Blackwell Reference Online

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Vocation , which comes from the Latin word vocare, meaning “to call”, is best understood as one's calling , or motivation, to participate meaningfully in the world. Traditionally understood as a calling from God, vocation maintains this meaning (e.g., a vocation to priesthood or religious life), but is more commonly understood today as one's particular place in the world of work. The spiritual roots of the word vocation are found in the implication that one's vocation fits the person's unique nature – that it presents an opportunity to implement one's meaning or purpose in life. Richard Bolles, author of a widely popular career change manual, points out that vocation is synonymous with the word mission . Most people, at some point in their lives, wonder about their mission in life . This internal pull toward an opportunity to contribute something lasting, or toward a meaning greater than the self, seems to distinguish vocation from simply performing a job. For this reason, vocation inherently includes one's calling to work that is both paid and nonpaid. For instance, a woman who works a difficult low status job for no reason other than the income might describe her vocation as mother or grandmother, with her meaning and her contribution being the love and support of family. Individuals seeking a vocation can be heard saying things like the following: “I want more than a paycheck;” ... log in or subscribe to read full text