My Story

[caninewoof]

I am a 25 year old from Greensboro, NC. I have a degree in religion. My original goal is to become a minster. Basically the system in place allows for good ol' boyism. I left my path prior to going to seminary. Luckly I found the girl of my dreams.

Two years later and I have not progressed that much. I am married and planing on starting an IT career. The problem is the recession that rocks my area. I cannot find a descent job while my wife can't find any job. My crisis is a battle to establish my self in an industry that I am learning about, while being the sole income provider. I would love feedback. I am a very social person and like interaction with people.

[cache]

Welcome!

So what are you doing now? Considering your degree will not give you a lot of "in's" in the IT world, do you have any expereince in IT? Any other certifications or anything? And most importantly, are you willing to move to find a position?

Regardless, it does take time, but be dilligent, read over some job finding threads here and you shouold get a better idea of the blanket that you need to cast while doing a job search.

Good luck. And LOL at "good ol' boyism.":D

[wordsmith]

What denomination, if you don't mind my asking? I know that the process for ordination varies from denomination to denomination...in mine, it's the result of a series of schooling, and pretty by the books procedural, so there's not a lotta room for the "who you know" stuff.

[meatwad]

Have you considered moving?

[caninewoof]

I am presently taking classes at a community college for networking. I am studying for the Network+ exam. Other than that I have nothing in that field. Moving right now would be difficult due to just getting married and be the sole income provider. I was attempting to become an United Methodist Church minster. I stopped after being told that it would require 2-3 yrs more due to being at a small church.

[wordsmith]

I was attempting to become an United Methodist Church minster. I stopped after being told that it would require 2-3 yrs more due to being at a small church.


Right, but how does it work, what's the process? I'm Lutheran, and our ordination process is very academic...it's like going to grad school. You go to seminary X years and complete the required study, and you're a pastor. I was just curious how it worked for you.

[caninewoof]

<Right, but how does it work, what's the process? I'm Lutheran, and our ordination process is very academic...it's like going to grad school. You go to seminary X years and complete the required study, and you're a pastor. I was just curious how it worked for you.>

The Methodist Chuch is a hybrid between actual experience and class work. My district requires active leadership for 1 year. They define that in a very particular way. Also I must provide evidence of my leadership such as journal. Depending on our guide (very candidate has a guide), the process varies. A former minster of mine told me that it was sad that I was treated the way that I was. The appointment process for the UMC is very who you know. If you have connections you could receive a very good postition within the church. What is your experience? Do you have experience working in a youth group?

[redsail]

I am presently taking classes at a community college for networking. I am studying for the Network+ exam. Other than that I have nothing in that field. Moving right now would be difficult due to just getting married and be the sole income provider. I was attempting to become an United Methodist Church minster. I stopped after being told that it would require 2-3 yrs more due to being at a small church.

Have you considered learning programming (java, .net, etc) in addition to networks? If you have a strong logical thought process you could pursue that avenue.

[wordsmith]

The appointment process for the UMC is very who you know. If you have connections you could receive a very good postition within the church. What is your experience? Do you have experience working in a youth group?

Oh, okay. It's different in my church, because when you complete your schooling, you're then matched with a congregation in need through a mutual matching process...you have to fit them, they have to fit you, and it's a mutual selection. I'd be naive to think that politics never figure in where somebody ends up, though, as with any job, really.

I used to be a youth outreach worker and director of youth programs for a Lutheran church, but I'm not ordained.

[winneythepooh7]

Maybe look for something in human services?