May not relate necessarily to religion, but how did you figure out which career path you were meant to go down? Trial and error? Picking one and just grinding it out? I find myself disillusioned with never being able to find the right role or career. Would love any perspectives.
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Figuring it Out
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Busch_League said:
May not relate necessarily to religion, but how did you figure out which career path you were meant to go down? Trial and error? Picking one and just grinding it out? I find myself disillusioned with never being able to find the right role or career. Would love any perspectives.
I was basically clueless but doors always opened or closed. I attribute it to God.
No material on this site is intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. See full Medical Disclaimer.
Professional career coaches these days don't talk about finding a "calling" or trying to make your career an extension of yourself, but rather look to find the best fit based on your strengths. Without knowing more about your experiences, it's hard to say what you have or haven't tried, but usually it's a problem of fit.
There's a uniquely American attitude, for good and for ill, that our career must be an integral part of who we are and that we attempt to derive meaning in our lives from our work. You may want to step back and figure out if the problem is one of balance and meaning in your life, if you have enough space between work and self, or if it really is the wrong career based on what you want and value.
There's a uniquely American attitude, for good and for ill, that our career must be an integral part of who we are and that we attempt to derive meaning in our lives from our work. You may want to step back and figure out if the problem is one of balance and meaning in your life, if you have enough space between work and self, or if it really is the wrong career based on what you want and value.
Free will!dermdoc said:Busch_League said:
May not relate necessarily to religion, but how did you figure out which career path you were meant to go down? Trial and error? Picking one and just grinding it out? I find myself disillusioned with never being able to find the right role or career. Would love any perspectives.
I was basically clueless but doors always opened or closed. I attribute it to God.
Are you a Christian? I think answers I may give would depend on your perspective.Busch_League said:
May not relate necessarily to religion, but how did you figure out which career path you were meant to go down? Trial and error? Picking one and just grinding it out? I find myself disillusioned with never being able to find the right role or career. Would love any perspectives.
Haha, I am. But also in the middle of my faith journey.
Yep. God is sovereign. But allows us free will because He loves us.10andBOUNCE said:Free will!dermdoc said:Busch_League said:
May not relate necessarily to religion, but how did you figure out which career path you were meant to go down? Trial and error? Picking one and just grinding it out? I find myself disillusioned with never being able to find the right role or career. Would love any perspectives.
I was basically clueless but doors always opened or closed. I attribute it to God.
I do not believe God creates humans knowing that are pre ordained to eternal hell with zero chance. God is good. Not evil.
No material on this site is intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. See full Medical Disclaimer.
Busch_League said:
May not relate necessarily to religion, but how did you figure out which career path you were meant to go down? Trial and error? Picking one and just grinding it out? I find myself disillusioned with never being able to find the right role or career. Would love any perspectives.
Vocation over calling and career. I don't love my job and fell into it after putting in four years doing something else and thinking I'd not advance out of the prior role. In fact, I turned down my current job before rethinking it, because I didn't want to be pigeonholed. Now? I've been in this role for almost 10 years but don't really care about the job or career. If I lose it, I'll do something else and make the lifestyle adjustment because I'd rather stay in my church and town than define myself as what I do.
If you're a Christian and you haven't put down roots for the long haul I think there are bigger questions to tackle.
What do you mean by put down roots for the long haul?
You and me both.Busch_League said:
Haha, I am. But also in the middle of my faith journey.
For me personally, I have really come to appreciate the teachings around the doctrine of vocation in my church. I used to get very bothered as do a lot of folks when it came to how I know what God's will is in my life when it came to my profession. End of the day, God wants us to be obedient and glorify Him with whatever we do, and we have the freedom to pursue anything that is lawful and ideally something we can use our God-given talents to flourish in.
At TAMU, I essentially just picked something with job a good amount of job security (Corporate Finance) as opposed to my true interests or talents. So I often do have some regret with that, however I still struggle with the ultimate question of what I want to be when I grow up, even as I approach 40 yo.
We have a 10 yo son, so this will become a big topic of interest in the coming years, and I would have to believe we would advise him on really pursuing things that are in line with his God-given talents, which right now are mathematics. However he's also got quite a personality and likes to negotiate, so something around law could be interesting, given the void of true morality in that field. He thinks he's gonna be a MLB player, so we will need to handle that accordingly, so the next 5 years aren't spent chasing a dream that is not in line with his real talents.
