Here at Impact 360 one of the greatest joys I have is getting to teach some of our graduate classes on leadership. I love being able to engage with students at this stage of life and walking through the decisions they are making as they prepare to begin their career. One of the most frequent questions we discuss is, “How do I begin to discern what God wants me to do with my life?” We often talk about “calling” as if it comes as a single personal revelation that immediately enlightens us on our entire career pathway. But Scripture and Christian experience tell a different story. Calling is less about finding the perfect role and more about developing our character toward the person God can and will use.
At Impact 360 Institute, we believe God’s purpose for every believer is clear. In fact, it is incorporated into our mission as we seek to “cultivate followers of Jesus who revere God and give Him glory.” Your career is one of the primary places where that purpose will be lived out. We believe vocation cannot be separated from discipleship; vocation becomes the channel that our discipleship is expressed through and deployed as our responsibility within the Great Commission. Understanding this, instead of asking, “What job should I choose?” our questions become:
Am I growing to know Jesus more deeply?
Uncertainty brings stress but also strengthens our faith. College is a time to learn, serve, and grow, even when the future seems unclear. By focusing on knowing Jesus and developing your discipleship, you will be prepared for opportunities ahead. The skills, challenges, and responsibilities you gain shape your character, which always comes before your calling.
Am I being transformed in my character?
The answer to this question also answers if the prior one is true. As we work to know Jesus more deeply the inevitable result is our character begins to be shaped toward what Jesus teaches. As our character is being shaped, we grow to care about the things Jesus cares about. These insights will lead us to consider what “problems” we want to address with our careers. These are not limited to ministry or non-profit work. The problems we might be drawn to can be in fields such as medicine, education, law, accounting, or any of the trades. When our character is formed to want to help others through our vocation then the next steps often become much clearer.
Am I preparing to live with Spirit‑empowered influence wherever God places me?
Community also plays a key role in discerning God’s plan for our vocation. Scripture consistently shows how God uses others to see our gifts, encourage us in them, reveal blind spots, and offer wisdom to us. As we prepare to step, and once we step into, our careers we will need the support and accountability Christian community provides. In this we may seek wise counsel from mentors who know us well and are committed to seeing God’s truth play out in our lives. All these factors play key roles in helping us discern our next steps in our careers.
The great news is, despite the pressure you feel, you do not need your entire vocational life mapped out to walk in obedience today. As we walk in faithfulness in our first steps, the next few ones also start to become clearer. We can trust that God is committed to guiding your steps. That is how our vocational callings are clarified; one faithful decision at a time.