Navigating Career Tides When They Keep A'Changin'

[soul_searching_gal]

I've been through some things when it comes to the area of life known as career. After years of part-time and temporary work, I finally made my way to a full-time position where I'm paid just enough to live modestly. I am in my mid-30s now.

I'm thinking about making a career move into a field that would draw upon my current experience as well as much of my background. I will need to find a way to build some other skills on my own, but it's doable in maybe a few year's time.

I know I'm at a point where I either need to accept that I've done all I can in the area of career (and, perhaps, this is what God wills for me) and count my blessings considering or make one last ditch effort to get into something a bit more solid, even if it's just for a few years. I've already let go of all of the big career-related dreams: owning a home, retirement, status, etc...but there are practical reasons why trying to get into something even just a bit more solid with a higher income could help tremendously.

So...how do we know if and when God wants us to step out and try again, for His glory versus our own ego/worldly values nibbling at us and telling us we should be doing "more"? How do you know when it's time to stop trying for "the next thing" and just bloom where you're planted?

*I posted this here in the "Terrific Thirties" board because perhaps some other thirty-somethings can relate, having been through similar economic times, where opportunities have consistently melted away repeatedly for over a decade right when we needed to get our feet in the door...if this is you, no matter your age, please know that there is a dedicated group on another Christian forum praying for you every day...may God's will for each of your lives shine through the struggles...God Bless.

 

[thecolorsblend]

I've been through some things when it comes to the area of life known as career. After years of part-time and temporary work, I finally made my way to a full-time position where I'm paid just enough to live modestly.

This is the Millennial refrain. Trust me, I feel your pain. There was a point when I was just happy that my crappy job didn't get shipped overseas so that some Boomer could pay himself a fatter bonus.

So...how do we know if and when God wants us to step out and try again, for His glory versus our own ego/worldly values nibbling at us and telling us we should be doing "more"? How do you know when it's time to stop trying for "the next thing" and just bloom where you're planted?

I've never claimed to be a moral theologian. However, my sense of moral theology as it relates to career issues is that as long as our work is legal, honest and not harmful to society, He is okay with us advancing ourselves or our careers.

Since I'm here, I'll say that I'm an INTJ. So it's in my nature to look for opportunities at work that most people wouldn't even notice. A few weeks ago, I saw a few opportunities to increase my visibility in the company while also slightly decreasing my workload. And all of this was done in the context of sincerely offering more and greater value to my employer.

My efforts were successful and my changes will be implemented soon.

God gave you your intellect and abilities. As long as you use them in an honest way which is beneficial to your employer and your work is beneficial to yourself and others, I think God is okay with you advancing your career in the ways you believe best.

By all means, pray over it and ask for His blessing. But I think you'll be okay.

Hope that helps.