Subscribe to the NetworkGraduate + No Career = Depressed
Chuck on December 16th, 2008
I met with a guy today for a few hours who is a college grad and still waiting tables at a restaurant. He has a degree in a very respected area, but still hasn’t found a career oriented job in that field. The struggle is deep, and people in his position often deal with feelings of depression, insignificance, and humiliation.
Nobody goes to college with the dream of NOT finding a job. The hopes of a financially successful future is at the core of EVERY college student. But after graduating many find their hopes turning into feelings of hopelessness. Pride is shattered. Dreams crushed. Hopes squelched.
If you’re dealing with people in this position, here are 4 things we ought to remind them of:
- God is at work. Although the sociological progression they were hoping for isn’t panning out, they have to keep in mind that God is interested in them progressing in much more significant ways. We have to remind people that God is interested in their spiritual growth and maturity and He can – and will – do anything to keep us focused on that.
- Make sure to listen. We can continue to push forward for success in society, or listen to what God is teaching us about Him and ourselves. We have to remind them that God may be hindering circumstances in the career field for a much greater purpose!
- Check your heart. Many times feelings of hopelessness come in because of the sin of pride and envy. There’s nothing to be proud of when you graduate from college and can’t find a job. But, maybe this is what God is doing! Maybe, if we look at this with spiritual wisdom and insight (Colossians 1:9-10), God is protecting your heart from being arrogant and is forcing humility in your life. This, from a spiritual perspective, is way more worthwhile. But, the sin of envy creeps in and we look and see where others we graduated with are – who maybe end up coming into the restaurant we’re serving in and we serve them while they’re on their business trip. We have to remind people about the sin issue driving their feelings and ask them to listen to what God is saying to them about that.
- Don’t rob the process. It’s so easy for us to concentrate on what we don’t have and what we wish we did. When we do, we end up pushing for what we want, often robbing what God is doing in our life. If God hasn’t shown us a career direction yet, what might He be wanting to teach you? That’s where we ought to be focusing. We have to remind people that THIS is THE time to learn the lessons God is teaching.
You may want to seriously consider how you walk college students through their hope in a future career and financial security/success as well…maybe we’ll deal with that in another blog.
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Good thoughts Chuck. Although this might be a little strange, the four thoughts struck me as being applicable to dating/break-ups too. With some slight alterations, there is good counsel there when a social relationship doesn’t go as planned.