“Your Way is Better”

I went to school for Health Sciences, and right after graduating with my bachelor's, I went straight back to school. About a year and a half later, I earned my Master’s in Business Administration. I had a plan: I wanted to work in health administration and climb as high as I possibly could—breaking the ceiling for black women in that industry.

After completing my bachelor's, I began working entry-level jobs in health administration. At that point, I was more focused on money than purpose, so as higher-paying opportunities came up, I followed the trail. One day, my sister told me about an opportunity in her industry (engineering) that was, at the time, open to anyone with a bachelor’s degree. I interviewed, and they loved me. A week later, I was offered a position as a Distribution Designer (Lower-level engineer). It was completely outside my intended career path, but unlike Health Administration, even the lower-level roles in this field paid well. So, as I said, I followed the money.

I was incredibly grateful to God for the opportunity—my financial expectations had been blown out of the water. Still, I had a plan: stay a year, finish my master’s, then transition back into healthcare. But I quickly found out that it wouldn’t be so easy to return to the industry I originally wanted to be in. Time passed, and engineering experience became the most prominent part of my résumé—so much so that it began to deter healthcare employers, who wanted employees with not only the right educational background but also relevant experience.

I found myself in an awkward in-between space. I didn’t necessarily want to work as an engineer, nor did I feel fully qualified as one due to my educational background. But I also wasn’t considered qualified enough in health administration because I lacked direct experience.

Currently, I’m still working in engineering—no longer as a Distribution Designer, but as a Power Engineering Technologist II. My roots in this industry grew deeper and deeper, until I had to face the truth: I’m a Power Distribution Engineer.

Four years and counting in an industry I never intended to enter—let alone remain in this long. Around the 2.5-year mark, I had to admit: I’d actually started to enjoy the work. I had gotten good at it. On top of that, the nature of the job allowed me time and mental freedom to write whenever I wanted, which fed the writing portion of my ministry.

So now, I’m in a place where I want to leave my current job, but not the field itself.

I began to realize the path I was so committed to—Health Administration—was one I felt obligated to take, not one I genuinely wanted. I’m a creative at heart. And in my current role and through my side work (writing), I get to express that creativity daily.

Not understanding why God kept me in an industry I continually cried to leave, took a toll on me. Until I stopped reaching for the unknown and began appreciating what’s known—what’s now. I felt like I didn’t belong, like I was disconnected from where I was “meant” to be. But once I accepted the path I was on, peace followed. I began to genuinely appreciate the work I do—and the ministry work I’m able to do on the side because of the flexibility this career provides.

“Lord, direct my steps toward what’s best for me.”

We pray prayers similar to this—but often reject His best because it doesn’t look like our best. For years, that was me—causing myself unnecessary unhappiness. But God made it very clear: this industry, although not one I pursued with long-term intentions, was His best for me. Not just because He knew I’d grow to love the creative aspects of my this career, but because it positioned me to thrive in the ministry I didn’t even know I’d be operating in when I first stepped into engineering.

When ministry started to become a bigger part of my life, I began pleading with God to release me from my job so I could pursue it full-time. But that wasn’t His desire for me—at least not yet. He helped me see that engineering was a tool for His purposes. It gave me not only time, but financial provision to do the work He called me to.

While working in this field, I’ve written about three books and started an online blog. And let’s not overlook the spiritual growth I’ve experienced. Because of the flexibility I’m afforded, nearly every workday has become an opportunity to grow in the Word and in my spiritual gifts—whether by studying scripture, watching teachings, or taking notes.

All of this to say: God’s plan doesn’t always look like our plan. But His ways are strategic—and they yield far greater benefits than we could imagine.

Through my story, we see how God provided for my creative needs, my spiritual needs, and my financial needs—all through a path I never would’ve chosen on my own.

Scripture to reflect on:

Proverbs 16:9

In their hearts humans plan their course, but the Lord establishes their steps.