Solomon EgbeamaSolomon Egbeama ’15 enrolled in Bethel’s adult studies program in 2013, aiming to further his education and make a better life for himself. Egbeama, who is originally from Nigeria, worked as a health aid before earning an associate degree in automotive technology from Ivy Tech Community College. He was hoping for a career change. But though he applied for job after job, he was continually passed up by employers, without so much as an interview.

“I kept looking and could not figure out why I could not get a job,” Egbeama says. This went on for almost a year.

During a business communication class with Steve Ganger, adjunct professor and director of adult and graduate studies (AGS) career services at Bethel, Egbeama opened up about his struggle to find work in the form of a prayer request.

In addition to prayers, Ganger offered practical resources. He shared with him about a new career services initiative launched through AGS, and arranged to meet with Egbeama personally to go over his résumé. Looking at it from the perspective of an employer, Ganger was able to pinpoint areas that needed improvement and teach Egbeama how to utilize key words to make his résumé stand out.

ADULT AND GRADUATE STUDIES CAREER SERVICES Bethel’s adult and graduate studies career services office is designed specifically to meet the unique needs of alumni and adult students, with resources to assist job seekers as well as those trying to move up in their company or change careers. Services include: • Résumé and cover letter review • Interview preparation • Networking with local businesses • Job search tools • Social media training BethelCollege.edu/AGSCareerServices

ADULT AND GRADUATE STUDIES CAREER SERVICES Bethel’s adult and graduate studies career services office is designed specifically to meet the unique needs of alumni and adult students, with resources to assist job seekers as well as those trying to move up in their company or change careers.
Services include:
• Résumé and cover letter review
• Interview preparation
• Networking with local businesses
• Job search tools
• Social media training
BethelCollege.edu/AGSCareerServices

Showing him examples of industry-specific résumé samples and key words, Ganger equipped Egbeama with the tools he needed to improve his résumé. They also discussed cover letters and how to make the best first impression with an employer.

“I was able to help him make significant revisions to his résumé that helped present his strengths and future graduation from Bethel,” Ganger says.

Egbeama left encouraged and hopeful that making changes to his résumé would make a difference. It did. Within a week of applying for jobs using his new résumé, Egbeama received four calls for interviews. Within a month, he had two job offers.

Better yet, one of those offers led to a solid job as an order builder with Coca-Cola, a company he had applied to previously without any results.

Egbeama attributes his success to the grace of God and the help of Bethel’s AGS career services.

“After a long time of praying, Mr. Ganger was a godsend,” Egbeama says. “He taught me to tailor my résumé and cover letter to the employer’s expectations and to use key words —especially in the cover letter. It’s the first thing an employer sees. If they don’t like it, they won’t even look at the résumé.”

Egbeama encourages others having a difficult time finding a job to reach out and use all the resources available to them. For Bethel alumni and adult and graduate students, that includes Bethel’s AGS career services.
“Do not be discouraged. Have an open heart. Keep meeting with people and keep pressing on,” Egbeama says.

After he graduates next spring, Egbeama hopes to move into a management position at Coca-Cola, utilizing skills honed at Bethel to make a difference in his career.

Schedule an appointment with adult and graduate studies career services at 574.807.7550 or AGScareers@BethelCollege.edu.