Studying What You Want vs. Compromise

[godenver1]

Just wondering how many posters are here are studying, or studied, something they always dreamed of and how many posters here decided to take the road of pragmatism instead.

I'm at a weird stage because I dropped out of a subject that I disliked and was able to fall into an arts degree with a practical qualification attached, although I'm still unsure of what I'd like to do with my life.

My potential career is definitely one I could settle on and see myself doing with joy, but I can't help but feel I shouldn't be "settling".

 

[victorinus]

decided to take the road of pragmatism instead

always admired those who knew what they wanted to do at an early age
-now-
retired and still don't know what I want to do outside of being a grandparent
-
jack of all trades and master of none
-is-
a life worth living
-and-
much easier to leave

 

[Paidiske]

My first degree wasn't the one I wanted, but it was one I could get into (so I guess that's a kind of pragmatism). I definitely spent those years with no idea what I was going to do with the degree afterwards, though.

But I think it's okay to study something that will let you get a job, and then work for a bit and see how things fit. My vocation to ministry was something I could recognise when it came because I'd tried a different line of work for a while and worked out what I liked about it, and where it didn't fit me.

The important thing is that in this day and age you're not locked into something forever. Change and something new is always a possibility. So I'd suggest letting go of any fear of getting it wrong and just exploring and seeing what works for you.

 

[godenver1]

Thanks guys, haha. I think I need to readjust my perspective on where I will draw happiness within my life, and maybe a dream job isn't the answer.

I am studying History, which I love, amongst other interesting subjects.

 

[victorinus]

I am studying History

we need more historians so no one person can rewrite it

 

[AlexDTX]

Just wondering how many posters are here are studying, or studied, something they always dreamed of and how many posters here decided to take the road of pragmatism instead.

I'm at a weird stage because I dropped out of a subject that I disliked and was able to fall into an arts degree with a practical qualification attached, although I'm still unsure of what I'd like to do with my life.

My potential career is definitely one I could settle on and see myself doing with joy, but I can't help but feel I shouldn't be "settling".

We have forgotten the meaning of, "vocation". Vocal is the root of the word, and it refers to the calling of God in your life. God has a plan for our lives and that plan is the one that brings the greatest joy and satisfaction to our lives because it is what we are created to do. Pragmatism is meaningless. Pragmatism may put in in a high paying career, but if it is not the call of God for your life, then it is not your vocation and it will be unsatisfying. Money should not be the only goal of your education. Pray and find out what God wants you to do. An easy hint for discerning the call of God for your life is knowing what you love to do already. That natural direction is the way God works. God really did make life user friendly.

 

[victorinus]

Pragmatism is meaningless.

not

 

[AlexDTX]

not

Pragmatism is meaningless if it is not the call of God in your life. At the end of your life if you spent your life in pursuit of what was not the call of God, then your life was meaningless.

 

[victorinus]

Pragmatism is meaningless if it is not the call of God in your life. At the end of your life if you spent your life in pursuit of what was not the call of God, then your life was meaningless.

you misused the word -
pragmatism could easily be understood as doing what God wants you to do

 

[Paidiske]

And let's also recognise that for some people, we are fortunate enough to be able to make a living from what God calls us to do. But not everybody is. Others of us pursue paid work which is not our "vocation" to enable us to give our time voluntarily to what God wants.

It's not necessarily as easy as "Find what God's calling you to do, and do that for your career." If you can, great! And certainly I'd encourage everyone to take seriously the question, "What is God calling me to do?"

But for some people, discerning that takes a long time and in the meantime one needs to study and/or work. Or for some people, once discerned, your vocation is not going to be your paid work. And that is fine and valid too!

 

[Dave-W]

And let's also recognise that for some people, we are fortunate enough to be able to make a living from what God calls us to do. But not everybody is.

Indeed. My calling is as a musician/worship leader. But I had to work 20 years as a tool and die design engineer and the last 18 as a cartographer to put food on the table and put 4 kids thru schooling.

 

[Bananagator]

A lot of people work in order to pursue what they're truly passionate about.
I'm kind of in a similar situation. I'm studying a field that I have a moderate amount of interest in and will land me a good job, but I'm not passionate about it. I listen to my classmates talk about how exciting their research is and how they spend their free time looking into various things pertaining to the field.

Yeah uh, I sort of despise the research I've gotten involved in and the only time I spend on this subject is studying for class. While I find the subject matter interesting and worth forming a career out of, I simply see it as a means to help me pursue things that actually make me happy such as spending time with family and friends or one of my hobbies.

That could be a bad thing, I don't know
But I don't think it is

 

[Melony Martin]

I'm in my last semester of my degree, and if I had to do it over, I would get something more "practical." I loved the subject I went into, but I would have liked some more options with more job availability.

 

[Melony Martin]

And don't worry about switching majors. I come from a math background. I've seen many a folk who thought they were really good at math, due to high school, who couldn't make it pass a full college level calculus sequence. These were smart, studious students. This isn't meant to bash those students. Anyways, the point I'm trying to make is that not every major is for everyone, and the major you go into may not turn out to be for you. There is no shame in that. In fact, in can be a gift, figuring that out early. In the end, you could end up in something you would really love more. Hope that make sense.