Recently, I was privileged to help with the awesome Career Transition Support Ministry at Cornerstone Evangelical Presbyterian Church in Brighton Township, Michigan.

The program has evolved since its beginning. Its current components include an eight-week session covering a range of relevant topics, supplemented by other optional resources, such as counseling on budgeting and finances, and a Stephen Ministry program for emotional support.

On the introductory night, program administrator Cindy Karns provides an overview of the content. The following week, participants complete a Myers-Briggs assessment. Olds explained that the Myers-Briggs assessment helps participants recognize their strengths and passions. It could suggest a previously unrecognized path for a job seeker.

Two sessions are devoted to developing and reviewing resumes, one session addresses effective networking, and two sessions offer guidance on interviewing. As part of the interviewing segment, participants are offered the opportunity to be videotaped, and they’re then debriefed.

The final session discusses options in entrepreneurship.

“When one door closes, another may open. Entrepreneurship may be an option,” said Olds.