
• One on-campus networking event for students and mentors each academic year.

If you are interested in participating, please email Christina Nguyen.

³Ô¹ÏÍø Job Shadowing Program 

Five to seven undergraduate students will have the opportunity to participate in a half or full day of job shadowing with organizations and corporations in the community.  Through this program, we hope that students will gain more insight into different organizations and be able to explore how they may belong. 

This program has concluded for Spring 2024. Stay tuned for the next opportunity.  Questions? Email goneill@udallas.edu. 

*Vocation definition adapted from a quote by Frederick Buechner: The place God calls you to is the place where your deep gladness and the world's deep hunger meet.

The ³Ô¹ÏÍø Odyssey Program is funded by a grant from the Council of Independent Colleges and Lilly Endowment Inc.