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Students Navigating the Future with Faith
Knowing Their Path and Moving Forward with Confidence and Hope.
“What do you want to be when you grow up?”
It’s a timeless question we’ve all been asked. For some, the answer is clear from a young age, but for others, this is a persistent struggle, even into adulthood. In our Biblically-based, research driven, comprehensive counseling program, we guide your high school students through these pivotal decisions about vocation, college, and careers, all within the light of their faith.
Here’s how we support your mission:
- Guided by Faith: VCC Counseling embraces Christian principles, helping your teenagers to align their vocation/college/career choices with their faith and values.
- Tailored Career Exploration: VCC Counseling provides personalized guidance for teens to uncover their God-given talents and explore how these can be fulfilled in their future studies and careers.
- Strategic College Planning: VCC Counseling resources and support teens in preparing for colleges that not only match their academic interests but also nurture their spiritual growth.
- Strategic Next Level Planning: VCC Counseling recognizes the rapid changes occurring in next level learning and training. Your teens explore many kinds of options including trades, non-traditional journeys. They understand the current and potential impact of AI. Our understanding and constant updating of the latest research and trends ensures that your teens will know and act on the reality that there is no one size fits all solution to the next step after high school.
- Discovering One’s Calling: VCC Counseling assists teens in finding their true calling, ensuring their calling and their career path are both meaningful and aligned with God’s plan for them.
- Partnering With Parents: We include your parents in the process allowing them to understand what the path is, how to support their child, and giving them the chance to ask questions.
- A Strategic Advantage: You market this program as a distinctive that even large schools can’t compete with.
This service is infinitely customizable to where you are as a school and what makes the best sense for you. As always, CSM strives to make you independent, not co-dependent. This is not intended to be a forever service but, rather, one where you are empowered to carry out this important work with your students yourselves.
Frequently Asked Questions
How does CSM differentiate between vocation and career?
At CSM, we define vocation as a calling from God—something rooted in His purpose for our lives. It’s about discerning how our God-given gifts, passions, and opportunities can serve His Kingdom. Vocation isn’t limited to a job; it can include roles like parenting, ministry, or community service. A career, on the other hand, is the work we do to earn a living. It’s often temporary and a tool to support the greater calling on our lives. They can of course be the same. Often they are not.
Why does this matter?
Too many teens and young adults tie their identity to their career. By focusing on vocation, we teach them their identity is in Christ, not their job title. Careers can change, but God’s calling doesn’t. This distinction helps students keep an eternal perspective and find purpose even when life doesn’t go as planned.
How is this executed in schools?
We work with schools to integrate this understanding into their processes and practices:
- Teach teens about calling through a biblical lens.
- Use tools like spiritual gifts inventories and career assessments to explore their unique design.
- Encourage service opportunities and mentorships to connect faith with practical experience.
- Counsel teens to make college and career decisions based on their calling and passions, not just salary or potential for advancement.
Our goal is to guide teens toward a life of purpose that glorifies God, whether they’re in a boardroom, a classroom, or the mission field.
If you are interested in learning more, watch the replay below and contact Daniel Simon directly at [email protected] for more information or to answer any questions.
Black Hills Christian Academy
As part of our strategic plan to enhance college readiness and student engagement, we brought Dan to BHCA for an onsite VCC training, and his visit truly was impactful. His ability to connect with students across grade levels reinforced the importance of early preparation for post-secondary pathways was impressive. Observing his interactions with students allowed us, as a team, to begin thinking about our approach in guiding students toward future success.
What made Dan’s visit even more meaningful was his ability to integrate biblical principles into career exploration. His discussions helped students see how faith can be a guiding force in their professional journeys, shaping their values, decision-making, and sense of purpose. By drawing connections between scripture and various career paths, he encouraged students to approach their futures not only with ambition but also with a commitment to integrity, service, and calling.
Dan’s session with parents was very successful. Several parents expressed their appreciation for the investment in this initiative and its importance for the future direction of BHCA.
On a personal level, I found myself both inspired and convicted through Dan’s presentations. His application of biblical truths to education and career paths challenged me to reflect on how faith should actively shape the way we mentor and guide students. It was a reminder that success isn’t solely measured by academic achievements or career milestones but by a life lived with purpose, integrity, and service to others.
Bringing Dan in was a purposeful and positive decision that we believe will impact the current and future students of BHCA. His insights, practical guidance, and ability to incorporate faith-based perspectives made a lasting impact, and I encourage other schools to maximize this opportunity.
Coulee Christian School
You will absolutely glean so much from your onsite VCC training with Dan! Dan did a kick-off at our school in early March. For me, and this is only my 2nd year in this role coming from no prior experience, it was invaluable to watch how Dan interacted with each grade of students. I gained so much more knowledge of the college application process and how the Common App works and what even younger high school grades need to be focusing on NOW to prepare for it. His meeting with the parents stirred up so many great follow-up conversations with parents and I had several parents reach out to thank our school for investing in this area. I learned so much as Dan was at our school and I feel so reassured knowing I now have an experienced contact in Dan that I can ask questions-I’m still learning so much of my role too!
Grace Christian School
This upcoming year will be my first time in a guidance counselor role as well, so I understand the nerves! My time with Dan was fabulous. We had some private training time, but the bulk of the learning came from watching him do the large group sessions, the small group sessions, and the one-on-ones. I took copious notes, but I gleaned much from watching him ask questions, and pivot accordingly as the students answered. I think the more we practice interacting with the students, the more comfortable we will be in our new roles. Like Julie, I also gleaned from Dan’s knowledge of the Common App, which I feel much more comfortable promoting having seen him show students how to use it. The session Dan had with our parents went well, and I believe got our parents excited to have specialized care for their older children as they search out what their next steps should be. Dan puts the responsibility on the student, which is important! It’s their job to do the work to prepare, but our job to help encourage and guide. Relationship building was another key takeaway. We have to love our kids, and not be afraid to speak the truth in love to them, especially reminding them how Jesus plays a key part in aligning their career and calling. Don’t be afraid to ask Dan questions, and enjoy your time with him. He felt like family by the time he left!