“When people asked me what I wanted to do when I grew up, I always told them that I wanted to be the President of the United States,” says Wesley Thompson. From Belair, Maryland, and the oldest of three brothers, Wesley certainly has high aspirations for his vocation, which were kindled during his time at Geneva College.

“I went to a private high school before I came to Geneva and when I was looking at colleges, I was really impressed with Geneva’s accredited civil engineering major. I originally majored in civil engineering, but after I took a business class, I decided that I really wanted to study that field.”

Wesley majors in Business Administration, with a concentration in International Business and a minor in Pre-Law. “I find the combination of international business and law to have a fascinating correlation with my faith. My professors do a great job in helping me see the connections in how my faith can be lived out through whatever I decide to do after I graduate from Geneva.”

Wesley has been involved in numerous academic opportunities at Geneva, which have helped shape him both spiritually and academically for a professional vocation. Wesley recently completed an internship with Justin S. Alex, Attorney at Law, in Belair, Maryland, where he received hands-on experience in the courtroom and conducted research for the firm.

“As a whole, my internship allowed me to get a taste for and build experience in the plan that God has for me. I don’t see working as a ‘job,’ but rather as an opportunity to live out my faith and be a light to the people I encounter.”

Wesley’s internship was not the only time where he received a different perspective of the world. He also joined a group of Geneva students in Rome for a study abroad opportunity, and his travels in Italy, Germany, Spain and France inspired him to add a concentration in International Business.  

“I traveled all over Europe and never thought how much my experiences abroad would change my perspective of how I live back home. Traveling and experiencing other cultures and learning from them will definitely open your eyes to how beautiful and diverse God made His creation.”

And he has taken full advantage of the opportunities that Geneva offers outside of coursework, as well. “I am a member of the Business Club, intramural basketball and football, and I am a Bible study leader in my dorm. I like to be busy, which provides more opportunities to meet new people and get more involved. I can honestly say that choosing to come to Geneva was one of the best decisions that I have ever made because the opportunities here are endless and the relationships that are made are grounded in Christ, which is incredibly valuable to me.”

-Celia Harris ’16