Christian Mission Heritage Series October 28, 2008
Don Thompson Professor of Mathematics Associate Vice President of Educational and Institutional Research Cindy Miller-Perrin Professor of Psychology Chair of Social Science Division
Student Development Survey Goal: To understand how students define vocation and develop their own personal sense of vocation 2002 – 2006 Surveyed 300 students Surveyed at 5 different time periods Baseline – summer before beginning at Pepperdine Each spring throughout undergraduate career
Cell-Phone Text Message Poll What is Vocation?
The secular definition views vocation as work or career Vocation is God’s calling for one’s life – the reason God made you Vocation is the intersection of faith development and identity development Vocation is “the place where your deep gladness and the world’s deep hunger meet”
Total applications: 7414, total enrolled: 838 (11%) GPA 3.69 SAT Verbal 610 SAT Math 621 SAT Writing 605
Cell-Phone Text Message Poll Motives, Discernment, and Barriers
Seattle, Washington Psychology Major Class of 2009 Graduate School Bound
College years are “critical years” in vocational development College students consider issues associated with personal identity, faith beliefs, and career options Faith, identity, and vocational development are not uniform across the college years
SubscalesSample Items Strength of Belief (alpha =.81) I view myself as a religious person. I have doubts about whether my religious beliefs are true. Faith Behavior (alpha =.88) How often do you attend religious services? How often have you read a devotional, religious, or spiritual book in the last year? Application of Faith (alpha =.90) I depend on my faith in God for decision-making and direction. I try hard to carry my religious beliefs into all other dealings in my life.
Students receive scores on four identity scales: ◦ Diffusion: no exploration or commitment “I haven’t really considered politics. It just doesn’t excite me much.” ◦ Foreclosure: no exploration, but commitment “My parents decided a long time ago what I should go into for employment and I’m following through with their plans.” ◦ Moratorium: exploration without commitment “Religion is confusing to me right now. I keep changing my views on what is right and wrong for me.” ◦ Achievement: exploration and commitment “It took me a while to figure it out, but now I really know what I want for a career.”
SubscalesSample Items Discernment and Purpose (alpha =.76) I have a good sense for my life purpose. I know of the many ways that I can use my gifts and talents within the context of my professional career. I am unsure about what God is specifically calling me to do. Service to Others (alpha =.68) I am motivated to choose a career that will enable me to provide some type of service to others. I feel a deep sense of responsibility for reducing pain and suffering in the world.
Subscales Barriers to life purpose fulfillment Personal Barriers (alpha =.84) Fear Emotional Problems Self-doubt Lack of motivation Interpersonal Barriers (alpha =.86) A parent A friend A boy/girl friend A teacher or professor Social and Cultural Barriers (alpha =.90) Lack of financial resources Feeling pressure or a desire to get married Feeling that my opportunities are limited by the gender stereotypes of society
Strength of Belief varied significantly over time Faith Behavior varied significantly over time Application of Faith did not vary significantly over time
Total Personal Barriers scores varied over time, marginally
South Bend, Indiana Philosophy Major Class of 2008 Law School Bound
College students experience significant developmental variation over time ◦ Strength of faith belief ◦ Faith behavior ◦ Identity development Foreclosure, Moratorium, Achievement ◦ Personal Barriers
Faith matters – Stay spiritually nourished, seek wisdom Know Thyself – look for ways to challenge your assumptions Barriers are real – live through and with them Sophomore year - expect a watershed Purpose - bigger and broader than your career
Cindy Miller-Perrin: Don Thompson: