Career Planning for Students: What Do Christian Students Overlook When Choosing a Career?
Like many other Christian students who deeply desire to follow God’s will, we also had times when we felt stuck, questioning whether we were making a good decision.
That’s completely understandable; after all, choosing a career is a big responsibility, and it better not be taken lightly.
We do want to highlight 5 key things many Christian students tend to overlook when choosing a career (and what you can do instead).
In this piece, we’ll also provide valuable advice on career planning for students and explore how your faith can play an active role in your future.
Hopefully, by the time you’re done reading, you’ll feel more confident in moving forward. Plus, we have a free guide to help you make an informed decision. 🙏
What Do Christian Students Overlook When Choosing a Career?
1. Seeking God's guidance through prayer
The first thing we want to mention (and I want to say this carefully because I know most of you are probably doing this already) is seeking God’s guidance through prayer.
God hears you. Your prayers are never in vain.
Think of Proverbs 16:9:
“In their hearts, humans plan their course, but the Lord establishes their steps.”
Sometimes, we take a step in faith, and God adjusts our direction as we go (Psalm 32:8):
“I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go; I will counsel you with my eye upon you.”
What can you do today?
Just because you don’t have immediate clarity doesn’t mean God isn’t leading you. Sometimes, His guidance unfolds gradually.
At some point in my life, I convinced myself there was only one way forward, not realizing that God can provide in ways I can’t even comprehend. My limited vision locked my focus onto “my plan” instead of trusting His.
Psalm 78:15-16 reminds us how God provided for Israel in impossible situations:
“He split the rocks in the wilderness and gave them water as abundant as the seas; he brought streams out of a rocky crag and made water flow down like rivers”.
Yet, despite seeing miracle after miracle, the Israelites still doubted Him, “But they continued to sin against him, rebelling in the wilderness against the Most High” (Psalm 78:17).
I did the same thing: worrying about making the wrong choice instead of trusting God’s limitless possibilities.
Instead of stressing over every detail and thinking you’re off track, step forward in faith, knowing He will guide you.
2. Understanding personal values and motivations
The second overlooked factor is understanding your personal values and motivations. As followers of Jesus, we know our ultimate purpose is to glorify God, but how that plays out in our careers is different for each of us.
As long as you keep your faith, most jobs can be done for God’s glory. You don’t have to be in full-time ministry to serve Him through your work.
Colossians 3:23 reminds us:
“Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for human masters.”
So the real question is: What are the values that God has placed on your heart?
For example, if you’re deeply motivated by a sense of justice and advocacy, maybe a career in law, social work, or policy aligns with your calling. If you love innovation and problem-solving, becoming a researcher or an engineer might be a great fit for you.
To make it easier for you, we’ve identified 8 problem profiles where your skills and contribution could make a significant impact. And if you’re ready to start mapping out a career tackling one of these problems, click below to access our free 5-step guide to an impactful career.
3. Realizing this is a journey, not a one-time decision
Choosing a career is one of the most important decisions you’ll ever make. Despite that, it doesn’t have to be a one-time decision.
I wish someone had told me this earlier. Many of us feel like we have to choose one career and stick with it. In reality, that’s rarely how it works.
We develop the skills and we gain the experience we need to move forward and do God’s work.
Additionally, for most of us, our time is the biggest asset we have to make an impact. We have roughly 80,000 hours in our career.
The good news is that 80,000 hours is a lot of time to explore opportunities and follow God’s guidance. You can pivot when needed, and pursue new paths if something opens up that aligns with His plan.
Too often, students limit themselves to what’s familiar or what seems socially acceptable, instead of exploring all the ways God might provide for them.
Your first job may not be your final calling, and that’s okay. God often leads us step by step. The important thing is to be faithful and to work with what’s in front of you right now.
4. Looking for counsel and mentorship
That leads us to point four: Seeking wise counsel and mentorship.
Proverbs 15:22 says:
“Plans fail for lack of counsel, but with many advisers, they succeed.”
God designed us to live in a community, and that includes asking our peers for advice when making big life decisions. It’s so important to learn from those who have gone before us.
Besides, sometimes we’re too close to our own situation to see things objectively. A mentor or trusted leader can offer a different perspective on our circumstances.
What can you do next?
If you don’t have a mentor yet, start by reaching out to your professors, church leaders, or professionals in your field of interest. Ask about their journey, their struggles, and what they wish they had known at your stage.
At Christians for Impact, we offer free 1:1 career advising. Discover how our experts and mentors can help you choose a career that returns maximum impact.
Remember to ask God to send the right people into your life. He often provides guidance through others.
5. Building a career action plan
Finally, many students overlook building a career action plan.
