Get to know Shannon Schans!

“Not how long, but how well you have lived is the main thing.” -Seneca

Shannon Schans is the Career Counselor for assessment education and career exploration at the Boerigter Center for Calling and Career. Shannon began working at Hope College in August 2015. We asked Shannon to answer 10 questions to give us the opportunity to get to know her a little better. This is what she had to say:

1. What is your role at the new Boerigter Center for Calling and Career?

I work with primarily first and second year students in the process of introducing and working through calling and vocation and major discernment.

2. What was your very first job?

I worked at Dairy Queen for most of my high school years. It was the most delicious and the most disgusting job of my life. Pro tip: Do not get a dipped cone.

3. What is the most interesting gift you have ever given someone?

I love giving personal gifts that mean something to whomever it’s going to. The gifts are never huge or expensive, but hopefully they are really meaningful. A couple of years ago, I gave my mom and my sister a necklace made from a coffee mug that belonged to my grandma. It was her trademark bright orange mug and it was always filled with coffee. When it broke, we were all pretty sad. So I sent the pieces to a jeweler on Etsy and she made necklaces for me, my mom, and my sister made from the glass.

4. What is your favorite family tradition?

My mom hosting Thanksgiving. It’s the loudest and most insane party ever, but it’s the most fun day of the year.

5. What is the weirdest food you have ever tried?

 I actually don’t think that any food is weird, it’s just different from your own normal. When I was in high school, I was an exchange student in Russia and I defiantly ate food that wasn’t normal to me, but was very normal to them! Probably tongue was the most unique.

6. What was your favorite band/singer when you were growing up?

New Kids On The Block, hands down. Hangin’ Tough since 1987.

7. Do you have any unusual phobias?

Yes. I am afraid of almost everything so if you name it, I’m probably actively avoiding it. Germs, flying, buffets…they’re all bad.

8. What is your favorite place out of all of the places you have traveled?

I have been to some lovely places, and picking just one is hard. I think Orvieto, Italy takes it though. It’s so beautiful.

9. What is one thing that you are better at than anyone else you know?

I am an excellent problem solver.

10. If you could spend the day with any celebrity, who would it be?

Ruth Bader Ginsberg, Oprah, and Michelle Obama. Can the four of us hang out?

We hope you have enjoyed getting to know Shannon Schans. We are excited to have you meet with her!

“You’ve gotta dance like there’s nobody watching” -William W. Purkey