How God is Guiding Me from College to a Career

When you are an upper-classman like me, the stress of finals season is tripled with career uncertainty and best friends moving away. With my last final in sight, I know graduation is nearing as well. Nearly half of my closest friends will be graduating in less than a week, and they all have very different, yet exciting plans for the future.

One of my friends is graduating from SMU and moving to Waco to study theology and business. My best friend is currently waiting to hear back from Raising Cane’s regarding whether he will be able to assist their commercial real estate team this summer. One of my best friends lives in northern California and is pursuing nursing. Another is moving back to North Carolina to work in the athletic department at the University of North Carolina. So, we are all over the map!

            It is fascinating to witness how differently we all react to the changes occurring daily in our lives. Some are ecstatic about what lies ahead. Some are nervous about graduation looming, and some are indifferent to it all.

Among all this change, quite a bit has changed in my life as well. All in just my junior year alone, I went from planning to become a criminal defense lawyer to starting a travel blog and adding a fashion media major. At one point, I took on a Spanish minor for which I was going to be studying abroad in Madrid this summer. Then, I took an interest in digital marketing, and am now doing social media for my Christian group on campus. But, I eventually found my way back to my true love, writing, and now I am pursuing a job in journalism. This does not include moving into my new apartment, starting a new job as a nanny, and joining a sorority.

My junior year has been filled with surprises that God already had planned for me. Every change-up, switch-up or start-up came as a surprise to me. Of course, surprises can be suspenseful, intimidating, or difficult to navigate when we cannot plan for the result. But that is just not me! I love surprises, so much so that I have thrown a surprise party for all of my best friends’ twenty-first birthdays! During the planning and execution of each party, I have learned that not knowing something makes it infinitely more exciting.

So, I am not afraid of the unknown. It is incredibly liberating knowing that not every move must be premeditated and methodical.

The best part is that God already knows where I am going to find a job. He knows who my friends are, what their jobs will be, and where. He is sovereign and thus, all-knowing and all-powerful. I have nothing to fear, but God. His power is awesome and only He alone knows my life plan. So, I have to trust in Him. And I will learn as I go.

Sadly, today, there is a “Christian drop-out” trend on college campuses. Typically, anywhere from 50 to 80 percent of college students who profess to be Christians leave the faith during their college career. I am so grateful that I have friends who encourage me to attend church and attend the weekly meetings with our campus ministry. My friends’ support has truly saved me. I worry that I would have become a statistic in the 50 to 80 percent if it were not for them.

Sometimes, I struggle to have faith in Him because I worry​ that I am making mistakes. Deciding which career to pursue, where to live, or who to build relationships with can be difficult. Often, I worry that I am making the “wrong” choice. What if I chose a first job that is entirely different from the career I “should” pursue? Will this inevitably lead me down a path that is different from my optimal career path? Thankfully, when I have these thoughts, I remind myself that God has a plan and that I must have faith.

Attending college has shown me how to have faith in God and myself. There have been so many ups and downs in my college career, with friends, grades, and even trying to find a Christian group on campus where I feel at home. But even when I floundered, He never did and He never will. I know He will be there for me during my first job, and beyond, just like He has been a constant throughout my time at SMU.

Among all of the common feelings like nervousness and eagerness, I am most of all, excited. I do not know what God has in store for me, but He has never steered me wrong. I know that if it is in His plan, it must be something good. I cannot wait to find out what is next for me!