Why Career Advancement Is All About Intention for Practicing Catholics

Your career defines how you spend much of your time. It pays the bills, but it’s also how you interact with the world. Consider how your career advancement could further your Catholic faith. This guide can help you define what that means for your life, how to align your career with your faith and how to practice intention as a Christian.

What Does Career Advancement Mean for Catholics?

God created everyone with unique gifts. He calls some people to lead, while others build robust communities by serving from the heart. Everyone’s role in society can glorify God, but that may feel more challenging when you think it’s time to switch jobs.

According to national labor market research, employers added over 517,000 new jobs in January. People have abundant opportunities for career advancement, but taking that leap is a big step.

Christians can guide their careers by seeking roles that create opportunities to glorify God. Your new daily responsibilities could become resources to represent Him in new industries or roles. You may reach more people or become the first light on a dark hill.

Matthew 14–16: “You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hid. Nor do men light a lamp and put it under a bushel, but on a stand, and it gives light to all in the house. Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven.” (RSV)

How Do We Align Our Careers With Our Faith?

Unless you plan to study at a seminary, your career might not directly relate to your faith. Here are a few ways to align your career with your Christian beliefs, no matter what you hope to accomplish professionally.

1. Find Christian Employers

You can always begin your job search by looking for Christian companies or organizations. They’ll explain their beliefs on their websites so you can easily find one that shares your beliefs.

You’ll also discover new ways for your faith to guide your employment. A Catholic organization might aid people asking important questions about mental health resources. You could help impoverished communities by building affordable housing or operating a food bank spearheaded by a Christian company.

Many people begin their career advancement by searching for job titles. However, Christians can seek faith-based employers to find more rewarding professional roles that align their careers with their faith.

2. Read Company Mission Statements

If you can’t find a Christian employer close to your home, you can also read company mission statements before applying for their open positions. Many corporate values echo foundational Christan beliefs. You’ll often find values listed that include:

• Honesty
• Integrity
• Accountability
• Respect
• Teamwork

Christians also strive for integrity (2 Corinthians 8:21), live in honesty (Colossians 3:9) and serve in team roles (Ecclesiastes 4:9–12). Foundational beliefs drive what companies do. If you believe in the same values listed in their mission statement, you’ll likely feel right at home with that employer.

3. Find a Way to Serve

Although you can search for a new job with a service-focused role, your career advancement could also mean staying with your current company. Consider what God calls Christians to do in Ecclesiastes 9:10:

“Whatever your hand finds to do, do it with your might; for there is no work or thought or knowledge or wisdom in Sheol, to which you are going.” (RSV)

Putting more energy into refining your productivity is another way to practice your faith with intention each day. You could use your technical expertise to automate time-consuming processes like scheduling appointments or billing customers. Your employer would notice your hard work, which stems from a direct Christian call.

Your career advancement might happen with a promotion that comes from a new perspective. Consider how you could better serve in your current position to practice your faith and propel your career forward.

Ways for Christians to Practice Intention

Intention may not come up in small group discussions or sermons as often as you’d like. Learn how to practice it for your career with these tips.

1. Daily Prayers

Practicing intention means directing your efforts toward a singular goal. The good news is that Christians don’t have to do that alone. You can spend quiet time in your daily devotions by requesting heavenly guidance. Ask God how to put your career intentions into action and how He wants you to serve in faith.

Putting your intention into prayer could result in more straightforward scripture reading. Your Bible might open to a verse like 1 Corinthians 10:31:

“So, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God.” (RSV)

That might bring hobbies to mind. They’re how you spend your time, but learning a new skill through an additional hobby could aid your career. You might pickup coding skills that open professional doors to tech companies that improve the world through software programming. A Christian employer may also need a coder to help operate their outreach programs.

Use your prayer time to ask for spiritual guidance. As you wait for God to point you in the right direction, your intentions will refine your focus so your path forward is clearer.

2. Attending Mass

Catholics specifically have a calling for interior participation in Mass. You can offer your intention at Mass to participate in your heart. Ask for help identifying or putting your intentions into action through your career. Mass is the central act of worship for Catholics. Use that time with God to communicate about your professional future and your other prayer requests.

3. Fasting

You may only consider fasting for Ash Wednesday, Lent and Good Friday. However, Christians can fast for personal reasons outside of holidays. Consider using a few helpful tips to use your mealtime abstinence to grow closer to Christ:

• Plan fewer, smaller meals for a set period (for example, one to three days)
• Decide how you’ll stay busy to avoid temptations (like serving your community in your free time)
• Dedicate time for more scripture reading outlined in your fasting plan

Listen closely for career guidance as you set more time aside for God during your fasting period. You may find new ways to use your faith in your career by focusing on your intentions as you fast.

Strive for Career Advancement

Career advancement means something different for Catholics and Christians. You can match your faith-based values with your professional life by setting the right intentions. Use these tips to get started and experience the rewarding career you want.