Colorado Technical University - Jehovah’s Witnesses: How do your young people break into the job market in this tough economy?

Jehovah’s Witnesses: How do your young people break into the job market in this tough economy?

According to the Pew Report, 65 percent of Jehovah’s Witnesses in the United States have family incomes that would put them well below middle-class standards. Less than six percent of them have graduated from a college or university – and most of those completed their degree prior to becoming a witness. That’s because education beyond high school is viewed as Satanic “temptations,” listed alongside smoking cigarettes, using illegal drugs, and watching immoral movies: http://scienceblogs.com/pharyngula/upload/2009/10/its_a_gateway_drug_to_a_lifeti/temptation.jpeg Anyway, most young JWs do have work experience distributing magazines for the Watchtower Corporation and trying to convince strangers to have a NWT Bible study with them. The question is whether this kind of experience would be useful in finding a good job in the real world. After all, some kinds of work-experience (like weapons maintenance in the military) may not have an obvious civilian equivalent. So let’s say that the typical Jehovah’s Witness young man or young lady is a high school graduate only and has spent the majority of his/her free-time engaged in direct-marketing of Watchtower Magazines. Now this person is getting older and looking for a stable job that would pay enough to survive on and hopefully have health insurance benefits. I’m thinking one line of work would be in telemarketing or perhaps selling merchandise like Kirby vacuum cleaners door-to-door. But how does this play out in real life? When you get to be in your mid-twenties and realize that (50 hours a month of) “Kingdom ministry” isn’t going to put food on the table for the kids, what do you do about that? Are a lot of Jehovah’s Witnesses choosing to go to trade schools in their mid-twenties? I’m guessing that would be the most logical path (since telemarketing and door-to-door sales are not really solid careers). What’s your take on this? How do young JWs end up making a living in this economy (where most of the low-skilled jobs have been shipped overseas to China). Hi Pedro: That depends a lot of what the student majors in. If the student majors in a course of study that results in some sort of a state certificate or professional endorsement, then the chances of getting a job are very good (provided you are willing to relocate if necessary). Examples of such professions would include elementary education, physical therapy, mechanical engineering, paralegal studies, landscape architecture, and social work. If, on the other hand, you major in anthropology, the chances of getting a job in that field are much lower. @fanspoman: When I said that pursuing higher education at a university is “listed alongside” using illegal drugs and watching immoral movies, I was quoting verbatim from the Sept. 1 edition of the Watchtower Magazine. I provided you a link to a scan of that page. So if you doubt me, you can easily click on the link and figure out that I am telling the truth. Also, in your last paragraph, are you implying that part of “staying faithful and obedient” to Jehovah is not attending a university? Did Jehovah reveal this truth to you in a vision? How did you find this out? @Pedro: I forgot to mention careers in the medical field such as nursing and respiratory therapy. Those are some other examples of how getting a four-year degree results in a state license. When My father was in high school (1957), there were lots of good paying jobs for high school graduates. But many of those jobs have been replaced by machines and automated assembly lines. Many of them have left the country. @fanspoman: I just noticed that on your profile, you are claiming to be me. I want to clarify for everyone that I do not maintain multiple profiles in order to talk to myself. Certain baseball fans do this, but I do not. @Shadow night: I never claimed that a university education “guarantees” increased income. Second, the reality is that hardly any JWs (in good standing) attend university because they are taught that doing this is wrong. Fourth, Biblical principles of honesty and integrity only get you so far. An honest mechanical engineer is a lot more employable than an honest greeter at Wal-Mart. Let’s put it this way, if you plan on remaining single (no children), then marketing magazines for the Watchtower might make sense. If you plan on having a family, then higher education is an investment in the future that will pay for itself many times over (provided you choose a good major in college).

Public Comments

BECOME A NURSE OR DOCTOR.. STORE MANAGEMENT BUSINESS ADMIN THESE ALWAYS NEED PPL Methodist.
It's called a religious bubble with a lot of money to spread to those in that bubble.
I have to agree on one thing here , "Education beyond high -rofl- school is absolutely -lmao- full of satanic temptations" also known as "life" .
Vot saw this question header at the bottom of the page of another Q page and just knew it was Rustic B asking about our personal finances again. So caring :) Ever seen one of Jehovah's Witnesses begging in the street? Nope. Worldwide, depending on their circumstances and country conditions there are very wealthy JWs and there are poor JWs, just as it is in every religion or lack of it all around the world. But none of us are out begging on the streets. Vot'll give you first prize for being good at weaving little fabrications into your main text, and sounding very innocent while you're at it.
I don't have a college degree and make well into 6 figures annually. You would be surprised what you can do without a diploma when you are willing to put in the effort.
We live simply and therefore are able to live on a lot less money than most people. We are content with sustenance and covering. Jesus promised us in Matthew Chapter 6 that if we put the kingdom first our needs will be taken care of. We may work jobs that are not appealing to most people or we may go the self-employed route and work minimal hours at the better paying rate than if we were working for someone else. As for door-to-door sales and telemarketing not being really solid careers I make decent money selling life insurance door to door and over the phone. Many people who are in the life insurance business make great money doing so, but I just do a little more than I have too in order to survive.
