Students discover connection between calling and career
By Luisa Singletary
Copy Editor
On Tuesday, Feb. 17, students were invited to see plastic surgery and criminal justice align during Driven: Connecting, Calling and Career, a program sponsored by Willison Hall’s Residence Life Staff.
Part of the Residence Life Growth Series, this event was held at 7 p.m. in Miller Hall. The featured guest speakers were Mr. James Tanda, Criminal Investigator, BATFE (ret) and Instructor of Criminal Justice at Waynesburg and Dr. Jeffrey Antimarino, a plastic surgeon and business owner.
Both speakers stayed true to the theme of the series and discussed how faith and hard work influenced their careers and helped in finding their calling in life.
An RA himself in Thayer, Charles Cook came to support the Res Life staff of Willison.
”I would definitely go again; it was nice to hear the stories of two very successful people and how they were able to tie faith in with their careers,” said Cook.
Junior Nursing major, Madelyn Luhrman appreciated Tanda’s presentation for its unique correlation to her life.
”My favorite part was hearing Mr. Tanda’s stories about the prison in Louisburg because it’s right behind my house,” said Luhrman.
Tanda focused largely on the poignant moments in his career, with a focus on the intentionality of his actions during difficult moments.
”I kept my sights focused along the way, I kept my work ethic strong, kept my moral compass tight, and kept making the right decision when I found those forks in the road,” said Tanda.
Tanda shared stories of tragic struggles.
Though challenging, his struggles only further solidified for him that he was on the correct path.
Tanda assured the audience that finding their calling was achievable as long as they made good decisions.
”When you come to that fork in the road, choose the right path and I promise it will come to you,” said Tanda.
Dr. Jeffrey Antimarino also shared his career journey – but instead focused on how God called him to his field of plastic surgery.
”He has a calling for each and every one of us,” said Antimarino.
God’s calling for him, however, did not match his calling for himself.
”This chose me, I didn’t choose plastic surgery,” said Antimarino, who was emphatic about his original unwillingness to work in this specific field.
”I said ‘I’ll never be a plastic surgeon,’ well, be careful about when you say never in life.”
Cook saw a glimpse of his own future in Antimarino’s stories.
”I connected mainly with Dr. Antimarino because my career goals mirror his,” said Cook, a junior biology major. “I like how he has brought a different view on plastic surgery, how it’s about the afflicted mind set and healing that not about what we see in magazines.”
Cook’s discovery of his own aspirations reflects Antimarino’s sentiments and the theme of the night.
”It’s about what works for you. Everyone has a different calling,” said Antimarino. “Each of you will have your own calling, but keep your faith central to that.”