Have you ever met one of the people who has been sure of his or her future career for years, maybe even since five years old?
This person comes into college with a major or two already picked out, jumps through all of the necessary hoops within four years, and then applies for jobs or graduate schools as soon as possible. I've always been jealous of these people who seem to have their whole lives figured out.
Some of these people probably experience a career calling, according to UF psychology assistant professor Ryan Duffy's research.
Through his research that combines both positive and vocational psychology, Duffy has found that a high percentage of college students experience a calling.
However, a calling is defined in several different ways:
1. External Calling: Some people experience a calling that comes from an external source, such as from one's religion, society or country.
2. Destiny Idea: Others believe that there is one perfect career out there for them, and either they have found that career or are still searching for it.
3. Perfect Fit: Others define a calling as a career that will fit their values, skills and interests. These people may have searched within themselves and found a job that suits them perfectly.
Interestingly, many college students define a calling with the destiny idea, while Duffy defines a calling with the external calling explanation. Although the traditional definition does include an external motivation, the idea of a calling has become very secular and there is now a low correlation between a calling and spirituality.
Another aspect of a calling is that it must have a pro-social component to it. If you are in a career in which you are able to help others, you will receive a high amount of external rewards because you know that you are making a difference in the world.
There is also a lot of internal reinforcement when you are helping others because you feel good about yourself and about your career.
If you are in a career in which you do not really help people but are making $200,000 a year and rise to the top of your company, then you experience high amounts of internal rewards.
Unfortunately, internal and external rewards do not always come as a package. Thus, if a student's calling lies within a satisfying, but low paying career, that student may decide to follow a different, less rewarding path that would make him or her more money.
Duffy's current research shows that living out one's calling is correlated with higher wellbeing.
Also, keep in mind that the decisions you make during your college years will not necessarily determine your life's course. A calling can change over time, and so can careers. It may not be the best idea to lock ourselves into a career at the college-age level, anyway, Duffy said.
I'm choosing to take a year off and decide whether or not I want to commit myself to four grueling years of medical school. Hopefully, a career in that field would lead to both internal and external rewards — if I make it out alive.
