Wise Career Choices
by
Denise Morris
on Feb 12, 2008 at 1:20 PM
When I went to college, choosing a major wasn't too difficult for me. I've known what I wanted to do ever since I plagiarized a book I'd read in order to write my first story. (The book was called Ginny Gordon and the Mystery of the Missing Candlesticks. My "original" short story was called "Daisy Sundown and the Mystery of the Missing Tiles.")
When I was 12, I had a story I wrote (all mine this time) published in American Girl magazine. In the little author interview, I said that I wanted to be a writer someday because I wanted to paint pictures with words.
Painting pictures with words has always been my goal. But even on the way to being a writer, I've had to think through career decisions -- even though I've known what I want to do, I've had to be discerning and wise about my choices.
For example, in college I chose to major in journalism instead of English. I would rather have studied English because it would've allowed for a creative writing emphasis. I would have been able to do the kind of writing I wanted to do. However I majored in journalism because I got more variety. A journalism degree would teach me how to write articles -- and I could expand my style after I knew the basics.
A journalism degree also probably allowed for more variety in job choices. I could edit, I could write, I could work for a newspaper or a magazine. Although I would've enjoyed the English degree, I thought it would limit my job opportunities to teaching. (Of course, that may not be true for everyone, but it was part of my thought process as I chose what to do with my college career.)
After college, I knew that I didn't want to write for a newspaper -- it didn't allow me to be as creative as I wanted to be. But I still applied for newspaper jobs. I was qualified for them, and they would help me pay bills. I didn't end up working for a newspaper -- the Lord blessed me with my job at TrueU, but it is good to know that I have the skills for a variety of writing jobs if and when I need to move on to something else.
The point, I guess, is that I believe it's important to think through options when looking at college classes or job opportunities. Sometimes you may choose something you're not as "passionate" about because it's a more practical choice. Reality hits in the form of rent and car payments and it's good to have made career choices that will help pay those bills.
If possible, find something you enjoy doing, but if you need to tweak it a bit for a time, that's OK. Life is long -- we have lots of seasons -- and most of us will do lots of different things over time. If you find yourself in a job you don't love at the moment, take it for what it's worth. Learn what you can, and eventually you can move on.
So, let's discuss. Do you enjoy your job? Are you happy with your career choices? What can you do to get where you want to be?
1. Holly had the following to say on Feb 12 at 1:52 PM:
This fall I'm heading off to college. That means I'm right at the start of making these choices. I also love to write, and I had the same feeling about the English major being limiting. So, I looked at other things I enjoy or am passionate about. Science has been a strong subject for me in high school, and I could never have a career that didn't involve lots of people. I'm going into nursing! I should have opportunities to write, teach, learn, and serve. All my fav things!
Pray for me, I'm not there yet!
2. Mike Theemling had the following to say on Feb 12 at 1:59 PM:
It's always been said, "Follow your passion and the money will come". Although I believe this true to some extent, I believe it's an oversimplication of things.
For example, a good friend of mine recently got a PhD in Philosophy and has been hard at work finding a tenure-track professorship. That is his passion. But not surprisingly, he hasn't been successful after many months of searching/applying for jobs. He is married and recently had an addition to the family. Do you think it's wise for him to "follow his passion" while the bills go unpaid?
Or how about those who wish to make it professional sports? For the very few that are chosen and paid millions of dollars, there are literally tens of thousands who have to go get real degrees and real jobs.
Most people in this country (and I daresay the world) aren't doing what they love. They don't "love to go into work everyday" as if it's a perpetual vacation. A few do, but most do not. Most if successful find something they reasonably like and are reasonably good at (I could love singing for example but if I have the voice of a strung-out cat what's the likelihood I could make a living off of that?).
Nether do I do buy the whole "it isn't about the money thing". If that were true, pure communism would work. Where a doctor got paid the same wage as a street sweeper. It just isn't going to happen. Ask anyone who claims they aren't "doing it for the money" would be willing to do it for minimum wage? I daresay most (not all) would not do it when the rubber hit the road.
