About My IPO
Leaping into a career can seem daunting. Will I find a job that fits with me? Will my work be meaningful? My education gave me a good understanding of my field, but what if I'm not certain about my direction? What about workplace relationships, innovation, managing finances, time management, balancing work and family? Do I have to figure all this out alone? My IPO is designed to support, encourage, and equip young men and women who are just entering their careers—their initial public offering to the world.
Interested? register below and we will respond by email within 24 hours.
Innovation, work, and theology
Modernism gave us a lot to live with, but by stripping away a theological perspective from the public sphere, it left us little to live for. GCN counters that trend by integrating the Scriptures with My IPO's forums on work, workplace relationships, and economics. This integration allows us to see God’s vast, beautiful story . . . and that helps us to see where we fit. By knowing the big picture, we can see the purpose of our professional lives.
Entrepreneurial Vision
The My IPO program includes site visits to successful start-up businesses. Entrepreneurs talk about what it takes to take a business from idea to reality, and how to develop a business that serves community needs, not just the bottom line.
Workplace relationships
All work, business, and economics are intrinsically relational . . . for better or worse. When integrity declines, trust decays. Ego and selfishness can ruin a work environment. Growing in our careers requires us to relate well with others. My IPO sessions will provide you with a practical overview of New Testament principles for developing healthy workplace relationships. By imitating Christ, we can make our workplaces more personal and healthier.
Tailored interactions with experienced professionals
My IPO participants gain a deeper understanding of how to survive and thrive in the rapidly changing global economy. Prominent business leaders share what they have learned from years of frontline experience. Depending on your interests, we tailor sessions to address issues such as: juggling family and work; time management; emotional well-being and spiritual rest; and the foundations of personal finance . . . among others!
Think!
As humans, we all face a plethora of complex ethical, economic, and spiritual questions. These questions are all interrelated, not compartmentalized. GCN board member Dr. Darrell Dooyema, who has a doctoral degree in philosophy, brings to My IPO participants and opportunity to see the intellectual solidity of the Christian world view. He also leads free-form discussions that give participants an opportunity to talk about the big questions of life and faith.
Bring Hope to Work
The modern workplace is often competitive and impersonal. Can we improve that situation? How can we represent Christ in an unreceptive professional culture. My IPO provides an opportunity to think clearly and practically about how we can “love our neighbors” at work in authentic, organic ways.
Partnership and friendship
We were not designed to go through life alone. At GCN, we believe in the scriptural principle of going through life together. So, we strongly encourage you to attend My IPO with at least one close friend from your home city. During the seminars, we will help you think about practical ways that you can develop your careers in a mutually supportive way. Professional life and friendship can and should be integrated. It just requires long-term commitment among friends.
Long-Term Support and Learning
My IPO experiences continue after the in-person events. Participants can join small monthly or quarterly virtual meetings and discussions, often with guest facilitators, about important workplace topics and the Scriptures. We also offer a personal mentoring program—at no cost—for those who need help with specific career questions. And we have a digital magazine called Work Matters that will keep you informed about major trends in economics, technology, and work—with a theological perspective.