In school, I wanted to fit in with my classmates—especially the guys. I decided that joining the school track team might be one way to build camaraderie and boost my sense of personal accomplishment.

So I signed up and practiced every day, working hard to improve my performance times as a distance runner. With high expectations I started running. Then reality came crashing down.

Despite my efforts during practice, I came in last in nearly every race that season. I didn't have the endurance and pacing needed to win long races, and I couldn't figure out what I was doing wrong.

Refusing to be discouraged, I ran with the track team the following year—as a sprinter! To my surprise, I won virtually every race, and was selected as the team's Most Valuable Player. It seemed I had found my niche in this sport.

Sometimes life follows this same pattern. We struggle to identify and determine how we can use our aptitudes for the greatest success. It takes experience to gain a sense of what we want to do with our lives, yet we must make some decisions about our futures now.

Personal values also play a role in this struggle. Do we value job security and steady income over the risks and rewards of entrepreneurship? Do we want to hold off on marriage and family while we build our career?

With all of these factors to consider, finding your niche in life can seem like a daunting task. Here are some tips that may help you simplify the process.

• Start researching available options now.
  Seek current, reliable information. This includes market predictions for job availability and salaries, typical working conditions and educational requirements. To begin, visit www.jobhuntersbible.com for a comprehensive look at today's job market.

• Clarify personal values.
  Our values can have a significant impact on our vocational choices. For example, the Bible teaches keeping the seventh-day Sabbath. If you are going to follow this instruction, don’t choose a field that requires being on call seven days per week. It is essential to clarify your values before making final decisions about your future. True values will be the most important determinants of your happiness.

• Seek learning opportunities.
  To get a firsthand perspective, talk to those who work in a particular field of interest. Some will even let students shadow them for a day or volunteer in their department. Applying for internships or low-level positions can provide real-world experience. Consider taking some time off before, during or after college to explore all the options.

• Ask for guidance
  Finding our place in this world is hard enough. Doing it alone is next to impossible. Ask your parents and other trusted relatives for their opinions. Talk to school guidance counselors and church leaders about what they recommend. Most importantly, get vertical advice—talk to God about your plans and dreams. Ask Him for wisdom to make the right decisions and learn from mistakes. As Psalm 37:4 advises, "Delight yourself also in the LORD, and He shall give you the desires of your heart."

Finding your niche in life is a difficult challenge, but it can be done. With the right knowledge and values in hand, you can take positive steps toward a happy, successful life. For more information on this topic, request or download the free booklet Making Life Work. VT