Growing up, you are always told that school years start with pre-school and end with a college degree. When I was 17 and graduating high school, not even an adult yet, I had to decide what I wanted to do for the rest of my life. My mom laid out a bunch of papers with careers and salaries on them and so I chose one. I chose the one that looked the most interesting for the most money to be made. I changed my major four times throughout college and it took me 5 1/2 years to get a bachelor’s degree.
I was born with a passion for music, sports and helping others. That’s exactly the type of career that I want, and it’s no wonder that the jobs I have now display those passions. I don’t regret college. I have truly enjoyed learning about my major and getting a degree. Finishing and getting my degree with honors, I felt like I had accomplished something huge and was proud of myself. But since walking across that stage, the only thing I have done with my degree is start paying off the loans it took to get it. I earned a degree because I thought that’s just what you were supposed to do. It didn’t matter if you truly enjoyed what you were learning, or realized that whatever you chose you would be doing for the rest of your life. Not even living 25 percent of my life yet, all I knew is that I had to make a choice on what to do with the other 75 percent.
A lot of people stay in a job that makes them a lot of money, but they have to work hours that don’t allow them to be with their spouses, friends or kids. A lot of people do what they have to do to get by. A lot of people stay in their career field even when they hate it, because that is the degree they got, and so that is the job they keep. I applaud people who are in their 50’s and have always worked three or four jobs to make ends meet. But that isn’t any way to live unless you are single, thoroughly enjoy all of your jobs, as well as the hours that you work. Life is meant to be lived and enjoyed. I work hard now in my 20’s doing what I need to do to make life more enjoyable every day. I want to look forward to my future and not dread being 60 years old still going through the motions of a daily job. I want to do what I was called to do, and if you work for the Lord rather than people, you will be successful.
"Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for human masters" Colossians 3:23†
I don’t think college is the best route for every one. Some people need that adventure and experience, while others could do without it and have other plans. At 17, we have no idea what we are supposed to be doing. And spending money on a degree we don’t even know if we want or need, sounds pretty silly to me. There isn’t a nine to five job out there that can supply me with the amount of people that I want to help, or fill the full passions that burn deep in my soul. I don’t want to help a community, I want to help communities. In order to do this, I need money, and I know that working a job in my degree field won’t give me enough of that. I want to travel, but also stay home with my kids, and I can’t make just above poverty level salary if those are my plans. I have to figure something else out and so that is what I am doing.
Most people will say that I wrote this article to make myself feel better, and maybe that’s true in a sense because I’ve had enough of the comments and odd looks after I tell someone the degree I have, and the job that didn’t come after it. But I am mostly writing this article because there are so many people out there walking about with a college degree, a massive amount of debt, and feel the pressures of “using their degree because they paid for it, and it can’t go to waste." My college experience wasn’t a waste. The amount of good, genuine people that I met, moving to another state, going to a huge university, being a part of groups, learning material every day on how to make the world a better place and how to help others was worth it. But I won’t take a job, just to have a job, if I don’t need to. I won’t let the fact that I have a degree confine me to one place. And I will be OK because I will make sure that I am okay. I will do what it takes and create the opportunity that I need to be successful. I have Philippians 4:13† tattooed on my arm for a reason.
"I can do all things through Christ who gives me strength"
If there is something out there that you are passionate about, chase it. I am back to working four jobs. Four jobs that I truly enjoy. The jobs that I have, I enjoy going to every day. I am not confined to a cubicle where I know I wouldn't be happy. You may have went to college to be a nurse, and understandably you had to go to college if you wanted a job in that field originally, but maybe you are thinking you want to take a difference route. Make it happen. As long as you are providing for yourself and your family, you can do anything you want to. This might mean working four jobs for a little while, but you spent four years in school while trying to make ends meet, so you can do it! Don’t settle because of a degree you got when the only meal you knew how to make was ramen noodles and mac and cheese. If you feel like you can’t change directions now, or it’s too late because of the money already spent, pray about it, have faith and ask for guidance in making decisions. Do what you want to do. Do what you were called to do. If you don’t, you will hit many roadblocks until you do so because you aren’t fulfilling your duty to yourself, or to others who may need you in a different place than you are now. If you want a better life, find a way to make it happen. Happiness is free! Soak it up!
