Many students in college have a vision of themselves and their careers. And that vision is often of finding a job, and over the years moving up the corporate ladder.
Jesse Walker has a different vision.
Jesse, a senior Information Systems major in the Rankin College of Business at Southern Arkansas University, plans to attend seminary after completing his college degree. He hopes to use the knowledge that he’s gained in his business classes to help him in his work in the ministry.
“I thought the business classes would be good, going into the ministry,” said Jesse. “These classes help teach you how to deal with people.”
A 2014 graduate of Bearden High School, Jesse said he first felt called to join the ministry while in high school. While in college, Jesse has spent his summers working with the Arkansas Baptist State Convention. He devoted two summers to a children’s ministry in Norphlet.
“The minister there helped me focus in on what I needed to be doing,” said Jesse.
The college senior said it was also while he was in high school that he discovered that he enjoyed business classes.
“I took some business classes in high school. When I came to college, I began in another major and was disappointed I wouldn’t get to use my business classes from high school,” said Jesse.
Jesse said he can see how he can apply what he’s learned in business classes to helping him in his work in the ministry.
“In supply chain, I’ve learned to keep the customer happy and keep the supplier happy. In a church setting, the supplier is the community, and the customer is also the community,” said Jesse.
Jesse is the son of Darryl and Debbie Walker of Bearden. After he graduates from SAU, he plans to master in theology at the New Orleans Baptist Theology Seminary. Jesse hopes he can put his business skills to work right away by finding a job on the seminary campus in the IT department.
“I’d like to attend one year on campus, and then see where it goes from there.”
Jesse said he has enjoyed his time at the Rankin College of Business.
“The Rankin College of Business is definitely a quality education,” said Jesse. “I really enjoy the relationships I have with my professors and my fellow students.”