“In the same way, faith by itself, if it is not accompanied by action, is dead.” (James 2:17)
If you believe God is leading you toward a certain field, take tangible steps:
Research different degree programs
Look for internships or volunteer work
Develop skills that align with your desired career
If you’re feeling stuck, ask yourself: “What is one small step I can take today toward where I believe God is leading me?” Then do it.
Recap: Focus on your plan but keep your options open. God may close and open doors unexpectedly, and that’s a good thing. Create a roadmap that helps you move forward with intention while keeping your heart open to new opportunities.
Career Planning for Students: Final Thoughts
We hope today’s conversation has given you clarity and peace. If you know someone who might need encouragement too, consider sharing this article with them.
Before you leave: as promised, we have a free resource for you, The Guide to Building an Impactful Career as a Christian.
And if you’re more of an audiobook/podcast type of person, we’ve got you covered. Check out the Christians For Impact podcast for exclusive conversations with Christian experts about the world’s most pressing problems and how you can have an impact.
Career Planning for Students: Frequently Asked Questions
How do I align my career with my faith?
Start by viewing your career as part of God's greater plan for your life. Your work is more than income or status. When you align it with God’s purpose, it becomes a way to serve Him and others.
Consider how your work can impact God's Kingdom, both directly and indirectly.
Incorporate Christian values like integrity, radical empathy, and generosity into your work.
Let effective altruism, service, and compassion guide your career decisions. How you treat others should reflect Christ’s love and character.
No matter your field, your work can be a ministry. Encourage, support, and uplift those around you through your daily responsibilities.
Whether directly through ministry or indirectly through jobs, volunteering, and earning to give, your career is an opportunity to glorify God and make a difference.
Check out our article to find out how to use your God-given gifts and talents to help others.
Why is it a good idea to develop a career plan?
Having a career plan keeps you focused, gives you clarity, and helps you make decisions that align with your faith. It allows you to take proactive steps while staying accountable and ensuring that your work reflects God’s purpose for your life.
✅ Helps you focus on what’s important and avoid distractions
Many many years ago already, when I first started thinking about my career, I felt pulled in so many directions. Having a plan helped me stay focused on what really mattered.
✅ It provides a sense of direction and clarity
Most people, when they have a clear plan, they feel more at peace. It also serves as a reminder that God has set out a path for you.
✅ Allows you to take proactive steps toward your goals
To be fair, early on in my journey, I waited for the “right” doors to open. Ever since, I’ve learned that taking small, intentional steps (e.g., gaining new skills or seeking mentorship) allows God to guide me along the way.
✅ Keeps you accountable to your values and faith in God
Throughout your journey, there will be times when compromise seems easier. But having a plan rooted in faith will keep you grounded, reminding you to put God first in every decision.
Read further to learn how to build an impactful career that aligns with God’s plan.
How to build a career action plan?
Develop Christ-like virtues
“A good man brings good things out of the good stored up in his heart, and an evil man brings evil things out of the evil stored up in his heart. For the mouth speaks what the heart is full of.” (Luke 6:45)
Besides focusing on habits and strategies for maximizing impact and tackling problems God cares about, we strongly encourage you to prioritize your personal spiritual growth, and becoming more like Christ.
Find your problem
The world today faces many challenges, including:
Hunger
Poverty
Nuclear weapons
Family breakdown
Climate change
You can make a change through your work.
But first, how can you find your problem?
In our guide, we present a framework to help you assess these pressing global problems. Each of the challenges we’ve identified has a high combination of three key factors:
Importance: Solving these would make a massive difference in the world.
Tractability: These can create a "domino effect," where a single small action can initiate a chain reaction.
Neglectedness: Helping those less likely to get the assistance they need unless we step in and take the initiative.
Keep reading our Guide to Building an Impactful Career as a Christian for more resources, exercises, and actionable steps.
Find solutions
Fortunately, there are many places and areas where you can make a difference. Some of these include:
Charity programs
Government policies
For-profit products
Research discoveries
What to make a tangible change? Engage with nonprofits or community organizations.
If there's something about the current structure you're not quite happy about? Work within the public sector or influencing policy decisions.
Are you driven by innovation? Contribute to scientific or academic research.
All of these can help improve lives, tackle pressing global problems, and shape future generations.
Find your role
Some problems need more skilled people, while others require funding (or both). To make a meaningful impact, learn from experts and those working in the field to understand what’s most needed from you. Read about what’s required in 15 of the most impactful jobs taken by Christians in our jobs guide.
Get the skills and experience
Find out what are the key skills required for the high-impact role you’re interested in. Take time to identify specific abilities you can develop to maximize your impact. By focusing on what’s most relevant to your goals, you’ll be more likely to achieve your goals and make a significant difference.
