Career change brings woman to work with Glenville youth

But no matter how much money she earned or how successful she was at closing deals, she wasn't happy. The only work she truly enjoyed was teaching Confirmation preparation classes at Immaculate Conception Church in Glenville, a ministry in which she has been involved for the past six years.

Deciding that the spiritual rewards of working with Catholic youth were more important to her, she recently left her position with an Albany title company to become pastoral associate of youth ministries at the parish.

Making a change

She is no stranger to Immaculate Conception, the parish where she and her family have worshipped since she was three and where she first received the sacraments of Reconciliation, Holy Eucharist and Confirmation. She attended St. Joseph's School in Scotia and Notre Dame-Bishop Gibbons School in Schenectady before going to the State University of New York at Morrisville and the University at Albany.

When she began working, Ms. Smith enjoyed earning a good salary and learning the ropes of an occupation that she considered meaningful. She continued attending Mass at Immaculate Conception and eventually volunteered to teach Confirmation preparation classes at the parish after reading about the need for catechists in the bulletin.

People and deals

Meeting with people who were elderly or who couldn't afford the mortgages they were being persuaded to accept became too much for Ms. Smith to bear.

"I just found it so hard to get out of bed in the morning. I said, 'I need a change. Enough is enough.'"

That's when she approached Mary Harrison, director of youth ministry for the diocesan Office of Religious Education, about obtaining her certification for youth ministry. She was impressed by how excited Mrs. Harrison seemed when discussing her work.

"When she talks about youth ministry, her face just lights up," Ms. Smith said.

Open position

Ms. Smith didn't underestimate the seriousness of abandoning her career in the mortgage business, especially from a financial standpoint; she'd be taking a $16,000 pay cut by becoming a youth minister.

She didn't mind, however, and figured that she'd just have to learn how to spend on a smaller budget. Even her landlord helped by reducing her rent on the Troy apartment where she lived.

Making a leap

"I made the decision on my own," she said, "but once my decision was made, I needed them for support."

One benefit of working in youth ministry is that it allows for personal interpretation and experience much more than in her former career.

"It's going on your feelings, your vision and what you believe is youth ministry. You make it your own," she said.

Enjoyable work

She encourages others to get involved with Catholic youth and consider working in youth ministry, even if they think they've found a career that interests them. They just might learn, as she did, that money isn't everything.

"It's a big step to make a career change like this. I'm really glad that I'm here because it made my change that much easier," she said.

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