So here's a question for those who have pursued an ordained vocation. If you went a different direction, what was it, and if you did make it to ordination did you have a plan b?
I was in a secular business role (in big pharma) when I began formal discernment. It was clear to me, I think, that no matter where I ended up with regard to the church, I would change my work; if not for ordained ministry, perhaps for one of the helping professions (not teaching; I was very clear I was not teacher material! But perhaps counselling or some other caring role).
Did I have a plan B? By the time I actually got close to ordination, not really. I remember coming up to my final interviews, the year before ordination, thinking, "If they say no, what will I do? What is there for a seminary dropout?" I wondered about pursing an academic path; some of my lecturers were pointing me towards a PhD and a future in that direction. Was never very convinced that would be the way to go!
Here's something, though. I'm 42 now, and in recent years, every single clergy person I speak to (except those already close to retirement) has at least given thought to their plan B. If I leave, what will I do? Some are making sure they have skills in teaching or counselling. Another is studying social work. One is a musician wondering if she could make a living that way. One who has a knack for languages has pondered becoming an interpeter. One came to ministry from the funeral industry and is confident he could return to that. One is easing himself out of parish ministry and into working for a social welfare organisation. All of us are aware that burn out is real, that ministry might not be sustainable in its current form for decades more of our lives, and (as one of my lecturers once put it to us), "Paul didn't sell his tent-making tools, and neither should you." Heck, one of the local Lutheran pastors near me still works as a GP (his previous work) one day a week to keep a foot in that world.
The point I'm making, I guess, is that there is considerable overlap with various other fields, that there are transferable skills, and that the vocation to serve God's people can find expression in all sorts of ways. Which may not help you work out which way to look, but may encourage you that there are options?