Watch

Why This Engineer Chose a Year of Service After Graduation

Creator:
Published:
March 6, 2024
May 18, 2018
When considering vocation vs career, this engineering graduate decided pursuing her vocation over a high-paying job would be more fulfilling in the end.

Emily Clements is graduating with a degree in chemical engineering, a field that offers one of the highest-paying jobs new graduates can get. But instead of entering the workforce with her classmates, Emily is choosing to do something radically different.

Watch as she explains why she followed her vocation in a different direction and how she discovered the joy that comes with finding a community. For more on how Emily is using her degree to help the drop-in homeless center, check out the #GrottoStories Our Lady of the Road feature video.

Video Transcript

Emily Clements: So I will be graduating with a degree in chemical engineering. Chemical engineering is one of the highest paying jobs that new graduates can get. There's like the pressure to be successful. But I have known for a long time that I wanted to do something very different from that kind of thing, 'cause after I stayed at the Catholic Worker House for a year, I had found something there that I knew was very precious and very valuable.

So, I've decided that I'm going to stay at the Women's House for at least a year after graduation.

Following your vocation is often never the way that you can get the most money. Following your vocation will bring you peace, and joy, and it'll put you in a community that you belong, and you get to build meaningful relationships. So, that's something that I'm really looking forward to next year, and throughout the rest of my life, and whatever I happen to be called to next.

Creators:
Grotto
Published:
March 6, 2024
May 18, 2018
On a related note...
Catholics Uncover Slaveholding History to Seek Healing

Catholics Uncover Slaveholding History to Seek Healing

Molly Cruitt

After Collapsing on the Ice, This Hockey Player Found a New Passion

After Collapsing on the Ice, This Hockey Player Found a New Passion

Grotto Shares

6 Tips for Getting Your Passion Project Off the Ground

6 Tips for Getting Your Passion Project Off the Ground

Lillian Fallon

Why Americans Need More Vacation Time

Why Americans Need More Vacation Time

Sophie Caldecott

Living in a Van to Find Home (and Himself)

Living in a Van to Find Home (and Himself)

Grotto

How to Make Better Decisions in Your 20s and 30s

How to Make Better Decisions in Your 20s and 30s

Jessie McCartney

The Impact of the 'Welcome Your Neighbor' Signs

The Impact of the 'Welcome Your Neighbor' Signs

Grotto

How an Engineer Finds God in Nature

How an Engineer Finds God in Nature

Grotto

Lessons Learned at the Old Man Gym

Lessons Learned at the Old Man Gym

Javi Zubizarreta

How Getting Out of My Comfort Zone Changed My Faith

How Getting Out of My Comfort Zone Changed My Faith

Josh Flynt

5 Things to Know Before You Start Freelancing

5 Things to Know Before You Start Freelancing

Lillian Fallon

What to Do if You're Facing an Unplanned Pregnancy

What to Do if You're Facing an Unplanned Pregnancy

Sarah Portner, LMSW

This licensed social worker shares the lessons she has learned from what gets women through unexpected pregnancies.

The Impact of Empowering Ugandan Businesswomen

The Impact of Empowering Ugandan Businesswomen

Grotto Shares

Therapeutic Horseback Riding Brings Healing

Therapeutic Horseback Riding Brings Healing

Grotto

The Word of the Year isn’t a Word — It’s an Emoji

The Word of the Year isn’t a Word — It’s an Emoji

Mike Jordan Laskey

Making Space for the Women Who Make Space

Making Space for the Women Who Make Space

Kelly Sankowski

Catholic Worker House Builds Community and Changes Lives

Catholic Worker House Builds Community and Changes Lives

Grotto

Dare to Dream: Working on the Moon Landing

Dare to Dream: Working on the Moon Landing

Tamara Stacey

3 Times Commitment Makes the Biggest Difference

3 Times Commitment Makes the Biggest Difference

Isaac Huss

This Coach Uses Ultimate Frisbee to Teach Life Lessons

This Coach Uses Ultimate Frisbee to Teach Life Lessons

Grotto

newsletter

We’d love to be pals.

Sign up for our newsletter, and we’ll meet you in your inbox each week.