As I was preparing a lesson for my Year 9 Faith and Life class, I was reminded about the misconceptions that exist all around us today.
For the students in my class, I was hoping to show them that although they may think they know who God is and what He's all about, there may be some big gaps and untruths that they have picked up along the way. For example, Mary riding into Bethlehem on a donkey's back or three wise men visiting Jesus on the night that he was born. Neither of these "facts" are mentioned in the narrative of Jesus' birth, and yet somehow the general masses just assume this is true.
I'm finding it's the same with our understanding of careers and jobs. We all think we know what a teacher or a nurse does; after all, we've all experienced encounters with these people at one stage in our lives. Marking papers, meeting parents, giving injections, cleaning bed-pans - isn't that all there is to it? Like the misconceptions that persist in other areas of life, these stereotypes or untruths also stubbornly exist in our understanding of different trades and professions.
“ If you really want to understand what a certain job entails - taste and see for yourself”
Every day my inbox is filled with emails from organisations and professional associations inviting students to experience their industry firsthand. These experiences may include taster days, webinars, live stream guest speakers, testimonials, virtual work experience, expert panels and forums. I'm constantly promoting these opportunities on student news and yet the moment quietly passes and most students fail to taste, experience and learn for themselves what the industry is actually like or what it could be for them. In Psalm 38:4 we are challenged to "taste and see that the LORD is good". The inference is that if we allow ourselves to encounter God we will see firsthand for ourselves that He is a God who is unequivocally good in all He is and does. But only through tasting will we truly understand that greatness.
I would suggest it is the same with careers and jobs. If you really want to understand what a certain job entails - taste and see for yourself. Make the most of the opportunities and people that are there waiting and hoping for you to take up their offer and expertise. And just like in the culinary world, sometimes you will taste something and it won't appeal to your senses, but who knows? Maybe you will taste something that really captures your heart and opens doors to a brighter, more fulfilling career.
Carly Brouwer — Pathways Coordinator