Working Out That Whole Future Thing

This year has involved a lot of trying to figure out what my future might or should hold. This isn't a unique characteristic. Plenty of seniors are on the same boat as me. However, that doesn't make it any less stressful! 

I know I’m interested in continuing my study of religion and theology at the graduate level and would love, one day, to be a professor in that area. However, the job market for higher education isn’t great, so I’m trying to determine how I can follow my passion for theological and religious studies in a practical way that can lead to a career. 

Originally, I had been looking at Master of Arts programs in Religion and a Masters of Theological Studies program. These are primarily academic degrees that serve as preparation for a Ph.D. My plan was to pursue one of those degrees, if I was given funding, and discern from there whether or not I wanted to continue for my doctorate; if not, I wanted to use that academic background in a church or non-profit setting. When I went to my professors for guidance, however, they gave me more options to consider. Some encouraged me to look at Master of Divinity degrees from seminaries as well. These would still allow me to pursue a Ph.D., if I desire, but open the doors to more opportunities in the church, non-profits, etc. 

Now, as I look at my list of graduate schools I’m applying to in the U.S.,  it’s primarily seminaries! One of my professors even suggested I consider ordination as a possible option. I’m far from sold on that idea, though it’s scary to even have floating in the back of my mind. As someone who grew up in the Roman Catholic church, being a priest was never really a career option I could mull over in childhood. It is something available to me, however, if I join the Episcopal church, which feels increasingly likely.   

This semester so far has shown me that, even as a senior in college, I still have a lot to figure out in terms of vocation. I appreciate that I’ve been able to seek out my own pathway in community with others. This year I’ve gotten involved in our campus’s Pre-Ministry group, which meets biweekly to discuss topics like vocation, ministry, and serving God in our future careers. I’ve loved being able to have these discussions with fellow students and our interim chaplain.

At a meeting last Thursday, our interim chaplain shared with us the story of discovering his vocation. A group of us stayed afterwards for a chat about life, God, vocation, etc. I didn’t leave with a particularly clear idea of where I should go for the future—but I did leave feeling excited about God and the relationships I have on this campus. 

Overall, it’s amazing to think about how much my plans have changed (even if they aren’t definite) over the course of four years. As a freshman, I entered college with a set career path in mind. My main professional goal was to be a novelist who wrote young adult fiction. I assumed, to make a living, I would enter editing and publishing. Over my four years, I’ve realized that I don’t have a strong interest in being involved in the publishing business (besides one day being a published writer hopefully) and that there might be other career paths better suited for me. I spent some time considering being a librarian and an archivist before feeling, eventually, that both of those weren’t for me either. I found that I kept returning to the idea of graduate school for religion or theology in my head. I kept wanting to write this off as impractical, but the idea has pretty much grabbed hold of me. As you can tell from the rest of the post, I’ve decided that I need to at least give this idea a chance and see where it might lead.

Whether or not grad school will even be a financially feasible option, when acceptance and rejection time comes, remains to be seen. But I’m excited that I’m giving myself a chance to see.  

Senior Year!

Sorry for the silence! I’ve somehow managed to get to Week 5 of my senior year without updating this blog.

It’s been a busy few weeks since I’ve started back at school. I spent the summer in Selinsgrove, working full-time in the University Communications office and living in my on-campus townhouse with a friend also working over the summer. Summer in Selinsgrove is a much different animal than the school year. Though I worked forty hours a week, I had a lot of free time to spend on some not-so-productive activities, like watching the Pretty Little Liars series and wedding shows with my housemate. Campus was also much quieter and emptier. I found that pretty eerie the first few weeks, but I adjusted. Getting used to the bustle of campus again was actually pretty jarring after those summer months.

The harder adjustment, of course, was to the bustle of school year life!

As a senior, I’m trying to figure out post-graduate plans. That has been a priority since the school year has started. This summer I began working on applications for fellowships that would provide me with funds for graduate school internationally. Specifically, I am applying for a Rhodes scholarship, a Mitchell scholarship, and a Fulbright scholarship. These applications are due in October, and I will certainly be relieved once they are submitted—though the stress will continue if I am offered an interview for any of the scholarships. I’d be very grateful for that type of stress, however!

I am also hoping to apply to U.S. graduate school programs, though that’s been temporarily placed on the backburner as I scramble to complete fellowship applications. I know that I’m interested in studying theology or religion at the graduate level, but I am still struggling to determine what my exact plans are, particularly after earning a Master's degree. Some of my professors suggested I look at seminary programs, which offer a Master of Divinity degree. This type of degree might lead to more job opportunities than a Master of Arts in Religion or a Master's in Theological Studies. Throughout the semester and year, I think I will still be trying to figure out what the best pathway for me is.

I recently joined the Pre-Ministry club on campus which meets every two weeks to talk about issues like vocation and careers that involve our faith. I am hoping I will gain more clarity on the next steps I want to take through participation in the group. Our interim university chaplain (who is also one of the Religion department’s professors) is planning on being involved with the club. I am excited to gain some more insight from him on my plans this year.

Of course, I have also been juggling my classes as well. I am taking Intro to Judaism, a Religion course called Faiths and Values, Advanced Poetry, Intro to Statistics, and a senior creative writing capstone class. Intro to Judaism has probably been my most interesting class so far and I think, in the long-term, it will be very beneficial to me, especially since I have an interest in interfaith dialogue. I also love that it is being taught by our campus’s rabbi, Rabbi Palley.

In terms of social life, it’s been great to have friends back on campus that I missed all summer. Spending time with my friends has been a great calming factor in the midst of all the senior year chaos I’ve experienced so far. I’m excited for all the fun memories we’re going to accumulate together this year, and I’m not so thrilled when think about us leaving each other for whatever life has in store next.