Ask many young adults why they are going to college, and they’ll likely say something along the lines of “to get a job.” Ask them what kind of job — and why that’s the one they want — might give them pause.
For Christian students, considering where and how God wants to use them in the workplace can feel like a daunting task. But it doesn’t have to, said Bryan Dik, a vocational psychologist, professor of psychology at Colorado State University and co-founder and chief science officer of jobZology.
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Dik studies the intersection of faith and work and has authored several books on the subject, including “Redeeming Work” and “Make Your Job a Calling.” He also hosts the Purposeful Work Podcast.
Dik recently spoke with Darren Shear in an episode of Christianity and Business, a podcast produced by Houston Christian University to help Christian business leaders integrate biblical values into their business practices. Shear is founder and director of Christian Business Leader, an organization that produces tools to equip marketplace Christians with a Christ-centered, Bible-based framework for the work they do.
Making sense of experience
Believers and nonbelievers alike are trying to make sense of their experience, including their experience at work, Dik said. “They want it to matter.”
A key difference for believers in Christ is the worldview they bring to the workplace.
“To the extent that we’re able to tap into that and lean on that … Christians are able to experience a kind of existential joy from their work,” Dik said.
Shear said there’s an old saying, “people don’t quit jobs, they quit bosses.”
“Colossians 3:23 says, ‘Do your work as unto the Lord, not working for men.’ So we’ve got the best boss, the best leader, if we have the right mindset,” Shear said.
We’ve also got the Bible to guide us. Scripture-engaged adults are more confident of their calling or purpose in life and thereby flourish, the American Bible Society said in its latest release from the 2026 State of the Bible.
Those who are least engaged with the Bible often continue to seek a purpose or calling well into adulthood, and score lower on researchers’ flourishing scale, ABS said of findings released July 9 in the study’s fourth chapter.
Adults with the strongest sense of calling score 7.8 on the human flourishing scale of 10, compared to a score of 6.1 among those with the lowest sense of calling. Those with a stronger sense of calling also continue to flourish through life’s challenges.
Scripture engagement makes the difference, said John Plake, ABS chief innovation officer and State of the Bible editor-in-chief.
“People with a strong sense of calling flourish more, and Scripture is at the heart of that connection,” Plake said. “And when life is disrupted by grief, job loss or a serious illness, people who turn to Scripture find real comfort. Many don’t just endure the hardship; they come through it even stronger.”
Scripture-engaged adults also view their calling as spiritual or inspired by God, ABS said, as Scripture records many examples of spiritual callings. The vast majority (94%) of practicing Christians view the sense of calling from at least a somewhat spiritual lens, researchers said, compared to 70% of all Americans.
For young adults discerning a career path, Dik offers this advice: Look at your gifts, experiences and strengths.
“In vocational psychology, we look at things like interests, work-related values, personality traits, abilities and skills,” Dik said. “Once I have a clear understanding of how God has made me unique, then the question is: What does that mean in terms of opportunities in the world of work? Where can my gifts be best deployed? What are the needs in our community and in our world that I might be uniquely equipped to satisfy?”
Guidance and feedback
Dik suggests putting together a personal board of directors — three to five people in your life who have your “best interest in mind, who have a lot of wisdom, who don’t have an agenda but who can provide some guidance, feedback and candid honest advice.”
Being part of a community of believers with “like-minded folks who share your values” is important, he said, and so is praying and leaning on God for guidance.
“Most of us need to pray for wisdom rather than divine revelation to help make decisions,” Dik said. “Our data shows that when people make choices to pursue paths that align with their unique constellation of gifts, the outcomes are better.” (with reporting by Diana Chandler for Baptist Press)
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