As a high school senior, like most others I was trying to figure out where to go to college and what to do with my life and career. But as my mom and I sat in the car together one afternoon, we had a pivotal conversation. I was telling her about my plans (or lack thereof), and lamenting my distaste for schoolwork and my general sense of indecisiveness concerning my future. Her advice to me was simple, yet profound, especially in a culture that places educational pursuits above almost all else. “You know, Julie, you don’t have to go to college right away,” my mom said. “You can always try a missions program like YES.”