WHEN YOU'RE ASKED TO DO CAREER COUNSELING
Michael Jinkins
October 1, 1991
Alan surprised me one Sunday morning by popping into our worship service unannounced; he had driven close to two hours to attend. As one of the youngest members of the youth group in our previous church, it seemed like Alan had grown up with our family, so after the service I asked him to come home for lunch. "That'd be great," he said. "But could you take a quick ride with me first?" We walked out to the parking lot, got into his sleek sports car, and took off. "I've been going through a confusing time lately," he admitted. "I'm doing well in the company where I work. If I stay a few more years, I could work my way into an executive position. I've met a wonderful girl. Everything is going great." He paused and gripped the wheel tighter. "But, I feel as though I'd like to go a different direction. I've been interested in counseling and psychology ever since you were at our church. And, well, I think I'd like to become a psychologist. When I talk about it with my fianc‚, I think I've settled the issue, and then I change my mind. We discuss it again, I decide to stay where I am, and then I have second thoughts." Alan looked down the stretch of Texas highway and swallowed. "My fianc‚ became frustrated with me the other day and asked why I didn't talk to someone whose view I respect. She asked me who that might be, and I told her it would be you. So she said, 'Next Sunday you're going to go see him.' And here I am. Now, what do you think I should do?" Ministers are often on the front line of vocational counseling. Young people confront us, searching for ways to invest their lives. Unhappy adults come with questions about career changes. Pink-slip victims often have no idea where to start over. I wasn't trained in vocational guidance. ...
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