More engineering - thoughts from the real world

So I was at a party for a ministry I used to be part of (obviously not anymore, since I'm not in Calgary these days, haha), where I found myself chatting with the ministry co-director (I also found out that his wife was childhood friends with my Fourth Year Design adviser. Small world, I guess. Haha), who I found out, was an electrical engineer. Naturally, I hopped on this opportunity to ask questions.

What did you think of Engineering (school)?
Too general. I guess it's not just us who feel that we don't really learn all that much at school. The designation of "specialization", something we get with just a handful of courses (ie 2 or 3) doesn't really mean we know enough to do something. Theory is rather different than application, something some of us figured out on co-op.

But he emphasized the learning skills (ie how to cram in very little time), problem solving (maybe I should go find some arties and see how they engage in problem solving...I still don't get the whole engineering vs non-engineering thinking thing) and ability to project/time manage (ie 4 lab courses), and operate under stress (ie no sleep).

Yeah okay. That's pretty good stuff.

How did you end up doing your current field of work?
I suppose I'm like most people in that I have very little idea of what I want to do. Yeah, there's Biomed Engg. But BME is a rather general degree. He shared with me how he couldn't get into the field he wanted too, and eventually ended up with a job that had little to do with electrical engineering. Switched jobs after 10 years. Hopped a bit. Eventually ended up at his current job, a field he had no initial interest in. Totally enjoys it (I guess jobs that are fun actually exist. Haha) now.

So coming out all directionless and confused is normal. Or...at least...rather common. Good thing to be reminded, after seeing many of my classmates having already decided what they want to be heading into.

Where does God fit into all this?
His theory is that God uses little things ("oh, this Communication course sucks. I aint taking this no more"), job market and whatnot to set us on the road towards His plans. Keep an open mind and keep praying. Cliche, but that's how it is. Our lines will converge into His.

I think, our unwillingness to accept uncertainity had led rise to many theories about God's hands in our decision making. I can think of three just offhand.

• No matter how hard you mess up, you can't mess up God's plans. God created all things, including me. Since we're only a small piece of His creation, He is "bigger" than all things, thus I cannot mess Him up. However, we've see many cases, even from the Bible (Jonah is a good example), where people tried to run, but God chased them down and convinced them to perform their task of calling anyway. But at the end of the day, it's in your own free will that decides what to do. God won't force the point.
  

• You can't mess up God's plans, because God would've seen it happen from His outside-of-time-ness. Is it possible to surprise God? I'll refrain from getting into this one, because it'll lead to a predestination-freewill debate. The Christian in me says who cares, God controls it all regardless. The apologist in me tells me that it's not a good enough answer. I've got nothing right now =P. Should research/think about further later. In any case, this school of thought would suggest that freewill doesn't really exist, and that we only have precieved degrees-of-freedom, and doesn't actually have any.
  

• Or...some combination of the two theories. Holy Spirit could present ideas that you precieve as your own and you carry it out, thus eventually leading you to God's plans, but you don't actually have total free thought without interference. But you could still choose to reject the ideas.
  

Umm. Just watching and praying isn't exactly that practical...
Perhaps not. For many, the desire to have direction and works one can carry out sometimes conflict with the concept of faith. But...can I not study and expect a good mark? Can I not attend interviews and expect a job? At what point am I thinking too much, and just need to give it up to Him?

Pray as though everything depended on God. Work as though everything depended on you.

- Saint Teresa of Avila

Keep at it. Watch and pray. Because when we're promised wisdom...

If any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to him.

- James 1.5

...the wisdom that James is descibing is directions in decision making. So keep asking questions.