Without really knowing any personal details all I can say is that I would spend some time, if you haven't already, considering your God-given talents and interests and going from there. I think God will be faithful to open and close doors in some ways as you continue to be faithful in your ultimate vocation as a Christian, Husband, Father, Friend, Neighbor, etc. All of those things are far more important than any job or career you could have. Also give yourself grace for not having a job you love - I think our culture over-romanticizes this quite a bit especially over just living a faithful life and finding your value in other, more eternally minded things.
Great post. You had me at baseball.10andBOUNCE said:You and me both.Busch_League said:
Haha, I am. But also in the middle of my faith journey.
For me personally, I have really come to appreciate the teachings around the doctrine of vocation in my church. I used to get very bothered as do a lot of folks when it came to how I know what God's will is in my life when it came to my profession. End of the day, God wants us to be obedient and glorify Him with whatever we do, and we have the freedom to pursue anything that is lawful and ideally something we can use our God-given talents to flourish in.
At TAMU, I essentially just picked something with job a good amount of job security (Corporate Finance) as opposed to my true interests or talents. So I often do have some regret with that, however I still struggle with the ultimate question of what I want to be when I grow up, even as I approach 40 yo.
We have a 10 yo son, so this will become a big topic of interest in the coming years, and I would have to believe we would advise him on really pursuing things that are in line with his God-given talents, which right now are mathematics. However he's also got quite a personality and likes to negotiate, so something around law could be interesting, given the void of true morality in that field. He thinks he's gonna be a MLB player, so we will need to handle that accordingly, so the next 5 years aren't spent chasing a dream that is not in line with his real talents.
Without really knowing any personal details all I can say is that I would spend some time, if you haven't already, considering your God-given talents and interests and going from there. I think God will be faithful to open and close doors in some ways as you continue to be faithful in your ultimate vocation as a Christian, Husband, Father, Friend, Neighbor, etc. All of those things are far more important than any job or career you could have. Also give yourself grace for not having a job you love - I think our culture over-romanticizes this quite a bit especially over just living a faithful life and finding your value in other, more eternally minded things.
No material on this site is intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. See full Medical Disclaimer.
Busch_League said:
What do you mean by put down roots for the long haul?
I mean committing to your church and community in a meaningful way. Throwing yourself into one through ups and downs, knowing that you'll be there no matter the outcome. Jobs and careers come and go, as do pastors in the evangelical world, hence find your church and be present there first.
Very sound advice. After my dad went to be with the Lord, we moved back to my hometown and rooted deeply in our church and community.AGC said:Busch_League said:
What do you mean by put down roots for the long haul?
I mean committing to your church and community in a meaningful way. Throwing yourself into one through ups and downs, knowing that you'll be there no matter the outcome. Jobs and careers come and go, as do pastors in the evangelical world, hence find your church and be present there first.
No material on this site is intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. See full Medical Disclaimer.
I hear Calvin also invented Baseball.
Busch_League said:
May not relate necessarily to religion, but how did you figure out which career path you were meant to go down? Trial and error? Picking one and just grinding it out? I find myself disillusioned with never being able to find the right role or career. Would love any perspectives.
Left the Army and was pursuing a second degree (history) at A&M when I prayed for the Lord to lead me into a job that was realistic, not boring and where He wanted me.
I was a cop within six months of that prayer, invitation to apply came out of literally nowhere.
“If you’re going to have crime it should at least be organized crime”
-Havelock Vetinari
-Havelock Vetinari
10andBOUNCE said:
I hear Calvin also invented Baseball.
And since Babe Ruth called his homer (predestination) he must have been a Calvinist.
Except the rub is there was no double predestination. So it did not take away from the character of the game.
No material on this site is intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. See full Medical Disclaimer.
Do what you love and you'll never work a day in your life...
yeah, it's bull***** I still haven't found that job that I love, besides working at a boy scout camp in college!
I found mine through trial and error. Meaning, I tried a job, didn't like it, did something else for a few years, moved on. That's OK!
You don't have to find the one thing you'll do for life. It is OK to change. I advise my kids, just do something. Step out and try something. If it works, great. If it doesn't, that's great too.
I do not advise my kids in what to study. My childhood was different. My major was preordained by my dad. Did chemical engineering, never liked it, but kept getting As so I figured I had to stay in it. Did an internship with ADM and saw it wasn't what I wanted to do for 40 years, so I changed plans my senior year and became a school teacher for a few years. Later joined the military.
