Career and Vocation
Marc Andreessen is a very successful technologist and entrepreneur. He created the Mosaic web browser which became the foundation for Netscape Communications, the poster child for the dot-com boom (and bust). He recently wrote a series of columns about career planning that is targeted but not specific to high-tech. I would like to compare and contrast this “career guide” with how you might approach your career with an understanding of Christian vocation.
First, I want to set the context of the two approaches. Marc Andreessen readily admits that his guide is for people looking to make a significant impact on their fields and the world. His approach is not for those looking for work/life balance. Christian vocation says that God has placed us where we are so we can serve people out of love for Him. This approach doesn’t specifically try to balance work/life, but simply submits to God’s will.
Rule 1: Do not plan your career
The Andreessen approach is to not plan because you don’t know what’s going to happen in the future. Planning your career will only limit you because you don’t know what companies, industries, roles, etc. will be opened to you.
Christian vocation would say not to plan your career either. Trust in God, and serve peoples as they are presented to you. Look at Joseph, he didn’t have a career plan but ended up 2nd to Pharaoh by serving his neighbors.
Rule 2: Instead of planning your career, focus on developing skills and pursuing opportunities
Instead of planning your career, the Andreessen approach says to look for, pursue, and create opportunities. Then take the opportunities and develop a portfolio of skills and roles. The opportunities presented may appear to be risky, but if they lead you to a more well developed set of skills it may be less risky when looking at the big picture.
Focus on serving people would be the equivalent from the perspective of Christian vocation. Opportunities to grow will present themselves as God continues to place people in your life who you can serve.
And on and on…
At this point, the analysis starts to become repetitive. Andreessen gives various tips and pointers for navigating college, your first job, where, to live, what industry to pick, etc. And Christian vocation responds with, “trust in God.” Our sinful nature doesn’t want to trust God and we believe we can do a better job of picking our career path.
So, how does one follow the concepts of Christian vocation in a real career? Well, I’ll walk through my career in the next couple of posts and see where I have and haven’t followed these principles and the outcomes in each case.
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October 11th, 2007 at 5:55 pm
i will look forward to the next few posts:) you’re such a good neighbor!
blessings,
erin