Reality of Work

This is a post in response to: Todd's Blog.

Hey todd, I was met with a similar situation when I first started working. The impression that I get is that this is what everyone has to "suffer" in order to find any sort of purpose or meaning in their occupation. Since we're still young and unproven, we are not given the opportunities to really test our mettle or show them what we can do. The truth is, most people that these companies hire suck ass. They're either dumb or incompetant. We're actually a select minority that are very capable at what we do. But then again, we are both in fields where you have to be truly exceptional to "succeed".

After coming to grips with this and realizing that the "dream" of getting paid for doing nothing was a sham; I set my heart and mind at "succeeding". Not necessarily in the secular sense of financial success, but more of a personal success, one where I am doing what I want to do.

Just like everything else in life, you have to work hard to get what you want. There are a select few people who are born into it, but these are probably 1% of the populace, if even. No, you have to work hard for the things you want. Being a Christian is hard. You are faced with trials and temptations everyday. You struggle to try and see what God has for you and why you are where you are. But our job is not to question or wonder why. Our job is to just do.

In the same vain, we need to work hard in our careers to get to where we want to be. At this early stage, we have to make sacrifices because the opportunities given us are far and few between. People think that once you've been to college and you get that piece of paper, things will be golden. The truth is, that piece of paper is almost meaningless, both in a spiritual sense and a real world sense. There are very few occupations out there that actually require a degree. Of all the interviews that I've been to, I've only been asked for my transcript twice. Why? Because these few companies are actually looking for a degree and that you have the educational background to do the work that you will be assigned. This is not to say that college doesn't have its benefits, it does, but to spend $30-40K USD on what is, essentially, a big party or club, doesn't seem worth it.

We are in a very special place called America, where you have the ability to achieve what ever you desire, as long as you are willing to work for it. You read all these stories about entrepeneurs and other successful people. Sure, some of the people are exceptionally talented or smart or whatever. But what these people have that most people lack is the drive, discipline, and determination to work for what they want.

Now, the desire to work hard may not always be there, that's where discipline comes into play. Other times, there are not opportunities to work hard. When that happens, you need to sit down and evaluate your position. Are there any career paths from where you are? Can you move laterally to another position in the same company? Should you jump to another company? Should you start your own company? A lot of times, these questions are hard to answer. The job market is so diverse and job descriptions are so obtuse, it's hard to make out in which direction you can or should go. The beauty of all of this is that we have a God that is meticulously crafting our futures. I'm a firm believer that we should wonder less and do more. What did God say to Abram in the wilderness? Go, and I shall be with you. Abram didn't know where he was going or how he was going to get there. But he walked with faith and a new name.

God calls for men of action. All of the great Biblical heroes, David, Abraham, Jesus, they were all doers. They didn't sit around and wait for some "sign". They prayed and went for it, trusting that no matter what happened, it would be used for His good. Notice, it is His good, not ours. The choices we make, may not always be what God wants, but that doesn't mean that he still can't use our mistakes and our stupid choices for His good. We may enter jobs and different situations wondering, "Why?". Again, it is not our job to know. It is our job to do.

God also rewards patience. Jesus spent 40 days in the wilderness preparing for his ministry. Moses spent 40 years in the wilderness preparing Israel. They took a long term approach to things and looked past the volotility of the present. They set goals and worked to achieve those goals. At the same time, they were aware of what was happening at the time, not being too tunnel visioned to see when things needed to change. So, bide your time. The work you do at work may be dull, but use the time that you are given to do other things. If you feel that you are not being challenged intellectually, take up some freelance work. I know when Pei was working at Random House, she had freelance jobs as well as her main job.

The ultimate way to do what you want is to start your own business. Nothing challenges you more than to figure out how you will get your business off the ground so that you can make a living off of it. It requires you to wear many hats too. You have to be the PR person, promoting your company. You have to be HR, looking for people to help your company succeed. You have to be the accountant, the manager, the network admin, the salesperson. You have to be all these different things. But you will do what you want to do.

I'm in a very lucky position in the sense that I just had an interview on Tuesday that will allow me to do what I want. Up to this point, a job has always been about getting paid or health insurance. This is the first opportunity that I will be, not only using my talents and skills, but having them tested. That challenge is emmensely exciting.

So, in the midst of my rant and several tangents, what am I trying to say? Basically, hold tight. You're only 22. You're working in the industry that you want to work in. Use this chance to start networking. Get to know your coworkers, and maybe, one day, they'll be able to help you out later with a better job. Just trust that God will use you no matter where you are or what you're doing. If He uses the nations that are against Him for His purposes, how much more will He use the nation that is for Him for His purposes.

Here's the shorter summary: Suck it up.