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In recent years, our society as a whole has directed increasing attention to questions of the significance of work and career choice, often centering their focus on the meaning of vocation. Note these words from Frederick Buechner’s book, Wishful Thinking: A Seeker’s ABC.

“Vocation” comes from the Latin vocare (to call) and means the work a [person] is called to by God.

“There are all different kinds of voices calling you to all different kinds of work, and the problem is to find out which is the voice of God rather than of society, say, or the superego, or self interest.

“The kind of work God usually calls you to is the kind of work (a) that you need to do and (b) that the world needs to have done. If you find your work rewarding, you have presumably met requirement (a), but if your work does not benefit others, the chances are you have missed requirement (b). On the other hand, if your work does benefit others, you have probably met requirement (b), but if most of the time you are unhappy with it, the chances are you have not only bypassed (a) but probably aren’t helping your customers much either.

“… The place God calls you to is the place where your deep gladness and the world’s deep hunger meet [emphasis added].”
Frederick Buechner, Wishful Thinking: A Seeker’s ABC

At APU, finding that place does not demand a particular major or field of study; rather, it requires thinking deeply about how to live a life of consequence to make a difference in the world through our chosen career. Another way to say it is, “I am called and gifted by God to be a difference-maker in my world to His glory.”

Here are some other examples of writings on vocation and calling.

Center for Adult and Professional Studies | School of Behavioral and Applied Sciences | School of Business | School of Education
College of Liberal Arts and Sciences | School of Music | School of Nursing | School of Theology