Christian InFormation Life Change Notes from a Christian Perspective

As promised, here is the second edition in my series related to the transition from school into “adulthood”.

Career and work decisions are tricky and often full of emotions.

If you are anything like me you have probably been dreaming and talking about what you wanted to be when you “grow up” since you were little kid. I dreamed of becoming a doctor, an architect, a country music singer, and even at one point I was convinced I wanted to become a bag lady (I had no idea what that meant)!

Kids are primed early on to begin preparing for their futures and proclaiming who and what they want to become when they get older. I work a lot with college students and I am always amazed that at eighteen there is an expectation that you will select a major that will lead you into a career.

In this entry I plan to address myths/expectations students often feel about careers as well as a few truths about work world.

It’s that time a year where social media is covered by graduation photos! Graduating from high school and college are two of the biggest transitions that young adults experience.

Graduation means that possibilities are endless; it also means that new fears and anxieties are likely to arise full force. The reality is by the time most of us graduate from college we have been in some form of structured education since kindergarten—that is at least 17 years of having a predictable schedule and structure for your days and years. 17 years—that is the majority of your life when you graduate college at 22 years old.

So over the next few weeks I plan to share with you insights, questions, and ideas that I have learned from my own experience in transition, through my work as a counselor, and by asking recent graduates what questions have arisen as they navigate “adulthood”.

When we have suffered the death of someone loved, the idea of holiday celebrations may cause anxiety and dread rather than joy. There is stark contrast between the merriment and festivities of the season and the deep ache and desolation of our own heart. How can we possibly enjoy this time when our heart is broken? We want to run away and hide … do nothing … turn the calendar ahead to the next year. We often feel conflicted and confused, depressed and misunderstood. Although it is hard for us to believe, there really is hope and promise at this time of year.