What is my purpose?

It’s a common query – especially among students trying to determine what comes after college.

During a February weekend, nine undergraduates explored that question in a workshop titled “Calling & The Common Good.”

The workshop, which was put on using funds from a Network for Vocation in Undergraduate Education grant, took place in various locations on and off campus. Two staff members from the Office of Mission & Identity – Amanda DeWitt, M.Div., M.Ed., MTS, and Tony M. Krzmarzick, M.Div., Director of Campus Ministry – pulled together sessions that offered thought exercises, panels of Sisters of Charity and alumni, service opportunities and reflection.

“Tony and I are passionate about helping students live lives of service through their unique gifts and passions,” said DeWitt. “The NetVUE grant provided us a fruitful opportunity to nurture lives of meaning and purpose through service and community development.”

The weekend started up the Hill at Caritas Christi. Three Sisters of Charity who represented the three focuses of early Seton Hill education spoke about their professions: Sr. Melanie Di Pietro spoke of her career in law and social service, Sr. Laura Coughlin talked about her work in education and Sr. Carole Marie Blazina reflected on her time as a nurse. The students then completed an exercise where they worked to determine the intersection of their passions and talents with what the world needs.

On Saturday morning, students gathered down the Hill at Steep Mountain Tea Company where Marcus Weakland ’17, MBA ’19 chatted about his process and goals in founding the Greensburg gathering spot with his mother.

“Any time I have the chance to talk about how business can positively impact a community – especially with students – I’m all in!,” Weakland shared. “It’s a great opportunity to share what I’ve learned and hopefully inspire students, from any major, to see how they can positively impact the people around them.”

Weakland’s message to students focused on the importance of being authentic.

“Do things just because they matter to you, not because there’s some huge goal at the end. Life isn’t just about reaching a destination; it’s about the journey and how you show up along the way,” he advised.

“It was great to see that this generation is thinking beyond profits,” Weakland added. “They’re interested in how they can build people up and create something meaningful in their careers, all while staying true to themselves and their values.”

While serving at the Westmoreland Food Bank Saturday morning, participants had a chance to talk with Jeff Abramowitz, who talked about his journey to join the organization after retiring from his legal career.

Returning to campus, they heard from physician assistant student Lance Edwards ’22, social worker Bri Leith ’22 (who Zoomed in from her honeymoon!), and music teacher Ellen Davis ’23 in the Campus Ministry Lounge, again representing the three early focuses of Seton Hill education in healthcare, social sciences and education. The alumni took time to talk about their paths after college and how to work towards making a life, not just a living.

The workshop’s theme resonated with dance choreography & pedagogy major Sage Evans as she approaches the end of her time at Seton Hill.

“Amanda and Tony warned us that this workshop wouldn’t help us find all the answers. We went to learn from people living in their calling and how they are doing it,” she said. “I knew these alumni when they were still students on campus, but it’s great to see where they are now and how they are living in the world.”

Sage has been getting more into her faith and hopes to bring together her interests in combining dance and worship arts as she looks for her next steps after graduation. Activities such as defining her values have helped her make sense of the many opportunities before her.

“I’m trying to find the career path I actually want and will find value in, beyond just money,” she said. “This workshop helped me realize that your calling isn’t something you may ever know, but every day that you are alive you have the chance to live it out.”