How Bethel prepares students like Eli Nowacki ’27 for a confident future
By Macey Heath, social media content specialist
April 10, 2018 | 12 a.m.
Eli Nowacki '27
Balancing leadership, learning, and calling
As a business major with emphases in finance and analytics, student leader, and member of the Royals football team, Eli Nowacki ’27 stays busy on and off the field. He serves as the team’s kicker, works on the risk and operations team for the Royals Investment Fund, and holds the finance executive role for Bethel Student Government (BSG). He’s also active in BethelBiz’s professional mentorship program.
Nowacki sees every role as a way to put his learning into action. “The BSG finance position felt like a calling,” he says. “It’s a way I can serve others using my skill set—I wanted to use my gifts to help the student body.”
Bethel stood out to Nowacki early on. “When I visited Bethel, I loved the football team—and more than that, the community,” he says. The decision became even easier when he explored the business programs. “Bethel’s business programs are stellar—from the professors and class sizes to the rankings,” he says. “Our analytics and finance programs are both highly rated, and employers clearly value Bethel alumni.”
Career support that goes beyond the classroom
Although he’s highly involved across campus, Nowacki didn’t initially realize how impactful The Studio for Vocation and Calling would be in shaping his Bethel experience.
After working on his resume with a professor, she encouraged him to schedule a session with The Studio. “She said, ‘If you ever need more help, check out The Studio.’ So I booked a session through Handshake, a career management and job search platform. Once I started going there, I kept going back.”
The Studio serves as a cornerstone of the Bethel Career Commitment—a bold promise that career preparation is embedded into every College of Arts and Sciences student’s experience. From day one, students receive ongoing support to stay on track with their career goals. There’s no extra application, just a built-in structure designed to launch students confidently into their futures.
Nowacki’s experience with The Studio was recently featured on WCCO, alongside Stan Thompson, director of vocation, pathways, and partnerships, who shared more about the Bethel Career Commitment and how The Studio’s resources support this guarantee.
From resume rewrites to real-world readiness
Like many students, Nowacki walked into The Studio motivated—but unsure where to begin. “I had no clue what I was doing at first,” he says. “I just needed help making my resume look right.”
That first visit led to a series of sessions that changed how he saw himself—and his potential. “They didn’t just help fix my resume,” he says. “They helped me understand what employers look for—and how to show that I’m ready for real work, not just class projects.”
With support from dedicated career staff, Nowacki learned how to highlight leadership roles, trim outdated content, and translate his athletics and student government experience into marketable skills. “I realized football and BSG weren’t just things I did—they taught me teamwork, accountability, and communication,” he says. “The Studio helped me see how to explain that to employers.”
He also gained confidence through mock interviews and coaching. “They taught me how to talk about myself in a confident but professional way,” he says. “It’s weird at first—learning to tell your story—but it’s made all the difference.”
And it worked. “I started getting interviews,” he says. “If I hadn’t gone to The Studio, I wouldn’t have been ready. I wouldn’t have known how to get noticed.”
Confidence built one conversation at a time
Every session gave Nowacki new tools—and a clearer sense of direction. “I never left thinking it was a waste of time,” he says. “Every time, I walked out more prepared.”
What stood out most was the personal investment from the staff. “You can tell they really care,” he says. “They’re not just checking boxes. They take the time to listen and help you feel ready.”
That support helped him shift from uncertainty to assurance. “They’ve helped me feel more confident in where I’m going,” he says. “I know who I am and what I want to do—and that’s something I didn’t have before.”
Nowacki encourages other students to start early. “Everyone wants a job after graduation. And The Studio for Vocation and Calling helps you get where you want to go.”
Ready to launch your career with purpose?
Bethel’s Studio for Vocation and Calling offers career coaching, mock interviews, mentorship, and real-world skill-building rooted in Christ-centered values. It's a key part of the Bethel Career Commitment—ensuring every student is equipped to pursue their calling with confidence.