choosing a career

[bubbleperson]

Hi, I'm an undergrad in college college and recently I've been stressing out a lot about my future. Ever since I came into college, I intended to do pharmacy. I never really finalized on it, but inside, I knew I was going to end up doing it anyway. I had doubts sometimes, because I didn't seem to have a passion for pharmacy. I went for it because of the job stability and because I kind of enjoyed chemistry. The thing is, this year, I haven't been doing well in my chemistry classes. I don't even know if I should continue pharmacy anymore. I don't know if my bad grades are a sign for me to give up. I've never had a passion for career. I've always depended on pharmacy. I honestly thought I was going to become a pharmacist, but now, I just don't know anymore. What if it's not what God wants me to do? I've been praying a lot about this and I even considered asking God for a sign. At the same time, I'm scared of how God will answer. How did you find out what career was right for you? Anyone went on a completely different course because God desired it? How did you guys know that the career you're pursuing is what God planned for you?

 

[Staci]

I went through the same thing mid way through college, so what I did was I took some time off from school and looked into other career paths. At the end of the day I realized that what I had majored in to start with was where I was supposed to be. I also prayed about what I should be doing career wise and I felt that God was telling me to go back to school and finish the degree that had started, I will graduate this May. While taking time off from school is a big decision that shouldn't be taken lightly it was exactly what I needed to realize where I was being called to be.

 

[Katarinea]

I was once in a similar situation, although not identical. God has given me an ability to write well, and I enjoy doing so, so I intended to go to a liberal arts college and major in Creative writing and minor in Art. However, I couldn't decide on a college, so I prayed. I wasn't living very close to God then, despite being saved, so it was rather odd that I prayed at all. . . Then, the next day, the Bible college I'm at now called. I asked about a writing program, and they said they didn't have one, but they did have a one-year program that I could take and then transfer elsewhere. I decided to do that and get my duty to God over with, because there was no question that God was calling me to this college. I got to the college and it didn't take me long to realize that God wanted me -here-, not at whatever liberal arts college I was going to go to.

Moral of the story is, when you ask for guidance and really mean it, God will give it! The point of this story is not "GO TO BIBLE COLLEGE ", it's "Follow God's will". I'll try to remember to pray for you, but my memory is notoriously bad. God bless!

 

[ScarlettRose]

When I was in high school I really wanted to become a paediatrician (kids doctor) or a veterinarian. But I wanted to do what God wanted me to do. So, I took a year off after school finished to pray about it & to save money for uni. Then God showed me that He wanted me to go into teaching. He showed me through His word, people & situations around me. Maybe you could take a year or half a year off to have a break, press in to God, learn more about Him & the will that He has for your life & to learn more about yourself? It may help

 

[Sketcher]

I'm out of college and working, and I couldn't tell you what God would have me doing in a year, let alone for the rest of my life. Certain types of jobs "fit" us because of how we're made, and I'm fortunately in one that "fits" me now - which is very different from what I majored in back when I was in college, which also "fit" me. Back then, I thought God was calling me to that career, based on the parable of the talents. Now, my best guess is that I have multiple talents rather than just one, and I'm using some of those to earn a living. My hope is that God will use me where I'm at, and use this to benefit me in the future, whatever it holds. I didn't get a vision from Heaven to guide me to where I am, it just sort of happened. My record of listening to the Holy Spirit is far from perfect, but whether it was originally in God's will or not, he has me in a decent place.

 

[Eurasia]

Hi, I've been and gone through exactly what you're experiencing doubting whether I had chosen the correct choice of study. I choose to study primary school teaching, because of job security, but it came at cost because it wasn't something i was passionate for. Over time God revealed to me it wasn't something i was called to do, it was very hard for me to let go and but I did, but i began to feel more peace when i let it go. When you choose a path of study don't just think of job security but do something you enjoy It works out better, God has given you desires in your heart. Do you have other passions that perhaps you change to another course of study? It could be something within the sciences still. What other career paths are you interested in? Perhaps, have a chat with your career counselor. Don't stress, trust in God.

All things work together for the good of those that love the Lord and are called according to his purpose. Romans 8:28

 

[MrsSeptemberPenguin]

I went through a similar thing. I finished school without stopping though, not sure I even liked what I majored in. Then I decided to go to dog grooming school (which I didn't actually need my 4 year degree for), and I actually love grooming and my B.S. degree in animal science really helps me with my job now. Everyone says I'm catching on to things much faster than anyone else, and I think a lot of that has to do with my education and the fact that God has given me a gift when it comes to animals. I love my job. I am also studying wildlife conservation now so that one day I can hopefully start working in a zoo because I've found I have a real passion for the animals in the zoo. Sometimes you don't know. When I graduated I actually hated my degree because I couldn't find anything that my degree qualified me for that I actually wanted to do. Life is about learning. Even if you end up doing a job that has nothing to do with your degree, I doubt you'll regret getting one. Maybe time off is what you need. I kinda wish I had done that though, it would have saved me some money. But anyway, enough rambling on. Pray and know you're not alone. I think most people go through a phase like this, and regardless of your choice, life goes on and things work out. God is in control, and He knows we're human. Even if we make the wrong choice He's still there and always will be.

 

[ImperialPhantom]

Personally, I believe that there are VERY VERY few people whom are called by God to a specific career or "calling". The rest of us are given plenty of options, and no matter which one we go for, we are supposed to do it in a way which gives glory to God. For those of us who fit into the second field, I believe that trying to chase after that one hardcore "passion" is an exercise in spinning one's wheels. Once I stopped spinning my wheels and went for something even though it wasn't a true 'passion', I escalated my career and my sense of self, and it ended up becoming something that I can see myself making a whole career out of.

 

[Sketcher]

Personally, I believe that there are VERY VERY few people whom are called by God to a specific career or "calling". The rest of us are given plenty of options, and no matter which one we go for, we are supposed to do it in a way which gives glory to God.

I suppose it doesn't help our perception of the matter that most of what we hear about specific callings are people in the ministry - who experienced specific callings about what they're going to do, who they're going to marry, and so forth. Good for them and for what they do, but there's a temptation there to throw the matter out of balance with their audiences.

 

[WilliamOrtego]

I too have issues with choosing a career path. I'm a Writing and Linguistics major, I'll go to graduate school for a degree in Library Science (to be come a librarian)

I've fought with myself over this career choice for years. It's what I want to do with my life, but I will always have doubts. All I can do is pray that my path in life will lead me to a career that I enjoy and will stick with for the duration i work.