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Do you believe you are here for a reason? If so, what is it? Would you like to be remembered for making a difference? How?
These are existential questions about the meaning of one’s life. Some people never find answers. Some never seriously seek answers. Answers to these questions speak to your life's mission, your purpose. When you create silence and think deeply about these questions, do you get messages from your inner self? "Callings are urgings from the deep self that tell us what it will take to make our lives literally “come true.” They point us toward awakenings, course-corrections and powerful authenticity." Gregg Levoy, Callings: Finding and Following an Authentic Life.
A calling may be to do something (choose or change a career trajectory, learn to play the guitar, start, or leave a relationship) or to be something (more creative, less critical, more loving). We may be called toward or away from something, to change, to renew our commitment to something, or to return to a place or pursuit in an entirely new way.
"Callings are urgings from the deep self that tell us what it will take to make our lives literally “come true.” They point us toward awakenings, course-corrections and powerful authenticity." Gregg Levoy
"I urge you to live a life worthy of the calling you have received." Ephesians 4:1
The Purpose Paradigm
Instead of choosing one occupation, many people find it easier to focus on the real-world issue they care most deeply about and might consider devoting their career to.
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Explore your career callings, or purpose, using the UN Global Goals
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Find employers with missions that align with your callings
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See which of the occupations they employ appeal to you most
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Find learning paths to your preferred occupations (apprenticeship and skilled trades training, employer-based training, industry certification, vocational-technical, military, college, university)
5. Act NOW:
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Reach out to local employers of interest to learn more (information interviews, site visits, summer internships, volunteering)
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Reach out to local people in occupations that appeal to you. Learn their stories and seek their advice on how to position yourself for success (hobbies, courses, volunteering, part-time jobs)
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Reach out to education and training institutions in your area to learn which of their programs will bring you to your goals most time- and cost-effectively
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If you discover organizations in Career Callings that interest you but don't exist in your area, consider creating one, or starting your own business.
How can Career Callings help?
Career Callings lets you select any UN Global GOAL and see the TARGETS world leaders have agreed on to reach the goal. For each GOAL you will see examples of global employers that focus on it. For each TARGET you'll see examples of local employers you could work for, occupations they employ, and education and training programs to qualify. Based on your unique interests, skills, and values, you'll discover which goals and targets call to you.
Between work, family, and community activities you will be engaged in many of the 17 Goals throughout your lifetime. If the career path you choose initially isn't what you hoped it would be, you can reset your sights on new targets anytime.
What's important is that you are happy and your work has meaning for you. After all, you will likely be working or volunteering for more than 50% of the hours you are awake for the rest of your life. You want to love your work, knowing you are following your career callings, living an authentic life, and doing your part to make the world better.
Phil Jarvis
Founder of Callings
Rather than standardized tests and grades, if education focuses on igniting and channeling students’ curiosity, hope, wonder, innocence, creativity, sense of justice, and unbounded potential, the world will soon be kinder, fairer, healthier, and more sustainable, in every sense.