How did you know that your carreer is the right one for you?

Question

I am kind of stuck between two choices. A psychologist or a youth minister. I am a christian, hence the second carreer choice, and I have been praying about it. How did you know what you chose was right though?

Ok, my reasoning for the psychologist is because I know I am supposed to counsel. I also have realized though, that I have been lead to teach several times for several different things. A few friends tell me I should be a youth minister and all too.

Answer 1

In a way I was prepared for my career from birth...in another, I kind of fell into it. I don't think I was completely convinced it was the right one for me until recently when I discovered a way to fully integrate my faith into my career in a way that lets me serve my calling.

When I got my undergraduate degree, I picked business...I thought I had the right temperment to succeed in a field that required me to come up with original strategies (I'm creative) and then implement those strategies effectively (I'm also logical). ...but I wasn't happy selling advertising or working as a bookkeeper...the jobs just seemed so meaningless. In the grand scheme of life, what does it matter if more people learn about the existence of a local restaurant?

I went to grad school mainly because I thought I just wasn't yet qualified for the type of "business" jobs I would find satisfying. ...and through a strange combination of circumstances, I ended up with my current career (college professor). I figured out this career "worked" for me because I've always had an aptitude for research (aptitude testing always pointed to science or engineering but I hated math and science!)...and because I had the "gift of gab" (from my father, who is also a professor). Writing was (and is) my greatest academic strength.

Even after 15 years of doing this job, I still wasn't totally convinced that is was the "right" job for me because I hadn't found a way to reconcile my research activities in marketing with my desire to make a contribution to God's plan. I finally figured this out when I read a book called "unChristian"...for the first time I realized that I could do what I feel like I've been called to do within the boundaries of my current career...that my career even supported and enhanced my ability to answer the call.

In short, I know it is right because my career rewards my greatest strengths and provides more than sufficient opportunities for me to serve God while serving my employer!

Re: your two choices, I would suggest you consider counseling rather than psychology...while similar, a degree in counseling undertaken with an eye toward a biblical worldview will serve you much better than a degree in psychology that focuses on identifying primarily psychological (rather than spiritual) sources of problems. My mom had a masters degree in counseling and child development...for a time, she served as a youth pastor and then later served as a professional counselor to assist church members with their problems. Counseling will give you more options than psychology should you later decide that youth minister was a better choice for you.

Answer 2

Pray about it. I prayed about being a psychologist and God told me NO. HIs word and Freud don't really mix too well.
If you are a youth minister you will be counselling all the time! Pray for wisdom and the counsel of the Holy spirit!

Answer 3

Basically because I was drawn to it. It was something I wanted to do when I was younger, but didn't think I could. Now I know better. If you feel you are drawn to teaching, then by all means try it out! Most of us go through several jobs/careers before finding the one that fits us just right and makes us happy.

Answer 4

I have been an elementary school teacher for 26 years. This is my 27th. I want to teach for 7-10 more years.
My mom was a teacher. I saw how she loved it.

You know in your heart.

I wish you all the best.

Answer 5

To answer your question ..I must say you go to the the job that will really let you shine and make you feel happy......God gave us freewill to choose and when we pray for His assistance surely he will give it to us no matter what you think to your chosen work even if sometimes we may feel our work is not for us because of the hassle tassel we experience just keep on praying..anyway you can change it if you feel its not worth it ....you need to first experience before you can say it is best when you experience the two job then choose ..its really stressful to go on work if your feeling is not on the work...ok God bless you.

Answer 6

I made my career choice from the Yahoo Answers I got in answer to my quest for discovery, and then I knew I was on the right road to success.

Answer 7

Go with what you love the most. The best career choice is picking the one you love, not the one that makes the most money or the most logic one.

Answer 8

I do that which lights up my energy, that make feel like I have a good purpose, and that which motivates me to work real hard at it. It is an area, in which I feel I am capable of contributing positively to this world.

Answer 9

Good question. A friend of mine who is an adult probation officer is trying to get me to go into that field. My degree isn't in Criminal Justice or Psychology, but I must admit it is tempting.

Answer 10

Whichever one makes the most money.