What is it?
The Diakonia project, a component of the Lilly initiative Discovering and Claiming Our Callings, invites selected students to enroll in two courses simultaneously: a half-credit seminar and a one-credit internship. Students receive a stipend equivalent of $750 for their participation in the project. (Some departments don't offer internships; others regularly offer half-credit internship.)

Why are we doing it?
Diakonia means (roughly) work, service, and ministry. The project is intended to help students identify and pursue a sense of vocation by connecting their intellectual, personal and professional interests with a broader sense of purpose in work.

The point of the seminar is to foster exploration of the meaning of work and its connection to our lives; the point of the internship is to offer students a paid opportunity to explore “non-traditional” professions, particularly in the non-profit arena, or to explore how “traditional” or for-profit professions serve people or make the world a better place.

Who and how?
The selection process will be competitive and open to all rising third- and fourth-year students who meet their departmental internship requirements. An application form for students will be available from Dr. Bartel and from the Callings website (contact information below). Roughly twelve students will be selected for each semester, Fall and Winter; selection will be by committee, comprised of members from the advisory board of Discovering and Claiming our Callings.

For further information, contact Dr. Dan Kittle.

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