Name: Caleb Voth ‘15, Cody Voth ‘14-‘15, Tyler Barnes ‘12-‘14
Tell us about your career and what you do now.
Caleb
Well, what I do sounds complicated from the outside, but each role truly complements the others. I own a marketing company called Valiant Branding. I started it about a year ago. We do web design, social media marketing, and visual branding for companies across the country. I am also the Creative Director at Cavetime, Inc. Under the umbrella of Cavetime, we created a documentary called, The Trip: Mountains & Manhood. It is a backpacking documentary that tells the story of how this excursion led one man out of a heroin addiction and back into relationship with his father through the avenue of the wilderness. Unrelated to the roles above, I am in a country music group called VOTH – composed of my three siblings and myself. We have been back and forth from Nashville to Tulsa recording and meeting with producers/labels.
Cody
I work for Cavetime, Inc. Cavetime was started by my father in 2011 and has been a way of life for my family since as long as I can remember. As a team (Cavetime), we travel across the world because we are passionate about helping men find their true identity in Christ, and using Biblical models of men who stood as healthy “walls” in their lives to protect, provide, and worship on behalf of their Savior. We do this through worship, events, camping, fishing, hunting, and many other avenues.
Tyler
After graduating college, I spent over a year running operations for Cavetime. Now I serve as an at-large board member. I am currently a Quality Operations Analyst where I focus on improving products and processes through the testing of materials, communicating with suppliers/customers, and interacting with employees.
What is your favorite memory from Evangel?
Caleb
One of my favorite memories from Evangel would have to be the biscuits and gravy. It sounds so weird, but I miss the biscuits and gravy in the morning.
Cody
My favorite memory from Evangel would most definitely be EVERY MEAL! I absolutely loved walking to the cafeteria each day and having a time of rest with my friends. It was truly like one big family coming together to eat a meal. I’m feeling all nostalgic just thinking about it.
Tyler
My favorite memory from Evangel is the Christian community that surrounded me. Because a healthy lifestyle was so easily and intentionally cultivated, it helped me establish that in my personal life.
How did Evangel help you identify/develop your calling?
Caleb
My time at Evangel showed me how to hone in on a direction (life theme) rather than a specific career. I knew that I had a natural inclination towards business, but I had to look deeper at the themes around business – creativity, communication, rhetoric, storytelling, marketing, etc. It opened my eyes and showed me that each of these elements of business is in every industry. If I could learn to be a good communicator, a good storyteller, a hard worker, then it could lead me beyond having just a “job” and truly creating a life I loved. Evangel showed me how to step outside that box and develop umbrella skills necessary for multiple roles.
Cody
Evangel helped me to realize I serve a God who directs in unordinary ways. He loves to encourage His children. Evangel helped me to realize and gain the peace that comes with understanding this.
Tyler
Evangel helped me develop my calling by giving me a firm foundation to the start of my adult life. Biblical truth and godly people to surround me and better me, for not only my time at Evangel, but for years to come.
How did your experience at Evangel prepare you for life after graduation?
Caleb
One thing Evangel really taught me was time management and focus. I think there is so much pressure (even at eighteen) to need to know what career you want to have for the rest of your life. For me, success was just learning how to get myself out of bed and do my own laundry! I had people around me talking about medical school and law school and I had no idea what my next step was. Evangel taught how to stay in my lane and not look at where others were at around me. Comparison is truly the thief of joy and we can get so caught up in this day and age by measuring our success compares to others. Who says what is successful? You have to define what a success is for you and strive towards that each day.
Cody
Evangel helped me prepare myself for a joyful life. The staff, professors, and my fellow classmates helped me to remember God promises HIS strength through HIS joy.
Tyler
My time at Evangel prepared me for post-graduation by molding my character, testing my discipline, and offering support through reality-based classes with such a solid campus staff.
What advice would you give a current student preparing for the workforce?
Caleb
Take yourself seriously. What I mean by that is understand that the habits and traits you are developing now can and will carry over into your adulthood. Realize that life is layered in seasons and what you plant now in this season will grow in the next. The majority of students kick back in college assuming something will fall in their laps and the sad truth is, it probably won’t. The ones who sit back now will someday be working for the ones who don’t. Just remember, Mark Zuckerberg started, developed, and launched Facebook while he was in college.
Cody
Choose peace! This is so much easier said than done, but when deciding we choose peace, the strength and joy of Christ follow. It truly is an everyday decision, but it’s so worth it.
Tyler
Connections and personality will get you a job, but character will get you a promotion.
What would you look for if you were in a position to hire new graduates from Evangel?
Caleb
First is the willingness to learn. Most of what your degree is certifying you for is the ability to be taught and the capacity to complete something. That is what a degree tells me about someone. They can stay committed to a task and they can be taught. Those two traits alone are worth an interview. Secondly, an openness to work outside of your comfort zone and area of study. Statistically, most students will graduate and walk into a job that is not in their field of study. Learn to take those jobs, develop your skills arsenal, and when you apply for the job you really want – you now bring to the table a whole set of skills that compliment what really wanted to do in the first place. Fear is the number one hindrance towards success. The second in my opinion is complacency. Never stop learning. Never stop moving. Never stop trying new things. Every job you take, every person you meet, and every city you visit will develop you into a powerful and knowledgeable arsenal that will someday be an asset for the job of your dreams. The fun part is that you may just have to create that job for yourself.
Cody
Simple – Does this person reflect a passion for life? Not just for a career, but for other people and the things in life that help to sustain happiness?
Tyler
As an employer, I would look for experience, motivation, and the right mindset.
To find out more about Cavetime, check out www.cavetime.org. For updates on their documentary, The Trip: Mountains & Manhood, stay tuned www.thetrip.film. In just a few months, you’ll be able to listen to Caleb and Cody’s music (vothmusic.com).