Vocation and Purpose

Becoming who you are. Cultivating what you do.

"What are you going to do with your degree?" could be the most common question that college asks you to answer, but there is much more to say about your story at Cal Lutheran.

Has anybody ever prompted you to consider not just WHAT you want to do with your life, but the meaning of what you do with it? Throughout your Cal Lutheran journey, you are presented with opportunities to dig beneath the surface of everyday life to uncover the roots of your vocation and purpose. This includes your future career, as well as your unique talents, your relationships with others, and your commitments to service.

Cal Lutheran's community values for vocation and purpose help you to connect with the many layers of your life's calling, to move beyond the basic "WHAT do I do?" inquiry toward a deeper discernment of WHO, HOW, and WHY.

Called to Many Things
Colleen Windham-Hughes

Vocation should really be plural — vocations — because over your life, you are called to many things. Your education and experiences at Cal Lutheran set you up to explore many aspects of what you are good at and feel called to, all within a community setting that supports and challenges you to become more fully who you are.

Colleen Windham-Hughes, Ph.D., M.Div.
Professor of Religion, Public Life, and Practical Theology

Questions on Vocation

In pursuit of purpose at Cal Lutheran

How to Get Started

Throughout your life, the process of becoming may originate from inside yourself as a sense of inspiration, curiosity, or drive. Or, it may start with something outside yourself — discerning what the world needs or responding to a higher calling.

No matter how your process is set in motion, anywhere is the best place to start. You can think about teachings, traditions, or values that are of significance to you. You can ponder your dreams, especially ones that have stayed with you over time. Most importantly, you can immerse yourself on campus by using our resources or attending an event to discover your vocation and purpose.

 

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Zig Zag Paths

Real-world journeys are rarely linear, but meander through many roads.

View examples

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Words of Wisdom

Purpose-full advice from voices in the Cal Lutheran community.

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Campus Resources

Want to talk more about vocation and purpose? Here's where to go.

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Inspirational Sources

Suggested publications to delve deeper through further resources.

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Faculty/Advisor Toolkit

Tips and resources for advisors to support students with vocation

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