As a university, Bluffton’s mission is to prepare students for life as well as vocation. While classes are one way the institution works to reach this goal, another is by helping students realize, what exactly, they want to do with their lives. Shari Ayers, director of the Center for Career and Vocation, helps the university with this goal as well. There’s only one problem: Ayers’ last day on campus will be Sept. 13.
“I’ve been here since November 2013 and have always held this position,” said Ayers. “I’ve had other roles alongside this one for different periods, working with the Learn and Earn program and the Organizational Management program for adults who are completing their degree.”
Ayers said she chose to take her current job due to having enjoyed working in career and enrollment at a graduate school in Columbus, Ohio. She said she decided to change to working with undergraduates due to the variety of directions an undergraduate’s life might take. As for why she chose Bluffton, there was one major reason: community.
“I loved Bluffton’s mission and the people I met on campus,” said Ayers. “I also loved the fact that the Center for Career and Vocation combined the typical work of a career center with the deeper conversations about identity, call, service, community, choosing a major and the big ‘What am I going to do with my life?’ questions.”
Ayers said her next step, however, is not higher education, but ministry.
“I will be serving as an interim pastor at a Lutheran church in Wooster, Ohio,” said Ayers, who is ordained in the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America. “I’ve been in higher education for about 13 years, but before that, I was a parish pastor.”
However, even after Ayers leaves, the Center for Career and Vocation will still exist, and Ayers will still provide services for students until a new director arrives.
“The plan is for me to be available in the interim by email, FaceTime, Skype or Zoom for students to review resumes, cover letters and personal statements, or to create job search and grad school prep plans,” said Ayers.
Students may email Ayers at ayerss [at] bluffton.edu to schedule an appointment for one of these meetings or to get assistance with their job search documents.
Senior special education major Leslie Beasley, photo by Nathan Heinze
Both senior special education major Leslie Beasley and senior history and bible and theology major Tim Bender, who had been introduced to Ayers when Ayers presented at their Becoming a Scholar classes, recalled how helpful she was during their time at Bluffton.
“I interacted with her a lot when I was kind of contemplating changing my major and then writing some essays for scholarships and grants,” said Beasley. “I would go when I had pressing questions, or even when I felt like I had pressing questions coming up. In hindsight, I would’ve liked to have met with her more.”
Beasley said Ayers once helped her for more than an hour on an essay to apply for a cross-cultural grant.
Bender said Ayers told him about the Sovereign Discovery Grant, which allowed him to explore his interests; particularly, Bender accompanied pastors, working within a church organization, and job shadowing immigration lawyers.
Senior history and bible and theology major Tim Bender, photo by Nathan Heinze
“It was really nice to know that there was someone there that cares as much about your future as you cared about it,” said Beasley. “I’m going to miss her a lot, just seeing her smiling face around campus.”
Bender echoed Beasley’s thoughts.
“I’m going to miss Shari a lot, but I’m also really excited for her to take on this new opportunity,” said Bender.
Likewise, Ayers said that what she’ll miss most about Bluffton is the people she has met.
“I have loved working with students and will miss being part of such important and sacred vocational conversations,” said Ayers. “I will also miss my colleagues — the Bluffton faculty and staff are the very best. They have challenged me, encouraged me and made me laugh on nearly every day I’ve been here. I can’t imagine ever working with a more dedicated, gifted and capable group of people.”