Here's my dream job which no one would ever pay me for. Go to college full time taking classes just for the enrichment of it. I'd study everything from Electrical Engineering to Woodworking to Anthropology. I would never specialize in any one field (as some have told me I ought to go for my PhD), and would never wish to really publish anything unless really compelled to do so. Can you think of anyone would pay me a decent wage for doing that without ever producing anything in return? If you do, please send me their phone number and e-mail.
Bottom line: Find something you reasonably like, something you are reasonably good at, and something that people would pay money for.
3. Lauren had the following to say on Feb 12 at 2:17 PM:
I am currently finishing up a Ph.D. in environmental science. When I started school my family thought I was a little bit crazy and they were not quite sure what I would be able to do with my degree. But now with buzz words like superfund, mercury, cancer, environmental justice, global climate change, and an energy crisis I don't think that I will be out of a job anytime soon. Humans are always polluting and then trying to figure out what effect their actions are having on the environment, and what to do about it. I can't say I am always happy about my career choice in the day to day, but long term I do think that it was a wise direction to go in. I was able to go to undergrad on a full four year scholarship, and my advisor paid for my Ph.D., and even gave me a pretty nice stipend to boot. I have been able to buy a house and save up a little pocket change for a rainy day. My fiancé also was able to go to undergrad on a full scholarship and works as an electrical engineer. His company also paid for his master's degree. So...between the two of us we have no student loans, and two graduate degrees. I still don't know what I want to be when I grow up which is a bit of a problem since I'm almost 30, but I think that my choices for school and career had more benefits than costs. I have set myself up to get a job within the government if I so choose, and with my graduate degree no matter where I go I can always teach which is comforting. Plus when people ask me, “So do you think global warming is real?” I will actually have something half-way intelligent and informed to share with them.
4. Tom Neven had the following to say on Feb 12 at 2:22 PM:
And then there's the old German aphorism: "We grow too soon old and too late smart."
5. Jane had the following to say on Feb 12 at 2:44 PM:
you wrote for american girl? what year? i have virtually all of them between 1992 and 1999.
6. Denise Morris had the following to say on Feb 12 at 2:55 PM:
Oh gosh, maybe it was 1995? I remember it being a summer issue. The story was called "It Just Has to be a Girl." :-)
7. Carrie (the original) had the following to say on Feb 12 at 3:28 PM:
Mike,
"I could love singing for example but if I have the voice of a strung-out cat what's the likelihood I could make a living off of that?"
Ever heard of Bob Dylan?
(incredible lyrics, not-so-incredible voice)
I think there is something to be said for scrubbing toilets for awhile. There is also something to be said for aiming to make a certain amount of money every year. I think that we shouldn't be afraid of aiming for goals. I think we should also seek Christ in the mundane things. If you seek to find Christ in the most mundane tasks, your overall outlook on life might be a little bit more realistic.
8. S had the following to say on Feb 12 at 3:37 PM:
I love my job. I love the people I work with. There is no doubt in my mind that God showed me the major I should study and the job I should have.
9. Jo had the following to say on Feb 12 at 3:45 PM:
"Do you enjoy your job? Are you happy with your career choices?"
I do, and I really am. I followed my passion (BA in music performance), had no real idea of what I wanted to do afterwards and fell into a marginally related job (care work at a performing arts college for disabled people), which despite being poorly paid and not really what I want to do, has (as it turns out) given me a passion for the people I support and valuable experience for the career I'm now pursuing (MA in music therapy). On the side I'm still performing (www.annajo.co.uk) and loving it. I do think God's worked it all out far better than I could have planned it.
10. Ted Slater had the following to say on Feb 12 at 3:56 PM:
Jo -- nice music! Well-done all the way around: vocals, melodies, instrumentation, production....
11. Adi had the following to say on Feb 12 at 3:59 PM:
I too, majored in Journalism but mainly because it was practical. Now I work as a coordinator for a nonprofit org. and I enjoy it for the most part.
As I got closer to graduating from college I believe God was working and changing my passions and showing me that perhaps non profit was the way to go. I still don't know what my career will look like in five years but I have to trust that God is behind all this!
