The mission statement for the Baker University College of Arts and Sciences states that BU will “prepare students for a lifetime of continued intellectual, professional, and personal development. Graduates will be responsible global citizens who think critically, communicate effectively, act ethically, serve generously, and live fully.”

While all of this can be done during a student’s time at Baker, we all know that learning is done outside the classroom.

Take senior Gloria Atanmo for example.

Her work outside the classroom for ViSalus, a nutrition company, has helped her win $10,000 and an iPad 2. Through her work with ViSalus she’s on her way to shopping for a BMW.

She’s well on her way to becoming a ‘responsible global citizen who thinks critically, communicates effectively, acts ethically, serves generously, and lives fully.’

Then there’s senior Ryan McCluney.

We all can imagine the kind of work it takes to be the House Director of a fraternity. Aside from his job as a House Director McCluney is also working at the Franklin County Juvenile Detention Center.

Through his jobs, McCluney is able to work with young men, both at the fraternity and the Juvenile Detention Center.

He’s learning about communicating effectively and what it means to balance your time between different responsibilities.

McCluney is on his way to becoming a ‘responsible global citizen who thinks critically, communicates effectively, acts ethically, serves generously, and lives fully.’

The same goes for junior Caleb Watts, who outside the classroom works in the youth development department with the Sporting Kansas City soccer team.

Watts manages his time between classes, being the Baker University Student Senate President and his internship duties.

Each week, Watts spends hours working for the Sporting KC team, doing anything from working in the youth development office, to booking flights for the Sporting Kansas City Juniors.

Watts will graduate as a ‘responsible global citizen who thinks critically, communicates effectively, acts ethically, serves generously, and lives fully.’

There are just some things that you can’t learn in the classroom, and having a job outside your classes, like Atanmo, McCluney and Watts, can teach you some of those skills.

These three BU students will walk away from their Baker experience having worked in the real world, and learned to manage their time, as well as their finances.

Having a job outside of your classes can be hard.

Some may say it’s even impossible to juggle campus activities, classes and for some, even sport team commitments.

But think about Atanmo, McCluney and Watts.

They are all doing it, and so can you.

Learning to balance time between classes, outside involvement and a job will all help BU students to be ‘responsible global citizens who think critically, communicate effectively, act ethically, serve generously, and live fully.’

And that’s exactly what Baker wants us to do, right?