Vocation and Purpose
Become who you are — it's more than just your job.
Calling all students — has anybody ever prompted you to consider not just what you want to do with your life, but the meaning and impact of what you do with it?
Throughout your journey at Cal Lutheran, you are given opportunities to uncover your roots of vocation and purpose. This includes your future career, as well as your talents, relationships, and commitments to service.
Cal Lutheran's community values for vocation and purpose help you to connect the many layers of your life's calling, to move beyond the basic "what should I do with my life?" inquiry toward a deeper discernment of who you are.
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.
Associate Vice President for Mission and Identity
Questions on Vocation
In pursuit of purpose at Cal Lutheran
Cal Lutheran can be a life-changing chapter within your journey. During this time, your main job is to focus on becoming the truest version of yourself.
Cal Lutheran can be a life-changing chapter within your journey. During this time,
your main job is to focus on becoming the truest version of yourself.
Thinking beyond an occupation or career field, what characteristics, qualities, or abilities do you hope to develop during your time at Cal Lutheran? This will help you grow into the person you aspire to become.
Though you are living in a time when it is common to compare and contrast yourself with others, what matters most is how you position yourself to be of service to others. This may mean identifying an unserved need in the community around you, or it may mean applying your special gifts to empower people around you — but it is always done in the context of the collective. Serving your community means you are following your sense of purpose.
The things that you care most about are the pillars of your sense of vocation. What do you tend to prioritize on a regular basis? When do your values align? Where do you feel most whole in your commitment to contribute?
The things that you care most about are the pillars of your sense of vocation. What
do you tend to prioritize on a regular basis? When do your values align? Where do
you feel most whole in your commitment to contribute?
These are the indicators of the important elements in your life, and they can shed light on your path as you continue onward toward your sense of purpose. Why you care is what keeps you going.
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.
Dive Deeper
Faculty/Advisor Toolkit
Tips and resources for advisors to support students with vocation.