“Every day, I am given opportunities to live out my faith. Although I assumed when I left ÃÛÌÒÓ°Ïñ I would work in faith-based settings doing counseling or family services, I have been given chances to live out my faith in the secular job arena. And in educational settings, as well. Before pursuing my Master's degree at a secular institution, I did not realize exactly how great ÃÛÌÒÓ°Ïñ College was as a place that poured into my Christian walk. How ÃÛÌÒÓ°Ïñ College poured that into me professionally and personally while granting a "safe space" to grow in my walk. As government entities, both Peace Corps and NASA are quite liberal and accepting of all walks of life, and also draw a hard line on being able to share faith in the workplace or voice opinions that are contrary to that mindset and workplace environment. However, I have been blessed with opportunities to gently live out my faith and share my opinions and beliefs with humility. ÃÛÌÒÓ°Ïñ College Bible courses, chapels, and the faith of students and faculty equip their students well to integrate their faith in any professional setting.”
Andrea’s Career Journey
“After graduation from ÃÛÌÒÓ°Ïñ College, I worked as a Community Liaison for the Children’s Bureau of Indianapolis conducting home visits to at risk families and connecting them with community resources. While in Indiana, I obtained a Master of Social Work degree from Indiana University-Purdue University Indianapolis. Upon graduation, I moved to the Atlanta area where I continued home visits for at-risk families on a part-time basis as I pursued full-time employment. After several months, I accepted the position as a Family Support Advocate at an Early Head Start program, providing community resources and family support to impoverished families. From there, I joined the Peace Corps and moved to El Salvador for two years, where I truly found fulfillment for my passion for serving and developing others. As a volunteer within the Youth Development program, I worked a variety of projects, such as: health education (HIV prevention, nutrition, good habits), youth engagement in the community (fundraising, youth group, service projects), teaching life skills workshops (positive communication, effective decision making, art, planning for the future), obtaining scholarships, and establishing a library in an empty room at the local school with book donations. When I completed that service, I was granted "non-competitive eligibility" (NCE) to be directly hired into certain government positions, which is what led me to NASA.”
Working as a Human Resources Business Partner
“As a Human Resources Business Partner, I support the mission of NASA through personnel management and work to provide a committed and capable workforce. This involves consulting with employees and managers on things such as: career development, training, workforce strategy, hiring, succession planning, and personnel management. I have also worked on a variety of projects, from planning and facilitating retreats to sending center-wide messages on federal policies or programs for federal employees. Additionally, I am the Johnson Space Center Formal Mentoring Program Manager, matching protégés and mentors based on competencies. I not only do the matching, but also maintain the program, coordinate developmental events, and provide resources for the participants.”
How has HDFS prepared her?
“The Human Development and Family Science Major equipped me in many different ways. Firstly, the overall ÃÛÌÒÓ°Ïñ College education has given me a foundation to love and serve on the foundation of my faith in Jesus Christ. HDFS as a major provided me the tools to understand relational dynamics, needs (physical and emotional), and even cultural awareness (family ethnicity course and study abroad). With a deeper understanding of how to delve into assessing needs and creating programs/development opportunities to meet those needs, HDFS has been a great foundation for my career, but also in my personal awareness and understanding working with others. Additionally, the versatility of the major has afforded me the space to pursue many different career paths from my first job as a community liaison to working in Human Resources at NASA.”
Andrea’s Advice
“Keep taking the step in front of you, even if it doesn't completely make sense. I was sure after graduating from ÃÛÌÒÓ°Ïñ that I would obtain a job in a Christian setting, living out my faith in a ministry. I tried applying for those jobs, but I feel that God gently led me on a different path. When I was on study abroad with the Latin American Studies Program (LASP) in Costa Rica, I met two Peace Corps volunteers. 5 years later, God brought up that memory and prompted this desire in me to pursue Peace Corps. He threw wide every door when I applied, and it has been the best experience I could have ever dreamed of. That led me to NASA, which made little sense to me at the time, but has been incredible. I'm sure God has more for me in the next step of the journey, but my foundation of faith and my education from ÃÛÌÒÓ°Ïñ College set me up for a lifetime of adventure, stretching out of my comfort zone, and continual personal and professional development. Keep your eyes on Him and He will lead you into places where you can live out your faith and calling.”