Talking with students about faith-based career anxiety

Abstract

For Christian college students, the journey toward vocation can be hindered by faith-based anxiety. The relationship between students and mentors in Christian higher education offers a unique, optimum space to explore these beliefs. Christians in academia have invaluable personal experience in integrating their faith and career, and have much to teach the next generation in courageously engaging both mind and heart when making vocational choices. Within the professor–student relationship, intentional curiosity and conversation are tools for inquiry and resolution. We have included four common anxieties, with Scripture-based affirmations and challenges to those viewpoints, to model investigating these beliefs with students.