Cassie Folsom

Occupation

Hospitality Industry

How do you define "vocation"?

Vocation to me means the job you are interested in for your career path after graduation.

How has your faith influenced your major choice and/or career decisions?

My faith has influenced my life greatly since the day I can remember. I have had adversity throughout my life that has made me who I am today. A close friend once said to me, "Adversity makes you stronger," and I truly believe it does. During my freshman year at Samford I attended Jan Term and the first few days were miserable. I was the only one on my hall and it seemed sometimes the only one on campus. At first I considered this a great concern, but quickly realized it was a great time to do some soul searching and figure out who I was and what I truly wanted to be when "I grew up." I ended up graduating from Samford with a Business Management degree and many wonderful friendships that I know will last a lifetime. I have taken this experience and it has helped me through choosing my job search and "the job I have always dreamed of having." My faith in God has been the reason I have made it and continue to press on each and every day of my life towards my goals.

How has your Christian identity shaped your sense of self and awareness of your spiritual gifts?

I grew up in the Methodist church in my hometown and loved Sunday school, vacation Bible school and children's church. As far back as I can remember I loved Sundays and going to church to see the friends I had there that went to other schools in town. As I got older I began helping out in nursery, children's church and Bible school and loved every minute. I came to Samford from attending public schools all of my life to a private college with a Christian affiliation and feeling somewhat overwhelmed by the culture shock. It truly was a great time for me to realize how truly important God had always been in my life and was even more so now as a college student. I have always been the type of person who was willing to help as needed and love meeting people from all walks of life. These personality traits are what I think of as my spiritual gifts and my love of people and helping out as I can.

Please share your personal and work related values as they relate to your vocation.

I am a people person and thrive off of being around people. I also enjoy a positive attitude. I have always been a positive person and like being part of a positive environment. As we all know in the "ideal world", that would take place, but reality is both positive and negative in today's world. Graduating from a Christian affiliated college and now working in the hospitality industry has been a true culture shock, but a one that I have grown greatly from over the past three years. Each day when I wake up, I thank God for another day and when I arrive at work I try to lead by example as best as I can in the diverse environment in which I work. I am fortunate to have my foundation of Christianity and let God's work shine through me.

What words of wisdom would you like to share with others searching for their personal calling?

"Always be a dreamer" is the quote I have taken over the past year. I have realized through my time after college that the sky truly is the limit and you can only reach your potential if you are willing to go through adversity to arrive. As Christians we are fortunate to have God as our father and we need to share our faith with others as opportunities present themselves. My parents have always said since I can remember, "Be yourself." I never knew what that truly meant until I went off to college and now in my career and it is true. Finally, enjoy each day and work in an environment that, on any given day, you can take a step back and realize, "I love what I am doing in my life."