12. Jo had the following to say on Feb 12 at 4:06 PM:
Thanks Ted. :) Maybe you can review the album when it's finally finished... :P
13. Andrew (tlw) had the following to say on Feb 12 at 4:12 PM:
Mike T,
How do you manage to summarise my thoughts so often?
Even jobs we are passionate about have good and bad days. The latter out-numbers the former in my current job. I’m over-qualified, under-challenged and have a part-time hobby I’d like to career change into. Except that there are no jobs in this field in my home state. It’s a big ask to cut long-standing support networks and move the family. Where to from here?
14. Mike Theemling had the following to say on Feb 12 at 4:38 PM:
Carrie (the original),
Apparently enough people think well enough of him to buy his music.
15. Kelly had the following to say on Feb 12 at 5:04 PM:
I FULLY ADMIT I am doing my job for the money.
My passion is writing and creativity. However, I have degrees in IT/Science. To be fair, I do 'like' IT but I don't love it. I chose my degrees because they gave me a variety of career options, would be in demand, and were far more stable than creative writing.
I don't love my job, I don't hate it, it's just something I do to generate income so I can concentrate on the more important things in life like church, family and friends. :) And hey, it allows me to donate a lot more money than I would if I were a struggling author.
16. Kathryn had the following to say on Feb 12 at 5:36 PM:
I'm part way through an education degree. Like many of my peers, I didn't really know what I wanted to be when I finished high school, UNlike many of my peers, I didn't do an arts degree, wasting money until I figured it out. I worked full time at a variety of jobs until I volunteered to teach Sunday School for a term. It was there that I found out I loved teaching. I loved the kids, for a beginner I was pretty good at it too!
So now I'm a second year primary education student, also doing a minor in Japanese so I'll be able to teach Japanese in High Schools as well! I think my options are sky high and I love doing it! I thank God that he enabled me to do this degree and he showed me something that I'm good at and love.
17. Brittanie had the following to say on Feb 12 at 6:22 PM:
I find myself in a predicament. I work in doctor's office as a file clerk while finishing my masters in general biology. When I finish in May I still have no "real" job lined up and I have 70,000 dollars in student loans. My Bachelor's degree is in Biology with a minor in sec. education but the teaching thing did not work out so great. I student taught 8th and 9th grade and then taught summer school to 6th and 8th graders. My weak point was discipline. I do not know if I can do it again. So what am I going to do? Too late to do it over or I would def. pick a different major. Any advice?
18. Jacob Douvier had the following to say on Feb 12 at 6:32 PM:
I think it's prudent raise the question about the point of education: is it just job training or is there something else to it?
I was one of those crazy guys who got a degree in philosophy from a liberal arts college of all places. I knew full well that I wouldn't be making much money in life, and I am content.
Education, however, is not a hoop to jump through to make more money. It's an end in itself.
19. Jess M had the following to say on Feb 12 at 7:58 PM:
I'm in the middle of a journalism degree. Passionate about writing, but doing this simply because of the better job prospects.
And I've actually discovered that journalism is kind of fun!
20. DannieA had the following to say on Feb 12 at 8:56 PM:
I love my job and I would recommend it to anyone who is searching for something meaningful and fun to do.
I'm a speech therapist. I chose to work in the school system, but the beauty of speech therapy is that you can work with kids or adults (school, early intervention agency or hospital setting acute) or both (outpatient, clinic)
It appeals to education and the sciences...(language disorders vs. Traumatic Brain Injury or Neurological disorders...parkinsons, stroke, dysphagia etc.)
It is in high demand and the pay is good and decent...and you can work hard (hospital) or work to accommedate your kids school hours and vacations (work in the schools)
I love my job and I daresay it's the PERFECT major.
21. John had the following to say on Feb 12 at 10:28 PM:
There's a danger in working "for the money". If we get too caught up in paying bills and saving for houses, we can forget our call to "care for orphans and widows", "give to those who ask", and "never miss an opportunity for doing good". Those things definitely take money, and for those in high tax brackets it's hard to see mere 10% tithing as justifiable.