When I was single, I did feel the freedom to walk away from a career that I don't feel today with 4 kids and a wife. People do it, but they are braver than me. It does mean there have been years where I did just have to grind it out. I think any long term job will have times like that. I sometimes did that better than others.
Here's places I've failed, messing up my priorities. During one of the grinding times, I was very focused on my career. Working 50+ hour weeks at home, doing every extra job my boss asked, taking extra deployments. I forgot to prioritize my family. It took my wife calling me out and saying "we're better off when you are deployed" to wake me to my error. I've been working on keeping my priorities as God, Family (wife then kids), then Work.
I've also found that if I seek satisfaction in my job, I'll never find it. I will instead be running on the hedonic treadmill of chasing the next success. Instead, find your happiness in faith, family, and deep meaningful relationships.
And in any job you do, view it as a service to others. You do that, and you'll find that you love your job because you love serving others.
yeah, it's bull***** I still haven't found that job that I love, besides working at a boy scout camp in college!
I found mine through trial and error. Meaning, I tried a job, didn't like it, did something else for a few years, moved on. That's OK!
You don't have to find the one thing you'll do for life. It is OK to change. I advise my kids, just do something. Step out and try something. If it works, great. If it doesn't, that's great too.
I do not advise my kids in what to study. My childhood was different. My major was preordained by my dad. Did chemical engineering, never liked it, but kept getting As so I figured I had to stay in it. Did an internship with ADM and saw it wasn't what I wanted to do for 40 years, so I changed plans my senior year and became a school teacher for a few years. Later joined the military.
When I was single, I did feel the freedom to walk away from a career that I don't feel today with 4 kids and a wife. People do it, but they are braver than me. It does mean there have been years where I did just have to grind it out. I think any long term job will have times like that. I sometimes did that better than others.
Here's places I've failed, messing up my priorities. During one of the grinding times, I was very focused on my career. Working 50+ hour weeks at home, doing every extra job my boss asked, taking extra deployments. I forgot to prioritize my family. It took my wife calling me out and saying "we're better off when you are deployed" to wake me to my error. I've been working on keeping my priorities as God, Family (wife then kids), then Work.
I've also found that if I seek satisfaction in my job, I'll never find it. I will instead be running on the hedonic treadmill of chasing the next success. Instead, find your happiness in faith, family, and deep meaningful relationships.
And in any job you do, view it as a service to others. You do that, and you'll find that you love your job because you love serving others.
Good post. I have been very fortunate that most of the time I really love my work. I have a good derm friend who retired and tells me he misses helping and serving people. I firmly believe that is what God created us for. And that gives the glory to God.Pro Sandy said:
Do what you love and you'll never work a day in your life...
yeah, it's bull***** I still haven't found that job that I love, besides working at a boy scout camp in college!
I found mine through trial and error. Meaning, I tried a job, didn't like it, did something else for a few years, moved on. That's OK!
You don't have to find the one thing you'll do for life. It is OK to change. I advise my kids, just do something. Step out and try something. If it works, great. If it doesn't, that's great too.
I do not advise my kids in what to study. My childhood was different. My major was preordained by my dad. Did chemical engineering, never liked it, but kept getting As so I figured I had to stay in it. Did an internship with ADM and saw it wasn't what I wanted to do for 40 years, so I changed plans my senior year and became a school teacher for a few years. Later joined the military.
When I was single, I did feel the freedom to walk away from a career that I don't feel today with 4 kids and a wife. People do it, but they are braver than me. It does mean there have been years where I did just have to grind it out. I think any long term job will have times like that. I sometimes did that better than others.
Here's places I've failed, messing up my priorities. During one of the grinding times, I was very focused on my career. Working 50+ hour weeks at home, doing every extra job my boss asked, taking extra deployments. I forgot to prioritize my family. It took my wife calling me out and saying "we're better off when you are deployed" to wake me to my error. I've been working on keeping my priorities as God, Family (wife then kids), then Work.
I've also found that if I seek satisfaction in my job, I'll never find it. I will instead be running on the hedonic treadmill of chasing the next success. Instead, find your happiness in faith, family, and deep meaningful relationships.
And in any job you do, view it as a service to others. You do that, and you'll find that you love your job because you love serving others.
No material on this site is intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. See full Medical Disclaimer.
