Differences between a vocation, career, and job?

I'm trying to understand the differences between a vocation, a career, and just a regular job. How do these terms apply to choosing what path to follow after high school, and is one better than the others?

Sure, I can help clarify for you. Let's start with each term individually:

A job refers to the tasks you do to earn money. It can offer some stability or provide a paycheck, but it might not necessarily be associated with long-term goals or personal passion. It might not allow for much growth or advancing up a ladder of some sort. For example, working as a cashier during summer breaks in high school would usually be considered a job.

A career, on the other hand, is longer-term and generally refers to a professional journey that spans several years, often with a clear progression or path in a specific field. You evolve and grow in this progression, acquiring new skills, rising in positions, and developing professionally. If you become a teacher, for instance, you may start as an entry level teacher, then maybe become a department head, a vice principal, a principal, etc.

A vocation often describes work that is viewed as a calling. It's something that aligns deeply with your passion, core values, and sense of purpose. It's not just about earning money—it's also about fulfillment and making a meaningful contribution. A calling to help others might lead you to become a nurse, for instance, and you feel intrinsically rewarded by the work, beyond just a paycheck.

None of these paths—job, career, or vocation—is necessarily better than the others. It often lands on what's important to you at varying life stages and your personal vision. When choosing a path after high school, reflect on where your interests lie, what your long-term goals are, and what types of work would bring you satisfaction on a daily basis. Remember, these aren't fixed categories—someone might see a certain occupation as a fervent vocation while someone else sees the same role as a job, and that's okay. It's all about finding what suits your personal vision and needs.