Haleigh Bries

PSY 490
Dr. Grinde
09/17/2020

Vocation Paper

Before I could begin constructing this paper I had to take a step back and figure out what has shaped me throughout the years

into who I am today. While we discussed in class that no person can be defined by one singular thing, there are aspects of my identity

that I believe to represent my core values. With that said, something that is very central to my identity, and therefore my vocation, is

my Catholic faith. No matter where life takes me career wise I personally aspire to be able to live out my faith every day. I recognize

that this might not necessarily mean working for the church, but I know that I am called to uphold the dignity of all in everything that I

do. It is my Catholic identity that was really the starting place for me when considering my vocation. I truly believe that we are all

here for a reason and that as a disciple I not only have the ability to do good things, but that I have a responsibility to live a life of

service to others. So, when contemplating what I believe my vocation to be at this particular point in time I started by looking at it

through a Catholic lens. I began by asking myself a question influenced by a theologian named Frederick Buechner that I have learned

over the years pursuing my faith here at Loras. Buechner discusses vocation as the intersection where someone’s greatest joy meets

the world’s greatest need. So, I asked myself: where do my greatest joys meet one of the world’s greatest needs?
 To answer this question, I had to first think about what it is in life that brings me joy. Being in community with others, learning

more about the world around me, and living my faith are three things that I perceive to bring me the most joy. These joys have

influenced my personal goals, and what I believe will make me feel fulfilled on a personal level. In terms of learning and being in

community, I have already had the opportunity to study abroad in Spain which was such an incredible and eye-opening experience for

me. It really solidified my desire to travel and immerse myself in other cultures. However, I have come to recognize the needs of

members of the Latinx community and other Spanish speakers here in the United States that need to be addressed as well. Taking from

that experience, when identifying aspects of vocation in terms of personal goals I know that I would really love to do something

(either professionally or personally) where I could work with or help members of the Spanish speaking community. Not that I would

be unhappy doing something else, I just think that addressing the needs of this particular population really connects with my love for

language and immersing myself in the culture of others in order to be in more authentic community with them. This would bring

together my desire for community with others, living my Catholic faith through the call to serve, as well as my love of learning.

Through the lens of learning, I believe my educational goals play a role in who I am and what I feel called to do. I am a triple

major in Psychology, Religious Studies, and Spanish. I chose each of these majors because I felt that they allowed me to have a better

and more in depth understanding of people. The psychology aspect has helped me to learn more about behavior and why people do

what they do. The religion aspect has helped me to better understand a more spiritual side to people and why they do what they do.

Finally, the Spanish aspect was in order to lessen the barriers that there might be between myself and others. I think that this is

important when thinking about my vocation because one of my core values is to continue to learn. Not only academically but also
professionally and personally. I think that we have so much to learn from people who may be different from us, and from living in

authentic community with others. The notion from the Bible that what you receive as a gift, you should then give as a gift (Matthew

10:8) is a notion that I learned during my time here at Loras and that has heavily influenced my view of the world. I think it reigns true

when uncovering my vocation because I have received so many gifts throughout my life and have had so many opportunities to learn

and grow. Now, as I am approaching life after college I have begun reflecting on how I can take what I have received as a gift here at

Loras college (whether that be what I have learned in my classes or the support I have received from others), and how I can pass along

that gift to others.

All of this combined cultivates my vocation in a profession or career sense. If I’m being honest I am not one hundred percent

sure what it is that I am going to do after graduation in terms of a job, and I’m not sure what specific career path aligns with my

vocation. However, my ultimate professional goal would be to find something that aligns with the principles of Ikigai that we

discussed in class. If I could base my career aspirations off this principle of Ikigai (finding a career where I could get paid for doing

something that I am good at, that brings me joy, and addresses the needs of others) then I know that I would find a sense of

fulfillment. While at this point in my life I may not be certain about my desired job title after graduation, I have begun to research

more career options that might fit with the personal and educational side of my vocation, and align with this principle of Ikigai. I think

that eventually I could see myself working as a child or teen psychologist, or as a school counselor. However, taking this a step further

in order to align even more with my sense of vocation, I would really like to focus on working with members of the Spanish speaking

community. This would meet the different “criteria” of the principle of Ikigai because I am really good at working with kids and have
experience doing so, I love being able to use my Spanish skills and to be in more authentic relationships with others, there is a

growing need for psychologists who can speak Spanish in order to better address the needs of that community, and it is something that

I could get paid for. Overall, this is something that I feel passionately about, and I can definitely see myself following this career path

as it aligns so well with the other aspects of my vocation.

Even with these possibilities in mind I am open to whatever life may bring my way. Vocation is not meant to be a singular path

that once it’s determined it can never be changed. While I may have some ideas regarding what my vocation is, I still have questions. I

think one of my biggest questions at this point in my continual discovery of my vocation is where I am called to be in terms of literal

location. I know that this might not seem essential in terms of vocation, but I think for me it is necessary to consider because there are

different communities in need in various locations. There is a continually growing population of primarily Spanish speakers in the

United States, but there is not a very large number of psychologists who can communicate with them and provide quality care. I know

that there are larger populations of people who need psychologists who can speak Spanish and who understand Latinx culture in larger

cities, however I am not sure if a city life will align with my personality and personal goals. Because of this, I am still wrestling with

the question of where I am called to be in terms of a larger or smaller community. I also recognize that my career aspirations may

change and so I am moving forward with an open mind. Even though I might not have everything figured out right now I think I have

come to understand myself so much better. I feel so much more confidant in knowing who I am moving forward through this

academic year and beyond.