In my first ever article for Christian Today, ‘When I grow up…’ (August 2015), I wrote a little about my journey toward figuring out which vocation to follow, and upon what to base such decisions.
In this article, I suggested five approaches I had considered for choosing a career path:
#1 Go for security
#2 Career bucket list
#3 Fix the world
#4 Take any job that’s available
#5 Consider your preferences and abilities
At the end, I finally concluded that I enjoy thinking, researching, reading, writing and learning languages, and that it would be best for me to pursue jobs relating to these activities.
Career progress report
After leaving classroom teaching and returning to uni to study a translation masters at Monash University (2015-2017), I felt like a duck returning to water. Very soon, I began to look at publication opportunities in academic journals to start to build a portfolio which could lead to a PhD and a possible career (for however long) in academia.
Now in Peru, after ticking off a few more short-term occupations from my ‘bucket list’ (Peruvian housewife, guinea pig farmer, poet, wandering minstrel, and salsa band director), I’m starting to plan for my PhD proposal with the hope of commencing in 2018.
Why academia?
Why do I want to study a PhD?
Is it to have the title of ‘Dr’ before my name and letters after it?
…Sounds good!
Is it to have the opportunity to work and lecture at a university?
…Sounds great!
Is it because I think there aren’t enough books and knowledge in the world?
…Absolutely not!
Honestly, I just find academia fun.
I enjoy reading, researching, processing and writing up ideas, participating in deep conversations and hearing talks by academics – all in close proximity to a number of cosy cafés, of course.
I enjoy being in an environment where everyone finds phenomena in the world fascinating and devotes themselves to searching out patterns and connections between ideas and theories, as well as testing their hypotheses through research.
I enjoy work which mixes time alone with some time spent teaching and time in meetings with co-workers.
Finally, I like the idea of being paid to do what I do best – study!
True knowledge and wisdom
What does the Bible have to say about study, knowledge and wisdom?
Certainly, in the book of Proverbs, we are admonished to acquire knowledge (chapter 18, verse 15).
But how is knowledge defined?
Proverbs chapter 1, verse 7 explains:
‘The fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge, but fools despise wisdom and instruction.’
And in Proverbs chapter 2, verse 6:
‘For the LORD gives wisdom; from his mouth come knowledge and understanding.’
So then, study will not give me wisdom, knowledge and understanding, because these come only from Yahweh.
In fact, the writer of Ecclesiastes warns of the danger of seeking knowledge elsewhere:
‘The words of the wise are like goads, their collected sayings like firmly embedded nails—given by one shepherd [or Shepherd]. Be warned, my son, of anything in addition to them.
Of making many books there is no end, and much study wearies the body.’
(Ecclesiastes chapter 12, verses 11-12)
So, I am reminded that although the occupation of ‘academic’ or ‘researcher’ may be enjoyable and valued by others, my most valued knowledge, wisdom and understanding will always come from the Holy Scriptures. If there is any book in which I aim to be an expert, knowledge of the Bible is the most valuable knowledge I could ever possess, if I respond to its content in love and obedience to personify its teachings in my life.
As a job, I would love to be an academic (for a time, at least).
However, my lifetime calling is to ‘Fear God and keep his commandments,
for this is the duty of all mankind’ (Ecclesiastes chapter 12, verse 13).
The fear of Yahweh and obedience to His commandments is the substance of real wisdom, and makes a person much wiser than a PhD ever could!
Rosanne Menacho is an Australian currently living in Peru with her husband to spend time living with his family. She works as a writer, and her website and books can be found at www.rosannemenachowriter.com. In her spare time, Rosanne enjoys playing music, dancing, translating and drinking herbal tea. Her heart is to worship and represent the Creator in spirit and in truth, and to see the arrival of the Messianic kingdom on Earth.
Rosanne Menacho’s previous articles may be viewed at http://www.pressserviceinternational.org/rosanne-menacho.html
Rosanne Menacho is an Australian currently living in Peru with her husband to spend time living with his family. She works as a writer, and her website and books can be found at www.rosannemenachowriter.com. In her spare time, Rosanne enjoys playing music, dancing, translating and drinking herbal tea. Her heart is to worship and represent the Creator in spirit and in truth, and to see the arrival of the Messianic kingdom on Earth.
Rosanne Menacho’s previous articles may be viewed at http://www.pressserviceinternational.org/rosanne-menacho.html