Decision Making

[goshngolly]

I’m having trouble right now making decisions about what college and what major to pursue. I’ve already finished up my freshman year of college, but I am feeling lost and confused and scared also. I’m afraid I’m going to make the wrong decision, and I just wish that God would tell me what to do. Any decision making tips? I’ve come to have a hard time trusting my decisions…

 

[naomily]

Hey!

I had similar fears when I was in college. I dreamed of majoring in Women’s Studies and Sociology but was so frightened of facing unemployment after school that I ended up studying the practical but (to me, at least) boring Museum Conversation. I sometimes wonder if I should have “followed my dreams,” as the kids say, or if I made the right choice— I now have a job I adore and pursue my passions on the side.

Ultimately, I wish I had known that often, regardless of what one studies, life has a way of working out. Don’t stress so much! Take classes in subjects you enjoy and that seem to have good career potential. It’s that simple. Everything else is up to God. Very few people my age end up in jobs directly related to their degree. There is always a chance to find your passion.

I’ll say a prayer that your vocation becomes clear but in case it doesn’t— don’t stress! College may feel like your whole world but it’s teeny tiny fraction of it. Things have a funny way of working out, often in the ways we wouldn’t expect.

Most importantly, focus on HAVING FUN.

 

[Cricket2]

Try not to stress over this too much. You will discover in life, that jobs related to a specific degree are rare, and that there are certain studies that apply to almost everything. Here are some keepers, regardless of what you eventually do:

Computer courses that at least let you understand some programing, web design and the internet.
Math at least to the level of algebra. Some accounting is also great to have.

After that is all depends on your interests. You can take a moment and review what you have really been interested in during your life. For example, even as a kid I loved to investigate how things were made, where they came from and what would happen if certain things got mixed together. SCIENCE was my love and I landed up getting a degree in Biology (Genetics). Now I didn’t use that degree the way I thought, but I did get to work in a related field.

Another suggestion if you have not considered it: Become multi-linguil if you have the skill. I have friends from other countries who have repeatedly told me that US business men/women miss out on deals all the time because they speak only English. Some of the better choices (in a business sense) for a different language include: Spanish, German, Vietnamese, Chinese and Japanese. French is not as common as it used to be, but still ranks among the wiser choices. If nothing else pick two other languages and reach the level of proficient in them. Why not look into being a linguist or translator?

Anyway, without knowing some of your personal interests it is hard to recommend things. But no matter what do not plan on having only one career in life. That is almost unheard of now. Most people average 7-10, whether they like it or not. This is due to outsourcing, mergers, company closures, and the simple fact that life can throw some curve balls and mix things up a bit. Be open to change and prepared with a variety of skills to manage it.

 

[Gina_Lee]

There are many ways to serve to God and do good in your community. What are your strengths, your talents or your passions?

Good people are needed in all walks of life.

Good luck!

O beautiful Flower of Carmel, most fruitful vine, Splendor of Heaven, holy and singular, who brought forth the Son of God, still ever remaining a Pure Virgin, assist me in this necessity. O Star of the sea, help and protect me! Show me that Thou art my Mother.

O Mary, conceived without sin, pray for us who have recourse to Thee!

 

[goshngolly]

Thank you for your positive answers, and prayers
What I would love is to have a career as a storyboard artist and illustrator for children’s books. Would you all think that if you have a desire for something then God wants you to do it? Sometimes I feel guilty about indulging my interests.

 

[SuperLuigi]

I’m having trouble right now making decisions about what college and what major to pursue. I’ve already finished up my freshman year of college, but I am feeling lost and confused and scared also. I’m afraid I’m going to make the wrong decision, and I just wish that God would tell me what to do. Any decision making tips? I’ve come to have a hard time trusting my decisions…

What I always tell students is that you need to find something you are interested in, but also something that is marketable.

I don’t think you’re going to college to work a job selling wares or cups of coffee for $8 an hour. Nothing wrong with either profession, of course, but those at those jobs you are usually trained at your place of employment.

So, you need to be aware that some fields are good to get into, especially in a down economy, and to frank I don’t think the economy will get really good for some time.

If you’re in a major that doesn’t even have its own department, then that’s a red flag.

As far as anxiety about making the wrong decision, well, I think it maybe more of a good decision vs. a bad one.

I suppose it’s possible to thumb one’s nose at God and spite Him with a career you know He won’t approve of, but I don’t get the sense that you are doing that.

 

[goshngolly]

Yeah, I definitely don’t want to spite God. I really want to do it for His glory. I want to make something wonderful and beautiful in the world. But, you see, the college where I have a good scholarship may or may not provide what I need for that while a little community college might. I don’t want to forsake my scholarship but…not sure what’s right.

 

[KD8TZC]

So what is the purpose of the scholarship? I think it is to reward you monetarily to help you pay for your schooling. If a local community college will get you what you desire and cost less than the other degree with the scholarship, than what is the difficulty?

There is nothing wrong with community colleges. Also, people in all works of life help people.

I work in IT… I didn’t have a degree in IT though, I went to college and earned a marketing degree. By the grace of God though, He opened doors for me and helped me get into IT, where I enjoyed what I was doing and make a good career. I also work for a large hospital system, and even though I am not a doctor or nurse mending people, everyone at the hospital, from the person who cleans the bathrooms, to the people in IT like me, are all caregivers. Even though I don’t directly interface with the patient, the work that I do helps people get better… and in that, I know God is allowing me to serve others.

You have to see the beauty in whatever you feel drawn to. Almost every career cares for people in some way or another, and in that, you are serving God.

God bless,

John