Many of the young JWs in my congregation are going to college. JWs go to college if they want to. Get over it.
I SPENT A CHILDHOOD AS A JW....... MY FATHER SAID THAT I DONT HAVE A RIGHT TO GO TO COLLEGE BECAUSE I WAS A GIRL......AND IT WAS AGAINST THE JWS. THIS KEEPS WOMEN IN A CYCLE OF POVERTY......... SEEING THE ABUSIVE MARRIAGE OF MY PARENTS....... I LEFT....... I WENT TO TRADE SCHOOL........I GOT MARRIED........GOT INTO REAL ESTATE.........BOUGHT A HOUSE AND RETIRED AT 46......... ALL WITHOUT MY PARENTS AND THE JEHOVAH'S WITNESSES....... I MADE EXCELLENT CHOICES......... GOD KNOWS WHAT MY LIFE WOULD BE LIKE IF I LISTENED TO THE JEHOVAH'S WITNESSES...............
By filling out an application, submitting a resume just like anyone else.
Do you really think that College is a cure all, and that College graduates are guaranteed to get a job in the field of their choice? Besides your question is moot, because JW's go to College if they so desire. If we want to go to college we go door to door selling stuff, to pay for it. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hcC3cEuXIVI I made the last part up, so please don't quote me, using my joke as fodder for your next question : ) Thanks! **Edit** Here's an article that you may enjoy: http://finance.yahoo.com/career-work/article/108014/10-jobs-with-high-pay-and-minimal-schooling-required?mod=career-salary_negotiation **2nd Edit** Sorry, but nothing in Satans world is a given, I will grant you that it is becoming increasingly more difficult to attain certain Jobs without a degree. The sad part is that there are alot of qualified applicants w/ no degree, just experiance that get overlooked because Joe Blow has a degree in 'Under Water Basket Weaving' which has zero implications on the desired Job. As I've told you in the past those "Pew Stats" that you bust out, are BOGUS, in my oppinion,they fail to reflect JW's accurately. I'm pretty young, and most of my friends that I've grown up w/ have some form of secondary education, and I would say that they're split down the middle as to whether or not they're satisfied with the rewards of getting a degree. It seems that you hear only what you want to believe, I don't even know why I bother to answer your questions... 1 CORINTHIANS 7:31 - “Those who have to deal with the world should not become engrossed in it. I say this because the world as we know it is passing away.”— (The Jerusalem Bible) 1 JOHN 2:16-17 “. . .everything in the world—the desire of the flesh and the desire of the eyes and the showy display of one’s means of life—does not originate with the Father, but originates with the world. 17 Furthermore, the world is passing away and so is its desire, but he that does the will of God remains forever.” (New World Translation)
I haven't seen a JW begging in the street. But i've seen alot of different denomination beg. I am sure the percentage for other religion is higher (granting ur figures are true). Many in our congregation have jobs.Decent jobs. And they do not have troubles financially. Not all of them are college graduate. It's so sad to see that the mentality of this world is that college is a guarantee to have secured life. Tsk tsk. I'm so happy that i did not adopt that mentality. Although i myself is a college graduate, i still admire some of our brothers and sisters who were not able to go to college but were able to raised their kids to be good persons. Job unemployment here in the Philippines is high. Mostly composed by nonJWs and who claim to be Christians. And many are college graduates. In our congregation we do not have anyone begging for food. Some are rich, some are not. But everyone strive to have a simple life. Noone experiences stark poverty. :-) You might be wondering, what is the source of income who were not college grads? Many of them are skilled. So some have their business. They put up a barber shop, tailoring shop and small store. Other are taxi drivers or tricycle drivers. SOme work as messengers.So as you can see, these jobs do not require college diplomas. They earn enough money to survive daily and even save some of it. College is not the key to survive daily. YOu are just over-exaggerating.