I'm going into my third internship in the oil industry and absolutely love it. I can't wait to launch my career there. It's easy to get caught up in the starting salary craze in this particular field. God has really been working on me though... teaching me about the role of money in our lives. There are few things as beautiful as a life lived simply, with all the excess income going to those in need. Rich Mullins is an awesome example of this.
My prayer is that I have the boldness and strength of character to give like that!
22. Leah had the following to say on Feb 12 at 10:51 PM:
>_<
I wish my journalism degree could get me a job as good as yours at TrueU :( :P
At the moment I'm looking to get a job with a Christian organisation which is responsible for school chaplaincy and kids' & youth camps. My position would be media relations/promotions type stuff (public relations).
23. Becca had the following to say on Feb 13 at 7:45 AM:
I have to say I am living with regret as I have always wanted to be an editor but chose to major in Christian Education instead of journalism. Journalism seemed too frustrating to me as I did not want to work for a newspaper (churning out facts) and planned to write/edit Children's Sunday School curriculum. (I picked writing related electives with my degree)
I've been out of college for 6 years and I am completely disappointed that I am nowhere near doing what I wanted. Oh, if I had known then what I know now...
24. Chris B. (VA) had the following to say on Feb 13 at 7:55 AM:
Looking back, just over six months out of college, I can see that I made some unwise career choices. I majored in Philosophy and English with the expectation that I would go on to get an education degree, but then life got in the way. I met my fiancee, and realized that I would rather get married and test my fortunes out in the working world than be a poor student for two more years. With that in mind, I wanted to find a job that would allow me to be close to my fiancee, which also greatly limited my options.
I worked through college and high school, so I did have some work experience with the government; but, nobody (nobody hiring, anyway) seemed to care about that. I ended up working as a cashier in a grocery store for a month, and then moved to my current position as a bank teller.
I am certainly not happy with my progress up to this point. As someone who was always a high achiever, it kills me that I haven't done anything with my life after school that would make my family proud of me. I am not encouraged by the fact that all of my friends have managed to do better, in one way or another. With a wedding in the near future, I also have the pressure of providing for a family. But God is good. I know that God is sovereign, but what I don't know is exactly why God has placed me here. Am I being punished for some sin, trained to develop some character trait, or is this simply the path to a greater blessing? I am not going to give up, and I trust that I will make it sooner or later (preferably sooner).
25. Michela had the following to say on Feb 13 at 8:19 AM:
Denise-
I remember that story! My grandma bought me subscriptions to American Girl for the better part of my pre-teen years; I was a big fan.
As for my career... I just graduated from college with a degree in vocal performance. There's not many career options out there for aspiring opera singers fresh out of their undergraduate program. So, my plan was to get a boring day job that would motivate me to continue practicing and performing in order to prepare for grad school.
So far, so good! I secured a position working for the government, and besides my ipod, some great new friends, and Boundless, my days are pretty lackluster.
I think God is really using this time to refine me. Now I don't practice because I have to, I do it because I want to! I'm teaching voice in the evenings as well. Eventually, I would like to get a Master's degree so I can teach in a college setting, and continue to perform. We'll see what happens. =)
26. Caleb S. had the following to say on Feb 13 at 10:54 AM:
I don't exactly enjoy my job, and it isn't going anywhere. It has somewhat hurt my career, but I know God has a reason for me being here. Working 5 years as a Marketing Assistant, and I don't have any marketing experience to show for it, only graphic design. I might as well be called a graphic designer, my degree was in Marketing.
I love graphic design, but my current position doesn't allow me much creativity. I am currently looking for something better. A job where I can be passionate about the work I am doing so I can grow professionally and at the same time glorify God with a good work ethic.
I think it's very important to be in a job you enjoy and to do something you are passionate about. For me money is less of a concern than to enjoy what I do. Not enjoying your job will affect your well being, believe me, I know from experience.
