I am currently working through the topic of majors and careers with juniors and also just finished another College Bus Tour with 41 juniors in which we visited 6 colleges in 3 days (Messiah, Penn State, Grove City, University of Pittsburgh, Johns Hopkins and University of Maryland). Something I hear often when discussing majors with students and also talking with alumni of Delaware County Christian School is that it is important to get a “good” job. However, nobody seems to ever understand or know what a “good” job means. Most people determine that a “good” job is one that you can make a lot of money. Others may say that a “good” job is one in which you are doing what you love to do. Both of these interpretations of a “good” job have some truth to them but I also think there are many misunderstandings when it comes to getting a “good” job. Let’s look at some myths when it comes to finding a “good” job and see if we can come to a bit more of an understanding of what a “good” job is.
Myth #1: A “good” job is one that makes me a lot of money.
I tell students all of the time that you can make all the money in the world, but if you do not enjoy what you are doing and you are not using the gifts and passions that God has given you to glorify Him in your work, then you will ultimately be miserable. High school students assume that in order to be happy in life you need “a lot” of money. I don’t think they even know how much “a lot” is, but they get the idea in their heads that if I have enough to afford the things that I want to make me happy, I will end up living a happy life. This ultimately is a heart issue and understanding who we are in Christ. Are we storing up treasures on earth or in heaven? Which is going to make us happy (which happiness is here today and gone tomorrow) or joyful (which lasts) and being content?
Myth #2: I need to get a “good” job right out of college
There are individuals who do land a “good” job (well paying in a field they were studying) right out of college but this is also pretty rare. Most need to start “at the bottom” and work their way up, gaining experience and skills and knowledge necessary to move “up the ladder”. Most starting salaries are in the $30,000-40,000 a year range but some start lower and there are jobs in the science, medical and computer fields that pay more. Nevertheless, a lot of individuals get a job in something they are not really excited about but they can network, gain experience, get the knowledge and even training in areas they enjoy and then use that to transition to a position that does utilized their gifts, abilities and skills a bit more. I get discouraged when I hear individuals turn down job opportunities right out of college because it wasn’t exactly what they wanted to do. Then they are still not working because they are looking for that perfect fit. When you are 23-30 years old, there may not be a “perfect fit”, but God may provide opportunities that you should take advantage of in order to grow and learn. Take advantage of these opportunities even if it may not pay what you want to be the exact job description you want.
Myth #3: I need to get a job that is in the same field as my major in college.
There is obviously nothing wrong with this and a number of people do get jobs that are in line with their degree, however, it is okay to pursue opportunities that come along that may not be what your degree is in. I share with the juniors in my Career Stewardship class with them that there are 10-12 majors that students need to start taking courses to fulfill requirements to complete right away freshman year. These majors are ones that you need a degree in a specific area to get a job in that field after college. Some of these majors include Engineering, Nursing, Occupational Therapy, Athletic Training, Physical Therapy, Education, Accounting, Architecture, Pharmacy, etc.
There are then a plethora of other majors that you can start fulfilling the requirements 2nd semester of sophomore year and still complete your degree to 4 years. These include English, Psychology, Business, Political Science, Math, Communications, Marketing, Pre tracks (Law, Med), etc. You can major in any of these more broad majors and get a job in a field that doesn’t have to do with your major. What is more important when applying for jobs with one of these majors is great communication and interview skills, willingness to learn, strong work ethic, working well with others. I am not saying that you do not need these skills to be successful in one of the “specific” majors mentioned above, but it is not as important.
Myth #4: A “good” job lets me live the way I want to live
I am going to piggyback a bit on the first myth. High school students tend to think that they need to get a job that supports the “way they want to live” which means making enough money in order to get the nice house and cars, be able travel, have kids and buy things they want. While all of this sounds nice, one really needs to re-evaluate their motives and selfish desires if this is the case. Let me also say that there is nothing wrong with any of these things. If God does provide because one is able to pursue a career in something they enjoy, love and are using the gifts and abilities God has given them, that is great. I know people that are able to afford more than others but they are also very generous, giving individuals whose heart is in the right place. It’s when we pursue these things with the intention that this is the only way to be (or seem) successful and we are concerned about our reputation more than joyfulness and being content in what God has provided.
I tell my students all the time that if you are pursuing a career utilizing the opportunities God has presented to you, and you are using the gifts, talents and abilities he has given you, you will make enough money to provide for you and your family. If we have the proper perspective of who we are in Christ and that we are stewards of everything he has provided for us, we are going to be “successful” and have joy in our lives.
Myth #5: There are only a handful a “good” jobs out there.
I wanted to make sure that everyone knows that there are more majors to pursue in college than you think and there are so many types of jobs and careers in today’s workforce that we are not even aware of. There are many majors and careers that haven’t even been created yet. Please keep pursuing the opportunities that God provides for you today utilizing the gifts, talents and abilities He’s given you and He will eventually place you in the major and then career He has planned for you. For more information about today’s workforce and what occupations there are please visit https://cew.georgetown.edu/
