Graduates Share Their Journeys Toward 'Meaningful Lives'

CALLED: A WEEK OF PURPOSE

Radwan is one of three alumni who shared their career journeys at UMHB’s Called: A Week of Purpose—an annual event featuring exhibits, speakers and musical programs designed to bring awareness to the campus initiative, which launched in 2015. Vocaré: The UMHB Meaningful Life Initiative helps students explore and find their calling, or purpose, in life using their unique gifts, talents and abilities. The vision of Called is to enable students to live meaningful lives that fulfill the will of God and contribute to the common good.

Radwan joined fellow alumnae Kirstie Wallace ’16 and Dr. Hannah John ’18 during the 2023 Called event to share with students their personal journeys in discerning their vocations and living meaningful lives.

FINDING CALLING IS A 'LIFELONG PURSUIT'

For Kirstie Wallace, who works in Dallas as an attorney for the global law firm Baker Botts, counseling and advising clients through stressful and difficult situations (while upholding truth and justice) is meaningful work for her.

“Since the percentage of our lives that we spend at work is undoubtedly significant, it was important to me to feel like I was employing my gifts and investing my time in work that I found fulfilling,” the 2016 UMHB graduate said.
However, she’s also quick to point out that the idea of “calling” is much broader than simply one’s career. Finding meaning and purpose in life is a “lifelong pursuit,” she says.

“When we concentrate our worth and identity too heavily in one specific area, it can be really damaging when ‘life happens,’” she said. “We also sell ourselves short and don’t allow ourselves to experience the full richness of life.”

Wallace told students to remember this piece of advice: “Trust God, yourself, your mentors and your loved ones,” she says. “You’ll find your way, and the journey—no matter how circuitous—is a critical part of the process. Embrace the uncertainty; don’t resist!”

ALL ABOUT BALANCE

For Dr. Hannah John, who works as a physical therapist in an inpatient rehabilitation hospital in Dallas, showing kindness, providing encouragement and caring about her patient’s comfort is a key part of her job which she finds fulfilling.

“I feel like God has given me big dreams in this area, and I feel His purpose for me inside it,” said the 2018 UMHB graduate. “But my calling is to glorify God, and that is so much bigger than my job.”

She told students that growing as a person is just as important as growing in your career field.

“I still struggle with questions like, ‘How much of myself do I give to my job and how much to serving God in other ways?’ and ‘Am I living to work, or working to live?’”

It’s all about balance, she explains.

“I think living in your calling is a process that continues after leaving college,” John said. “You can find a job that you love and that ministers to the world around you, which would be incredible. But on that journey, don’t forget that you will have opportunities to minister to the world in your workplace, with your family and friends, or even at the grocery store.”