First of all, anything from the "Pew Report" is highly questionable in regards to its truthfulness and accuracy, so the question is already starting off on dubious ground..... Secondly, you've made a bald-faced lie when you make the following claim: "....education beyond high school is viewed as Satanic “temptations,” listed alongside smoking cigarettes, using illegal drugs, and watching immoral movies." - That simply is NOT true, and you really discredit and do yourself a disservice by trying to push that lying thought as something of fact, when it's far from it. Thirdly, just as Jesus and his disciples did.......Jehovah's Witnesses today (young and old) put their trust in Jehovah to help them to care for their basic needs. Jesus himself told us in Matthew 6:25-24 that we should not be anxious over what we will eat, drink, or what we will wear. And why? Because as verse 32 says: "For your heaevnly Father knows you need all these things." And it goes on in verse 33 saying "Keep on, then, seeking first the kingdom and his righteousness, and all these other things will be added to you." We have every reason to believe that as long as we continue to carry out our Christ-commissioned assignment, Jehovah will see to it in some way that our needs are able to be met. Apparently though, individuals like you who don't put their trust and faith in God can't see that. They don't see God as real, as someone who will provide for his people if they stay faithful and obedient to Him. Today's young ones in Jehovah's organization may work part-time jobs during their younger years following high school so they can devote time to the field ministry. Some may choose to attend local community colleges or trade schools to learn a trade that can hopefully land them a job that pays enough for them to meet their needs, and possible help support a family in the future. There is very little point in being overly worried and anxious about things when one is putting Jehovah's interests first in their life. - Also, you're wrong again with your opinion that "most of the low-skilled jobs have been shipped overseas to China". That's merely another in a long line of your unsupported opinions with no basis in fact. ======================= Way to - in a very not-so-subtle- fashion distort what was said about college from that article. But it just shows how flimsy your whole case is. And in looking at the link, I know you're not being completely truthful. The implication is clear. Attending a college or university of so-called "higher education" is something that is not necessary for people today, and for those who are worshiping Jehovah, it would only serve as a waste of their time and money and serve as a clear distraction to their spiritual activity. Some CAN do both, but the vast majority who do suffer spiritually in one form or another. ================ Shadow, please allow me to correct some very wrong statements by Rustic. Jehovah's Witnesses are NOT taught that attending a university is wrong. We are discouraged from putting a lot of time and energy into supposed "higher education" when our time as Christians should be primarily spent in Kingdom interests. But we are not told attending college is wrong. That is a lie on his part. Secondly, Rustic seems to be all about getting a high-paying job and succeeding (according to the world's definition of success) with wealth and prosperity. Those things may bring a measure of comfort right now, but when Satan's system is done in, they will do nothing for a person's future salvation. Christians do not put the pursuit of high-paying jobs and wealth ahead of their obligations to God. Thirdly, attending a college or university and getting a particular degree is FAR from a guarantee of being a good investment for the future, and FAR from being certain to "pay for itself many times over". There are MANY college graduates who are unemployed right now, MANY who are working certain jobs because there are none open in the field they went to college for, and MANY who will attest that attending college was really not a wise decision in their life.
*chuckle* This will be the last of your questions I will answer. Sadly, you seem more focused on portraying a negative, critical view of Jehovah's Witnesses than actually acquiring knowledge. Oh well. The basic thrust of your question is that Jehovah's Witnesses are somehow being misled by our 'leaders' and therefore suffer because of lack of education and income. Three points. One. Education does not guarantee increased income (that is education beyond secondary school). There have been countless studies to confirm my point. Additional education can significantly raise your income, but there are hundreds of careers that can easily provide a middle class income without additional education. Two. No one is forbidden to pursue additional education. The warnings given generally focus on leaving home as a young person, living on campus, and focusing your energy and time on a 6 - 8 year degree. Why? Simple. As Christians we are supposed to keep on the watch, working to find as many as possible so as to help them learn about Jehovah God, his purposes for mankind, his Kingdom arrangement, and how they can achieve salvation. We are also encouraged to keep our eye simple, to not be "using the world to the full" and to remain focused on the salvation that is near at hand. Universities generally foster a critical viewpoint of God's Word, a greater emphasis on trusting one's own views over the Bible or any other moral guideline, and an increased interest and participation in man's political system. They contain many who would be considered "bad association" and place you in close contact with these individuals. Even some evangelical groups recognize the dangers of mainstream universities and have set up "conservative" centers for education. Those thoughts are based on God's Word, not some dictate of man. So as Christians we are encouraged to contemplate how our decisions will affect our ability to follow Jehovah and Jesus' commands. Would it really be the best use of our time to spend the short time left in this system trying to maximize our income? Third. Jehovah's Witnesses ARE taught Bible principles that increase both their employability and their potential income. We are taught to be honest. As a college graduate, I laughed heartily at the "ethics" courses taught as a part of my degree. Jehovah's Witnesses do not need to be told how to be honest by some professor, we have learned the value of honesty from Jehovah God himself. We are taught to be hard working, to not cheat our employer out of time or money. Numerous Jehovah's Witnesses have retained or obtained employment because of their dependability, and earnest effort. And we are taught to be humble. Taking on "menial" jobs such as commercial cleaning or construction may be looked down on by others, but we are interested in what we NEED, not what we want. Many Jehovah's Witnesses are successful business owners because they are determined to do what is necessary to support their ministry. So to directly answer your question: Young Jehovah's Witnesses use their Bible based training to prepare themselves for whatever job provides for their needs. If they can meet their needs without additional education, fine. If they need to get additional education to meet their needs (such as if they have a family), fine. As long as they pursue employment that will meet their NEEDS and not take away from their ability to obey Jehovah and Jesus' commands, then they are confident that they will never "want for bread" and will have Jehovah's backing. For further factual information on Jehovah's Witnesses please visit: http://www.watchtower.org