I'm curious what percentage of people actually love their jobs. It can't be that high, can it? I'm relatively successful in my chosen field and certainly enjoy parts of it but at the end of the day there are absolutely things I'd rather be doing. If I had the chance to go back and do it all over again, yeah I'd probably choose something else to do.
Wish I could give more helpful advice to the original poster. I guess the best I've got is don't waste your time doing something you know you hate. It's not worth the time or effort.
Wish I could give more helpful advice to the original poster. I guess the best I've got is don't waste your time doing something you know you hate. It's not worth the time or effort.
It's hard, I'm stuck in corporate work. I feel like my purpose is to make a Powerpoint slide look good.
My advise is to not settle and take a risk if you are not happy.
I've been contemplating this currently, I'm deep in my career and a change would be difficult but I'm wondering if there is greener grass to jump to.
My advise is to not settle and take a risk if you are not happy.
I've been contemplating this currently, I'm deep in my career and a change would be difficult but I'm wondering if there is greener grass to jump to.
Pro Sandy said:
Do what you love and you'll never work a day in your life...
yeah, it's bull***** I still haven't found that job that I love, besides working at a boy scout camp in college!
I found mine through trial and error. Meaning, I tried a job, didn't like it, did something else for a few years, moved on. That's OK!
You don't have to find the one thing you'll do for life. It is OK to change. I advise my kids, just do something. Step out and try something. If it works, great. If it doesn't, that's great too.
I do not advise my kids in what to study. My childhood was different. My major was preordained by my dad. Did chemical engineering, never liked it, but kept getting As so I figured I had to stay in it. Did an internship with ADM and saw it wasn't what I wanted to do for 40 years, so I changed plans my senior year and became a school teacher for a few years. Later joined the military.
When I was single, I did feel the freedom to walk away from a career that I don't feel today with 4 kids and a wife. People do it, but they are braver than me. It does mean there have been years where I did just have to grind it out. I think any long term job will have times like that. I sometimes did that better than others.
Here's places I've failed, messing up my priorities. During one of the grinding times, I was very focused on my career. Working 50+ hour weeks at home, doing every extra job my boss asked, taking extra deployments. I forgot to prioritize my family. It took my wife calling me out and saying "we're better off when you are deployed" to wake me to my error. I've been working on keeping my priorities as God, Family (wife then kids), then Work.
I've also found that if I seek satisfaction in my job, I'll never find it. I will instead be running on the hedonic treadmill of chasing the next success. Instead, find your happiness in faith, family, and deep meaningful relationships.
And in any job you do, view it as a service to others. You do that, and you'll find that you love your job because you love serving others.
Agree wholeheartedly. I remember taking this idea of "do what you love…." To a very respected and successful lawyer who had a hand in pre-marital counseling for my wife and I: he laughed. He said that's he's been incredibly fortunate in his career and wouldn't change it, but work is work and you can't get around that fact.
I'm glad he told me that, and to go further, I think that's important. "Vocation" has been redefined as work, when the historical reality is that your vocation was that of married or religious life. The only time your job is a calling is when you're doing religious work. If you aren't, then marriage and family is your calling and your job is only there to facilitate the marriage and family.
So my advice (based on a very frustrating journey to where I am now) is to pick the path that best allows you to be the husband and father you want to be. This will factor in what you are naturally skilled at. But I would suggest that, provided you don't find you job as a "calling", that you count it as a blessing because it frees you up mentally to do the incredibly important work that a husband and father must do, even when it means putting work aside
Sigh, I struggle with this one a lot because I was doing something that I felt was my "calling" and I had a life plan set out..but I got laid off and then was never able to quite get back into the same line of work. Now it feels like I've been out for too long and I can't back in. So now I'm in sales and while I use my skills and I think I do truly help a lot of people..so I concentrate on that aspect. My vocation is what I do for my community and my company, my role as a wife, daughter, sister... but I don't have the same send of purpose or love for my job I did when I was in my first career. But Luther talks a lot of about how even the most humble of career paths still have purpose and contribute to their world, and fulfill their Christian duty.
Frok said:
It's hard, I'm stuck in corporate work. I feel like my purpose is to make a Powerpoint slide look good.
I consider this as doing the Lord's work. Too many terrible pptxs out there!
Hopefully he uses the really cool newspaper spin transition on them. Those are how you know the real professionals.
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