Find Your Calling with Our Career Planning Framework
In a world where job satisfaction often feels like a rare commodity, a startling statistic emerges: Only 37% of U.S. employees feel they have the opportunity to utilize their strengths every day. This revelation sheds light on the pervasive issue of disengagement in the workplace and underscores the importance of recognizing and leveraging one's unique strengths for long-term career success.
The modern workplace is evolving rapidly, with job roles increasingly specialized and dynamic. In such a landscape, individuals must identify their core strengths and harness them effectively to navigate the complexities of their professional journey. Here is a career planning framework to help you unlock your full potential and find a fulfilling career path that God is calling you to do:
1. Assess Your Skills, Interests, Values, Personality Traits, Passions, and Other Aspects of Your God-Given Design: Start by thoroughly assessing your skills, interests, values, personality traits, and other puzzle pieces of your design that God has given you to manage. Identify the activities that bring you joy and fulfillment and the activities where you excel. Reflect on your core values and what matters most in your career and life. Consider how your personality traits influence your work preferences and interactions with others. Take time to write down your self-assessments.
It is also important to note the needs in the world that you are passionate about helping to meet. God gives each of us enthusiasm to meet certain needs in the world. Here are a few needs in the world to trigger your thinking:
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Healthcare: Jobs in the healthcare sector meet the fundamental need for medical care and well-being. Doctors, nurses, pharmacists, and other healthcare professionals directly contribute to improving people's health and saving lives.
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Education: Teachers, professors, and educational administrators fulfill the need for knowledge and skill development. They provide instruction, mentorship, and guidance, empowering individuals to reach their full potential and contribute meaningfully to society.
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Food production and agriculture: Farmers, agricultural workers, and food processors meet the essential need for sustenance by growing crops, raising livestock, and processing food. They ensure that communities have access to nutritious and safe food sources.
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Infrastructure development: Civil engineers, construction workers, and urban planners contribute to meeting the need for reliable infrastructure such as roads, bridges, buildings, and utilities. Their work enhances connectivity, safety, and quality of life in communities.
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Environmental conservation: Environmental scientists, conservationists, and sustainability experts address the need to preserve natural resources and protect the environment. Their efforts help mitigate climate change, conserve biodiversity, and ensure the long-term health of ecosystems.
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Social services: Social workers, counselors, and community organizers work to meet the needs of vulnerable populations such as children, the elderly, and individuals experiencing poverty or homelessness. They provide support, advocacy, and resources to promote well-being and social justice.
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Technology and innovation: Engineers, software developers, and researchers contribute to technological advancements that meet various needs, from communication and transportation to healthcare and entertainment. Their innovations drive progress and improve efficiency in multiple sectors.
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Emergency services: First responders, including police officers, firefighters, and paramedics, fulfill the critical need for public safety and emergency assistance. They risk their lives to protect communities and provide aid during crises and disasters.
If you struggle with assessing your God-given design, consider completing assessments such as the Career Fit Test, Strong Interest Inventory, Myers-Briggs Type Indicator, and other fee-based assessments. Please note many of these assessments require debriefing through a certified career counselor/coach.
2. Create a Life Calling Map: A Life Calling Map is a document that organizes your strengths, interests, values, personality traits, and needs you are enthusiastic about helping to meet so that you can see consistent patterns.
The term "Life Calling Map" encompasses the idea that God has given each person a unique "calling" or purpose in life, and the map metaphor suggests a deliberate and intentional approach to discovering and navigating that calling.
A map is a visual representation or guide that helps individuals navigate from one point to another. In the context of a Life Calling Map, the term suggests a structured and intentional process for exploring and pursuing one's life calling. Like a map, it provides direction, clarity, and guidance for self-discovery and personal growth.
Bringing these concepts together, a Life Calling Map is a tool or framework that helps individuals chart a course toward discovering and living out their calling. It involves introspection, goal setting, planning, and action to align one's life with their deepest values, passions, and aspirations. By following the map, individuals can navigate the complexities of life with purpose and intention, ultimately leading to a more fulfilling and meaningful existence.
Check out our career counseling and career testing services if you need help assessing your design and creating a Life Calling Map.
3. Explore Jobs and Careers: Explore various jobs and careers that align with your Life Calling Map. Challenge yourself to widen your vision and consider opportunities beyond your current work, as you can only choose from jobs and careers of which you are knowledgeable. Conduct thorough research about different industries, roles, and career paths. Engage in reality testing by seeking informational interviews, job shadowing experiences, or internships to gain firsthand insight into potential career options.
To make this process easier, reliable assessments, including the Career Fit Test and the Strong Interest Inventory, guide users in exploring careers that fit their skills, interests, and personality traits.
4. Make Wise Decisions: Make informed and strategic decisions that allow you to be a steward of your God-given design. God has given you a unique combination of gifts to manage. Evaluate each potential opportunity against your Life Calling Map, considering how well it aligns with your skills, interests, values, personality traits, and the needs you feel called to meet.
For Christian men and women, prayer is an integral part of decision-making. Prayer allows us to partner with God in making wise decisions. Regarding this partnership, Saint Augustine says, "Pray as though everything depended on God. Work as though everything depended on you."
Still, most people find decision-making difficult. To make better decisions, seek guidance from God, mentors, and Christian career counselors.
5. Set Goals and Take Action: Based on your assessment results and career aspirations, set clear and actionable goals. Break down your goals into smaller, achievable steps and create a timeline for accomplishing them. Stay committed to your journey and take proactive steps to pursue opportunities that resonate with your strengths and passions. Be adaptable and willing to pivot as needed, adjusting your goals and actions based on feedback and changing circumstances.
Summary
By following this career planning framework, you can embark on a journey to find work you love that aligns with your skills, values, and personality traits. Embrace self-discovery, explore diverse career options, and make deliberate choices that empower you to live God's calling for your life. With dedication, perseverance, and a clear sense of purpose, you can unlock your full potential and create a fulfilling and meaningful career path.
If you want help completing these steps to find work you love, check out our career counseling services. Our services can be the difference between unengaging work and obtaining meaningful, purposeful, and fulfilling work.