The down side though is not everybody can do that. Some people don't have money for college to pursue their goals, and sometimes the cards just don't play out right. So I think more importantly we be secure in our relationship with God and know that whatever He brings us in life is for a redemptive purpose. I know I have to constantly remind myself of that.
27. Michelle Myers had the following to say on Feb 13 at 11:18 AM:
I can fully agree with you, Denise. Although I'm still going to college, my passion for writing has driven me to study journalism because of its range of opportunities. Actually, I will be graduating with a BA in Communication Studies with an option in journalism (and possibly a minor in Spanish), which is even broader than simply journalism. While I don't plan on writing for a newspaper after I graduate, I know that I will be adequately prepared to do it while I wait for a better career opportunity to open up for me. Hopefully, it'll be along the lines of TrueU or Boundless or...who knows? :) Whatever happens, I will take it as a blessing. My life already has God's fingerprints all over it, and that is a liberating feeling.
28. faye had the following to say on Feb 13 at 11:49 AM:
I received my associate’s degree over 8 years ago. I badly wanted to continue my education, but I didn’t know what direction my life was going. Plus, college is expensive and I didn’t want to go into horrendous amounts of debt. Since that time, I’ve had several jobs. My current job is great (going on 2 years there); I work as a home health assistant. Sure, it’s not glamorous and I often find myself saying, “Anybody could do this…” but the point is: I’m doing what I can… and I try to take joy in that. When I go out the door of work, I think back to doing laundry, folding clothes, sweeping, making sure my patient is happy and cared for and fed…. And in the scheme of things, I know it’s not big, but I’m thankful for this opportunity… really thankful
There comes a point when you have to put all that you’ve learned (in the classroom and out of the classroom) into practice. It’s not pretty sometimes, but that’s the beauty of life. The pursuit of the “perfect job” is endless. Sometimes I had to just bite the bullet and do it. I had to pay my bills and turn on the heat occasionally. I guess if I had any advice to give, I would say to guard your hearts. The world will tell you that an education and a job and this or that is what you ARE, but there’s more to it in the end. There’s the people you work with, your work ethic and how you respond to work gossip… there’s a whole host of things you don’t learn in college. Living day by day is part of the learning process and the work you do is important, no matter what that work is or what phase in life you’re in. If you want to, you can volunteer with an organization that coincides with your “dream”… that sometimes can be way more rewarding that an actual job where your reward is often the money.
29. Rebecca had the following to say on Feb 13 at 12:06 PM:
This is a question I am wrestling with currently. I work 30 hrs a week teaching reading skills to 6-12th graders in a charter school in the city. Teaching is definitely my gifting and calling. However, I don't love teaching middle school/high school. I miss research and writing in addition to teaching and I am planning to go to graduate school in the fall, Lord willing.
Because I am my sole support and will be 30 this year, I must work while I am in school. This means that I am currently in search of a job that is full time, offers medical benefits and paid vacation and that allows me to rapidly pay off some debt I accrued while unemployed for a few months this fall. The other big requirement? Minimal stress. Since I already have a BA and work experience, I can relatively easily get an administrative job that will pay me what I need income-wise. My bills are minimal and I live a pretty simple life.
I know that I don't want to stay in administrative work, but I also know that I need a job that I can leave at work so that my free time can be devoted to intellectual and creative pursuits. My long-term goal is university-level teaching. I know that field is very rough, but I also know that if I don't work towards a vocation that satisfies me deeply, I won't stick to it.
My major counsel to individuals who are trying to make these decisions is two-fold: 1)If you are committed to a simple lifestyle, your options are much broader and 2)Remember how much of your life you spend working and don't just let work happen to you... make conscious, intentional decisions.
I am intentionally deciding to take a job that does not use my talents to their utmost or provided deep emotional fulfillment because that comes, for me, from my church community and my creative pursuits (including grad school). I also intentionally eliminate expenses from my life so I can take a job at a lower pay rate and still be solvent. It is not easy, and it can be counter-intuitive in contemporary American culture, but I encourage you to consider your life and current pursuits with an objective, may I even suggest more Christian, eye.
