CATHOLICS WITH SECULAR CAREERS: important issue + advice needed for Catholics at university!

[Mr_Ignatius]

Hi all! This is a bit of a read but I think it’s very common issue, yet one that does not get the attention that it requires. Heck, I struggled to find a forum/sub-forum that this thread would best suit. I’m not even confident that the right people will see this thread but God willing (admin, please move it to the most appropriate if possible ). Thanks in advance if you’re able to get through it all.

As a cradle catholic who has only recently found out the importance of his faith, I am struggling with balancing my studies and my service.

When I fell in love with the Church I like many people began to dismiss the possibility of having a career that did not directly benefit her. Jobs like working for youth agencies, chaplaincies, Catholic school teaching and archdiocese employment were the only ones that attracted me and thus at the time, reflected poor uni results. Thank God I was able to break out of this tunnel vision - I came to a realisation that I could partake in building up His kingdom in places of darkness. *“A candle shines brighter in a dark room than in a room full of other candles” - Anonymous. *

I believe this is a very important issue, and one that many (especially young) people need to understand. We can influence and evangelise through building up genuine friendships and exposing those that may not ever get exposure to the faith when treating them, managing them or simply by being present at their workplace,

Here’s the bit I need someone to impart their wisdom on:
To do well and excel in my career path (or any career path for that matter) it would require a lot of energy and time. I’m currently in my 3rd year of study at university and after seeing how much energy and time friends put in to become successful, I worry whether doing the same places my career above God.

As a youth leader with important responsibilities I often wonder whether my time could be better spent by focusing on my studies and setting myself up for the future via volunteer programs and networking through various means. Frankly, I often invest too much time into my youth activities (which of course I love doing) but my uni results and activities that are relevant to my degree are substandard and non-existent. I do realise that as a 3rd year student I should have already had these things prioritised but I’ve had a very rough ride at uni. I guess I’m blessed that my results aren’t as shocking as they could be (just under a credit average with time to bump it up). Since taking up the leadership role I find that I don’t have enough time or energy to apply for these programs/network and it therefore puts me at a big disadvantage when hundreds/thousands of students graduate to apply for the same handful of jobs that are available. The real world is a tough. Catholics are needed in secular workplaces and positions of power where they can have the greatest influence.

I feel like I’m getting bogged down by too much of everything. But it’s natural. I want to help wherever and whenever I am called. But is it worth the cost of a much needed position in a secular working environment where the harvest is plentiful but the workers are few?

Thoughts? (Help me please)

 

[powerofk]

One area in the secular world with serious need of a Catholic worldview is the field of education. Special education, especially in the area of teaching children with severe disabilities, is an area, in particular, where you can build the culture of life by catering to the “least of God’s children” (if you don’t mind sometimes getting physically attacked and cleaning bodily fluids).

 

[Avila123]

I suggest sitting down and talking with your priest as you are discerning your contributions to the Church and need some spiritual direction. Maybe God is calling you to give up leadership at the moment, or wanting you to have a break?

I struggled to balance commitments and it took 2 priests and someone else over a number of months to get the message through that I was burning myself out. It was hard to give up because I thought I was letting people down, but after an initial setback, people were understanding.

What I did not know was that God had different plans that needed my time, energy and other resources. I am as busy as before, but am energized and even excited (okay sometimes a little fearful) because I am doing what He wants and it is leading into new territory.

Please talk to your priest.

Will now pray for you.

May God bless you.

 

[Auntie_A]

One area in the secular world with serious need of a Catholic worldview is the field of education. Special education, especially in the area of teaching children with severe disabilities, is an area, in particular, where you can build the culture of life by catering to the “least of God’s children” (if you don’t mind sometimes getting physically attacked and cleaning bodily fluids).

Also, the area of geriatrics needs Christians with a reverence for life, energy, creativity and a good sense of humor.

 

[Petaro]

I was an industrial lawyer all my working life and this is a most secular career, except for the period I worked within the Australian Union movement under the instructions of the secret Catholic group called “The movement,” or “the Groupers”, set up by the Catholic Bishops to take back control of the Union movement from the post-war Communists. Great fun. I was National Research Director for the Federated Ironworkers Association for six years wresting with the corrupt Builders’ Labourers Union full of Chinese inspired Communism and the Builder’s workers controlled then from Moscow. Great fun. Always carried a knife and a rebar in the boot of the car. This was when the Church had courage.
Then I was lured to the dark side - the employers and found you could do more good as an Exec. Manager for a large Company. I worked for Banks, Mining Companies and even a Private Prison Group. There I found great corruption as exec. Manager H. R. and had to resign without another job when my "whistle-blowing " fell on the deaf ears of higher management. This is what you have to do to maintain your honour and your faith.
BUT, first and foremost you must study. You must get good grades to succeed in a profession. As I tell my son, he must get sixes or sevens as anything else is average and average is poor. You waste your parents money or your own in frittering away your youth on student activities no matter how seemingly worthwhile they appear now. When you graduate they will be undergraduate frollicks. Get a good degree. If you are doing Arts or some other psycho-social moratorium, then treat it as an education of a gentleman, rather than training for a career; your second degree or major should be something solid.
But always, no matter what you do, always maintain your honour and your faith. Your professional ethics should be second nature as should be the ethic of your Catholic faith. Christ can be found in all honest work, but you must have something to offer at His feet.

 

[Mr_Ignatius]

Please talk to your priest.
Will now pray for you.
May God bless you.

Thank you. I actually will seek some direction from our priest on campus (chaplain) and maybe make use of the career advice services on offer. If there’s is anything that you’d like me to pray for let me know

BUT, first and foremost you must study. You must get good grades to succeed in a profession. As I tell my son, he must get sixes or sevens as anything else is average and average is poor.

Yep you’re on the ball there. I find the saying ‘God will provide’ interesting. Yes I believe He does, however it can turn into an excuse to slack off or not put in the required study hours e.g. protestant mate of mine cruising through his degree after realising he won’t be using it for his career and that the only thing that interests him is missionary work/becoming a pastor… there are many other examples and to be honest I was like this a couple months ago. The changed attitude to studying is obvious if you were to look at my academic transcript. Horrible stuff.

You’re an awesome dad! I wish my dad hammered that into me as well but in saying that I’m not taking away from how great he is too haha

But always, no matter what you do, always maintain your honour and your faith. Your professional ethics should be second nature as should be the ethic of your Catholic faith. Christ can be found in all honest work, but you must have something to offer at His feet.

Amen, thank you for your wise words.

 

[PaulinVA]

I think that there need to be faithful Catholics in all professions. We are supposed to be the salt of the earth.

So, any “moral” profession is acceptable. Streetwalking is out. But most others are in. Do what you are good at, and take opportunities to witness through your actions and how you treat people.

 

[Viki63]

It is very important to prioritize. Perhaps your campus chaplain can help you do that in a general way, and you can fine tune it as you go.

There are many careers that can glorify God and that He can use to help others through us. They are not all managerial positions. In fact it would be unusual to go into a position of power right out of school. You may have to work your way up.

Consider a career choice that does not have hundreds/thousands of students graduating to apply for the same handful of jobs that are available. There is a lot of work to be done in the world, the trick is just finding what you’re good at.

 

[dedo]

You need to focus on your studies and do the best you can there.

Then you will have more options.

It makes no sense to volunteer to the point where your primary responsibilities are compromised.

If you are a student, your primary responsibility is your school work.