“Follow what you love to do... do not worry about pursuing a job that will make you the most money or gain you the most 'success', because if you’re not doing what you love, you won’t be happy.” According to ’14 Chinese Studies and Politics alum Abigail Scanga, remembering this is paramount to choosing the right college and career path. Scanga is currently following what she loves as she pursues a Master’s degree in Applied Human Rights at the University of York.
Taking the next step in her academic career proved easy for Scanga, as her Messiah education prepared her well for graduate school. In her Political Research Methods course, Scanga learned practical application of qualitative and quantitative methods of research, and how to evaluate data and programs. The skills she honed in this course have proven invaluable, as they connect directly with her work toward her Master's degree.
Although academics are crucial to college, Scanga warned against choosing a college based solely on the field of study, thus emphasizing the importance of the college’s environment. She says, “A college can have a wonderful academic program, but if you don't have the social conventions to challenge you, it is often difficult to grow spiritually.” For this reason, Scanga appreciated Messiah’s strong Christian community, and the opportunities she had to debate and discuss any topic with professors and classmates, many of whom she remains in contact with. The professors challenged her to think beyond her biases, in turn enabling her to become a well-rounded person. Â
One significant challenge she encountered came throughout a Religions of China and Japan course, which caused her to test her faith. She says that dissecting what she believed, and why she was a Christian made her faith stronger, and brought her closer to God, since she made a conscious decision to follow Him.