30. Sherah had the following to say on Feb 13 at 3:00 PM:
Do I enjoy my job? Am I happy with my career choices? What can I do to get to where I want to be?
First, I like aspects of my job. I don't like my job though. I am a RN. I have been for 2 1/2 yrs. I work three 12 hr shifts/week and every other weekend and holiday. I like caring for people, nurturing, supporting, encouraging and just being with people. Unfortunately, the amount of that I am actually able to do is very small. I find that policies, procedures and work assignments actually keep me from doing those aspects that I enjoy. Most days I have to pysch myself up to get out of bed when the alarm goes off and give myself pep talks on the way to work and as I am getting my patient assignment for the day. I get stressed out, frustrated and just plain over worked on a regular basis.
I am not happy with my career choice. But then my first career choice wasnt a career at all. Since the age of 18, I have desired to get married and have a family. Presently, at 29, I find myself still single with no prospects. So how does one handle having a career, that they never wanted? I look back over the past 11 years and definitely would do things differently.
I am trying to figure out what I can do to get to where I want to be. I am paying off my student loans as quickly as possible and have no intentions of incurring any more debt. If and when, I marry I want to stay at home. I dont want debt to get in the way of that. So some of you may say? Get Candices' book! I just very well may. But what can you say to a single female that has no aspirations for climbing any corporate or clinical ladders, building a resume or having a lucrative career.
31. Sarah P. had the following to say on Feb 13 at 3:27 PM:
Chris B: You're not being punished for a sin. God doesn't work like that. See Hebrews 12; we're running an endurance race here, and you happen to be in a nasty uphill stretch. ;)
I'm just out of college myself, having graduated this past May with a degree in Literature. Super practical, eh? Lucky for me, I have a resume of working for my parents' magazine business since age 14, so right now I have an eclectic, fascinating job doing PR-related stuff at my alma mater. I am volunteering at a teen center and learning moviemaking (and Tae Kwon Do) in my "spare time." ;) Right now I am quite content, although my current job offers little space for advancement. I'm taking this as an adventure, one day at a time, while I buff up those life skills that became a little rusty during my period of dormitory living.
There are plenty of opportunities out there every day for anyone who is flexible and knows how to learn. I think a lot of the reasons for discouragement come from expecting more out of life and ourselves than God intends. I pray daily for Him to show me His grace at work and to teach me joy.
32. Patricia had the following to say on Feb 13 at 4:53 PM:
I find it a bit disheartening when people claim education is a waste of time and money when they don't get a job in it. I think all experiences shape who we are and can be useful usually in some way. As for my career path, I started college as an electrical engineering major. After a semester, I realized engineering was not for me, switched to history and loved the subject. I worked for a year as a caseworker after college and found it to be one of the most challenging experiences of my life. I simply was terrible at dealing with people with emotional/physical/mental difficulties, which was my job as a caseworker. So, I decided to return to school to get a PhD in history. I'm happy in grad school and fortunately have been wise not to take out loans so I will only be in debt $2,000 when I am finished with my PhD, and all the debt is federal loans from my undergraduate degree. To me, the skills/knowledge you develop in school or in your job is what you should focus on, especially when you are young. I hope to be a professor, but if God calls me elsewhere, I recognize that I have developed invaluable skills that I can take into volunteer work, churches, my community, other paid employment, etc. Although my year as a caseworker was difficult, it taught me about my weaknesses as a person and the limits of what I can do. I just pray I can be a responsible steward of the skills and knowledge I have been fortunate to develop because of the opportunities and experiences in my past.
33. Rachael had the following to say on Feb 13 at 5:03 PM:
Like another commenter, I also don't feel a sense of deep complete fulfillment or *love* of my job. I wonder if someone else who had the same feelings as me toward their job might say they love it, though. Might be a "1/2 glass full or 1/2 glass empty" way of thinking to an extent. I think I'm more of a realist than a pure optimist. The job is simply not everything to me. Sure there are many joys. Sure it's fulfilling to an extent. Sure it's probably one of the most suitable jobs out there for me. My job is definitely a blessing. But on my days off, do I wish I were back at work working? No way (well I have to work [grading, prepping] on a lot of them anyway). It's more relaxing to be 'off' than 'on' (I feel that I'm 'on' when I teach, and more 'off' [to an extent] when I do all the behind the scenes stuff), honestly. But do I wish I was only 'off'? No, that would be boring. The grass always *seems* greener on the other side, but ultimately we should get our contentment from Christ alone; through His strength we have the ability to be content in any and every situation.
