How do you figure out, as an eighteen-year-old- or even younger, in my case- what you want to do with the rest of your life? It's hard. Really hard. How does one take everything into account and make an informed decision?
Maybe you decided years ago, and you have it all figured out.
Or maybe you're like me and THOUGHT you had it all figured out... and then you thought about it some more.
Whichever situation you're in, before you commit to your plans, it's good to pray about it, look at it from every perspective, and make the best decision possible.
Here's my recommendation: Write down all of your options on a piece of paper. Pray for the Holy Spirit's guidance. Now, go through each of your options, one by one, and consider each question on this list:
Is this path morally acceptable?
Will you have to do anything that goes against your faith?
Is this something you will enjoy and can see yourself doing in the future?
If the answer to the first and last question is yes, and the second question is no, then keep going to the next set of questions! If not, cross that idea off of your list!
For this next set of questions, just consider each of them for each possible scenario.
Financially:
How much money will this path cost to pursue?
Will you be in debt as a result? How much?
Will you be able to pay off any debt if you work in your chosen career?
Vocationally:
Depending on what Vocation God calls you to, will this path work with that, or will it prevent you from fully living out your Vocation?
If you are called to marriage, would you like a job in which you can stay home with your children?
If you are called to religious life or the priesthood, will you realistically be able to pay off any debt you have accumulated from taking this path?
Is this path in line with the ways that you have felt called to serve in the past?
Who is this job or career path benefitting or helping?
Can you support yourself, let alone a family, with the amount of money I'd make on this trajectory?
If you are in a relationship and plan on getting married in the next few years, how will this decision affect your relationship and your plans to get married?
If you are discerning with a religious community or discerning the priesthood, have you spoken with your diocese or religious community to seek their guidance?
If you're discerning going to college:
Is this a college close or far from home?
Does the school have a good Catholic community or parish nearby?
What is the average tuition?
Is the school a healthy environment to grow in your faith, or will it hinder you?
Will you pursue a two or four-year degree?
What degree do you need for the job you'd like to have?
Is there a way to pursue the job you'd like without going to college? (i.e., certifications, trade school, online courses, etc.)
Would you live at school or commute from home?
Could you work for now and then see if you need a degree later on in life?
Is a degree in this field a prudent use of your time, money, and energy?
Are you willing to spare a few years to pursue this degree?
What would you do after you graduate college? Over breaks?
Does the degree you study for require you to attend graduate school to reasonably expect to get a job? Are you willing to spend the time, money, and energy necessary to do that?
If you're discerning finding a job or joining the military:
How realistic is it that you will obtain the position that you want?
If you take this path, will you live at home, or will you live elsewhere?
Will you be able to support yourself and your family someday on an estimated salary?
Will you pursue a degree later in life or stick with the same job?
Will you need to pay for any training to get the job you want?
Is the position you're looking at taking safe, or at least worth risking your safety?
If you're discerning missionary work:
Is this a cause that you feel strongly about?
Will you be able to live out your Catholic faith in this setting?
How long of a commitment would you have to this work?
Would you work through an organization or on your own?
Is the organization you would be working through aligned with your Catholic beliefs?
What sort of work would you be doing?
Where would you be living?
What would come after your work is done and you go home?
How will you raise money to support yourself and your mission?
For anything you're discerning:
How will this decision help you to grow in your faith in God and your love and service to His people?
How will this decision affect your life in the next month?
Year? Five years? Ten years? Twenty years? Fifty years?
How will your decision affect your family and the people you love?
What is the end goal of this decision?
Am I passionate about this decision?
Will this path allow me to use the gifts that God has given me for His glory?
Once you've answered these questions (and any others that you think are important), look at your options once more: Which of the options now seems like the best? Pray about it for as long as you need (or as long as you have...) and then make your decision and stick to it!
For me, it was crucial that I took a path that would allow me to get through college as quickly as possible with a degree that I could use to work from home while I stay home with any children I have someday. I also wanted to avoid being stuck with tons of student loan debt. Also, it would have been challenging to go to college online, as I'd initially thought, because of home situations. I also wanted to study something that would be useful in my blogging ministry and in some other plans that I have...
For those reasons, and after taking everything into account, I chose to go to Saint Francis University and study Business Administration to earn my Associate degree (2 years). Later on, I'll be working to earn a certification in Catholic Theology. (Side note: Saint Francis University is a great Catholic college, and I'd highly recommend checking it out if you're discerning getting a college education!)
It took me a long time to decide what I wanted to do after high school... hours of googling programs, weighing my options, and trying to determine what was best. In the end, though, I am happy with my decision! In today's world, there are so many paths that can be taken. As Catholics, we have the added responsibility of looking to the future, to our Vocation, and taking into account what will best help us to serve those around us and those whom we will serve and be responsible for. Deciding what comes next after high school is a big decision, not one to be taken lightly. However, with some prayer and careful consideration, a well-informed decision is most definitely possible. Give it to God! As St. Padre Pio said, "Pray, hope, and don't worry!"
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