Suggestions for schooling

[mandy2]

Hello I am in my second year of college and am wanting to take the best path for my life in which I want to do Gods will to the fullest. I feel called to youth ministry and am pondering different ideas. Is anyone here familiar with what would be a good route to take to get to my highest potential to become a youth minister? I cannot be one now being that I am 19, but I want to get myself in the best position to do so. If you can, leave me some advice, and if not just pray I make the best choice.
The options I currently see:
-degree in Psychology, Communications, or Philosophy
-Online theology degree
-associates in liberal arts and 2 years in Lifeteen Missions

 

[Hoosier_Daddy]

Hello I am in my second year of college and am wanting to take the best path for my life in which I want to do Gods will to the fullest. I feel called to youth ministry and am pondering different ideas. Is anyone here familiar with what would be a good route to take to get to my highest potential to become a youth minister? I cannot be one now being that I am 19, but I want to get myself in the best position to do so. If you can, leave me some advice, and if not just pray I make the best choice.
The options I currently see:
-degree in Psychology, Communications, or Philosophy
-Online theology degree
-associates in liberal arts and 2 years in Lifeteen Missions

I have a dear friend who is a youth minister. She got the job at 19 and has never had a degree. She is now 38 and is still a youth minister. I was also a youth minister for several years. While a degree certainly helps, Youth ministry usually does not take the path of a “Career” Sure, there are exceptions like my friend but then again, at 38, she is the longest serving youth minister in her diocese.

The turnover for youth ministry is high and there are reasons for that.

But, I would focus on education degrees or programs offered by some Catholic Schools. I got a SALT (Scripture and Leadership Training) certification and that is what weighed the most in my interviews.

Lifeteen is certainly a good resource and training but not all parishes are keen on running a lifeteen program.

Also, are you wanting to have this be a career source of income? Because it does not pay well, many times, in many parishes, it does not pay at all.

Good luck and I am glad that you have this passion.

 

[PaulfromIowa]

Education degree?

 

[Cat]

I agree with what others are posting so far.

In addition, I suggest that you spend a year or two learning a trade so you can support yourself (and a wife/family) if necessary.

Often, youth ministry jobs pay diddly-squat, especially if you take a position in an inner-city church or a rural church, or perhaps in a non-profit organization.

Also, when churches downsize in an attempt to save money, the youth minister is often one of the first positions eliminated, since volunteer “youth sponsors” can carry on many of the activities.

So learning a trade is a good idea.

One suggestion is dental hygienist. Usually these positions are held by females, but I don’t think there’s any prohibition on males doing the work. The nice thing about dental hygienists is that they are often able to choose their hours, and also, most of the hours are during the day (when teenagers are in school anyway and the youth minister can’t be actively involved with them).

Another suggestion is phlebotomist (the person who draws blood). Much of this work is done during the day, especially the very early morning hours.

Or perhaps an industrial trade would work out (and definitely pay better). There’s a lot of need in our city for CNC programmers right now.

Look around and see what is needed and what you could do.

Godspeed to you!

 

[thankulord]

Religious studies major, maybe minor in counseling. Take a glance at present advertisements for youth ministers and their requirements. God bless you!