Confused

[Rbaker]

Hello everyone, I really love listening to your advice, so I am here to ask for it again. I know that I asked something similar a while back, but I really like coming here to talk. So let’s get into it.

I am a freshman in college, and things are going really well (grades are up and I’m staying out of trouble). But I am getting a little worried because I still don’t know what career to pursue. I often at times over think things, but this has been my line of thought for the last few years:

Get a job that pays good money so I can provide for a family if that is what I am called to do, even if I dislike my line of work. I am willing to do whatever it takes to support my family because that is what my Grandparents and parents have done, and I greatly appreciate it.

But recently, this line of thought has given me a few problems. I am constantly thinking back to a book a read about Mother Angelica, where she continuously tells us that God will provide if that is what He wants. I have this strange feeling in my stomach and in my heart whenever I think about doing God’s will. I don’t know what He wants me to do, but whenever I think about serving him, I get butterflies I guess you could call it.

I have given the profession of teaching the most thought, and even though the pay is a little low and I hate public speaking, I almost feel like I at least have to try it. I was always frustrated in high school because I felt like they didn’t challenge us to further our faith. I now know that many of my classmates are unaware of so many beliefs of the Church.

I was basically wondering if it would be a good idea to get a degree in something other than education, and then go back for my teaching certification, that way I can have some more time to think it over. But I am also tired of waiting. I am constantly upset with myself because I feel like I am not doing enough for God. Like if I died right now, how could I expect God to welcome me into his kingdom when I haven’t accomplished much for him. I am just tired of going to school because I feel like college is a scam, and that everyone is just going there to make money instead of learning. I feel like I could be doing greater things for the world than sitting in a classroom absorbing knowledge I am likely soon to forget.

I don’t really expect you all to know the answers to my questions, but I just needed to vent a little.

 

[PapyrusDouay]

All your thoughts are completely valid, normal, and even expected. I’ve been there. Honestly, I wouldn’t worry too much about what you are studying at this point. Most people change their majors at least once, I changed my major twice. So, unless you have a specific career goal in mind that requires a specific degree (e.g. Nursing), I wouldn’t worry too much about it now. I’d study what you’re most passionate about. If it’s education, then stick with it. Many of the skills and you’ll learn in education will apply elsewhere. If it’s biology do that, you can always take a teaching certification exam later, or minor in education if that’s what you want. I’ve found that it’s not as hard to move between different fields after college as I thought. Whatever you choose to study now is NOT going to pigeon hole you later. You have time still to change your mind a couple times as you figure things out.

Spend time in front of the Blessed Sacrament, and bring your concerns there. You may be surprised by what you learn.

As for your last concern, there is plenty you can do now, while in college. Is there a campus ministry? get involved with that if you can. Help out at your local parish. Volunteer your time at homeless shelter, animal shelters, or anything else, and remember that you are doing it for the Lord. If you are working part time, consider that your ministry. While what we do matters to an extent, it’s HOW we do it that matters more, and for WHOM we do it that matters even more. Even something as mundane as stocking books for a work-study at your campus library can be done for the Lord. In fact, it’s not uncommon for some parts of formation in religious life to contain exactly those mundane things, or even worse. But it’s because it is “Formation”, forming you into someone new, someone who can scrub rocks with soap and water for the glory of God, and do it again the next day, with Joy.

Your very existence on campus can be a ministry, and it should. Try to make it so every person you encounter on campus leaves that encounter with a smile. Make them wonder about you “where does that joy come from?”. We call it a “ministry of presence”, and there are several Saints who spent their entire lives with no formal ministry other than “just being there”.

If I were you, I’d consider my time in college as “formation”. It’s forming your mind to think a in new ways, is forming you socially, academically, in discipline, and other ways too. It’s preparing you for something greater, later. Your current ministry could very well just be to “prepare” for a future ministry (such as an educator, social worker, scientist, lawyer, priest, whatever it may be). That is a perfectly valid ministry in itself, even if you don’t yet know what you’ll be doing later. Remember Who you are doing it for, and He will make things clear, but in His time, not ours.

 

[Lily_Bernans]

I love the theater and I love the French language. I am French, and I grew up in France. Right out of what passes for high school in France, I went to the University of Paris and got Master’s degrees in Drama and French. Then, I moved to Zuerich and began working as a financial analyst, which I hated, but loved the travel. I got a Certificate in Financial Analysis. Ten years later I moved to the US and began studying for my Master’s in English Literature. Four months in, I knew, absolutely knew, that theology was my calling, so now I’m a PhD candidate in Roman Catholic Theology, and I couldn’t be happier.

I “kind of” regret not studying theology right away, but not too much. No education is wasted. I can’t imagine studying anything but theology now.

I would say study what interests you. If you get a Master’s, you can always teach at the college level. But I can also tell you that Master’s studies are a world away from bachelor’s. Bachelor’s is more like high school; master’s requires a lot of study and work. But it is well worth it.

Good luck in whatever you decide to do.

 

[Beryllos]

… Get a job that pays good money so I can provide for a family if that is what I am called to do, even if I dislike my line of work. I am willing to do whatever it takes to support my family because that is what my Grandparents and parents have done, and I greatly appreciate it.

But recently, this line of thought has given me a few problems…

It should. While it’s good to have a paying job, and it’s better to have a career, it is still better to follow your calling.

For some perspective on the distinctions between job, career, and calling, read this item from Will Marré’s blog (but ignore references to an upcoming webinar which was last December.):
The One Simple Thing You Can Do to Love Your Work

Marré doesn’t write much about religion, but I find that his message can easily be adapted to my Christianity.

 

[Vic_Taltrees_UK]

While seconding the above with the benefit of my own hindsight I would say look at the most practical but pray extra hard because God might “make” things practical as you go.

Don’t feel “duty bound” to necessarily sidestep an area of study you genuinely love. Maybe what was a youthful hobby that you were advised to abandon because it wasn’t an exam subject at school level.

As university gets pricier and pricier, if you genuinely have the opportunity you could strongly consider taking it. If there are subjects you are genuinely enthusiastic about you could consider giving them priority and taking a teacher qualification after (in the UK there used to be a one-year PGCE I think).

As for stimulating others in investigating the faith - as well as other subjects - there is always one-to-one as you just relate. Accommodation permitting you may be able to host informal Bible studies or prayer meetings without going through hoops.

That’s not hard and fast though. God may send specific guidance to go straight for a particular qualification.

You sound very oriented to helping others keep alive their wish for learning in the faith and other areas, a precious thing. So many factors tell everybody, “you don’t wanna know”.

 

[pianistclare]