34. Rachael had the following to say on Feb 13 at 5:17 PM:
PS - for all the English-y types of people (or others who may not be sure of their choice of major) here, I majored in English because I wanted to use it as a stepping stone. It worked out for me, and I ended up pursuing a Master's in TESOL. However, I have a friend who majored in Biology and is now in the same MATESOL program I was in...so...I guess, even if you major in something you don't end up using directly, remember that you can always go to grad school, and often get that education partially or almost entirely paid for if you do research or teach while you pursue the degree. So while it would be good to think practically, don't automatically throw out your passion if you intend to go onto higher education anyway. Just look into programs, requirements, job possibilities, etc...things will work out. Enjoy the adventure of chasing your pursuits, but remember that our ultimate satisfaction does not rest in our success but in His arms...ok, trying to use my major a bit in that last line, perhaps, but you get the idea...
35. Pam had the following to say on Feb 13 at 5:53 PM:
Good points, everyone, but does anyone have advice for a 36 year old who still doesn't know what she wants to be?
I've been online for hours today trying to find something interesting in the way of a new career, with no luck. I'd like to be able to work from home (since I could do this while traveling with my honey) and have always been interested in writing and photography, but is this really practical?
I have a great boyfriend who will support me while I "work toward my goals" for whatever makes me happy...but I don't know what that is! It's so discouraging, I have this awesome opportunity, and really don't know what to do.
I found some interesting websites...ways to make money with photography and some writing, but really, I doubt this will be all that profitable. Does anyone have suggestions for "finding your calling"?
36. Chris B. (VA) had the following to say on Feb 14 at 9:07 AM:
Sarah P.: Thanks for the encouragement. I believe that I am on the verge of better things, but sometimes those things seem so far away and unattainable. God may not punish his children per se, but the Word does say that, "the Lord disciplines those he loves, and he punishes everyone he accepts as a son" (Hebrews 12:6). I am open to the possibility that my circumstances may be part of God's loving discipline. The hard part is bearing it with joy and hope.
I also struggle with the fact that prosperity does not mean the same thing to God that it means to the world. Material wealth--or even American middle-class comfort--may not be part of God's plan for my life, and that can be hard to deal with when the time comes to pay the bills or when my fiancee wants to go out to dinner.
Patricia: You are correct that we can learn and grow from all experiences; however, there are wise and unwise, efficient and inefficient ways to live. For those who pursue education without direction, delaying their entry into the working world, perhaps merely in order to conform to societal expectations and not to follow a passion, education can be a hindrance. Please don't misunderstand--I am not implying that this applies to you, only that it is true for many young people.
37. faye had the following to say on Feb 14 at 9:08 AM:
I realize my post came off being a little bit anti-education sounding. Education is not a "waste". It is a valuable journey! Education is a beautiful thing; hope I didn't discourage anybody out there. I meant to emphesis the fact that the people around us might be saying that certain things are the ultimate satisfaction, but in the end, it's the love of Christ that endures.
38. Patricia had the following to say on Feb 14 at 11:00 AM:
Faye and Chris-I agree with you both. I just get a little frustated when I hear anti-intellectualism coming from some evangelical Christians. Knowledge is a good thing-indeed we are commanded to love God with all our heart, mind, and strength. So, studying can be glorifying to God. But, I agree that college or grad school is not always best for everyone.
39. Fran had the following to say on Feb 14 at 12:11 PM:
I wanted to major in Biology, but the standard curriculum for undergraduate biology major's often concentrates on animals. I would rather study plants so I decided to major in Crop and Weed Science (Agriculture). It has opened doors.
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