"The Lord gives strength to his people; the Lord blesses his people with peace."  —Psalm 29:11

The word transition calls to mind many things—change, passage, movement—but rarely the concept of peace.  Changing your careeer path can be difficul, challenging, and emotional, yet helping you find peace in that process is the goal of the Career Transition Program.

Supported by a partnership between Wisconsin Lutheran College and Wisconsin Lutheran Child & Family Service (WLCFS), the Career Transition Program has been developed to assist you as you navigate this complex and challenging time.

Whatever the reason for your move out of the public ministry, the Career Transition Program is here to help. Committed Christian counselors who know and understand the significance of this change are available to assist you as you make that move, adjust to the life changes, and find peace.

The Career Transition Program Approach

The Career Transition Program has two basic components that can be delivered in a number of ways.

Transition Consultation

One helpful component of transition assistance is emotional support.  Making the transition out of the public ministry can be emotional and stressful to called workers and their families. The goal of transition consultation is to listen, comfort, and encourage you as you deal with this change.

Many participants find the transition consultation session(s) with professional therapists from WLCFS to be extremely valuable in helping them discuss and cope with their feelings about leaving the public ministry.

Career Counseling

The second component of the career transition process focuses on helping individuals determine their next career.  Career counseling includes an individual assessment of your career interests and skills and access to valuable job search resources.  The program is marked at every level with personal attention and encouragement from a trained, caring, Christian professional.

All participants will work closely with Wisconsin Lutheran College's director of Career and Field Services to develop skills and confidence in the following areas:

• Resume writing
• Conducting a job search
• Networking
• Interviewing

Taking Advantage of the Career Transition Program

You can take advantage of both transition consultation and career counseling services in three different ways, depending on your needs.  The number of sessions is unique to each individual and can be determined in collaboration with your counselor.

Distance Counseling

Distance Counseling allows a counselor to meet with you via telephone, video conference, and/or e-mail message exchange.  Typically, distance counseling takes place once a week for 60 to 90 minutes. 

On-Site Counseling

If you prefer to meet in person, on-site counseling is available at Wisconsin Lutheran Child & Family Service and at Wisconsin Lutheran College, both located in Milwaukee, Wisconsin.  The on-site component can be completed in a one-day format if you live outside of the Milwaukee area or in 60- to 90-minute sessions once a week if you live nearby.

Transition Seminars

The Career Transition Program also offeres group seminars at various times throughout the year.  The group size is limited, allowing counselors adequate time with both the group and each individual.

Each two-day seminar covers all the information that is typically included during on-site or distance sessions.  Additionally, it offers the advantage of mutual support and encouragement that many participants rate as invaluable.  Various professionals present information on different career or transition topics.  During each seminar there is time reserved for participants to meet with career counselors on an individual basis to help them identify their unique career aspirations and develop a plan in reaching their goals.

Cost

The program is open to called workers who are leaving the ministry and are referred by a District President or District Help Team Chairman.  For more information on expenses related to this service, contact your District President.

For more information regarding the Career Transition Program, please contact:

Dan Nommensen
Career Transition Program Coordinator
1-888-685-9522, ext. 209
dnommensen@wlcfs.org