Examining predictors and outcomes of a career calling among undergraduate students

•Examined predictors and outcomes of a career calling•Studied a diverse sample of 292 undergraduate students at two time points•Calling significantly predicted personal growth initiative and life meaning.•Life meaning, search for life meaning, and vocational self-clarity significantly predicted calling.

The current study examined predictors and outcomes of a career calling among 292 undergraduate students at two time points over a three-month period. Using structural equation modeling, a model was tested that examined the extent to which calling, life meaning, the search for life meaning, vocational clarity, and personal growth at Time 1 would predict these same variables at Time 2. Results showed that calling was a significant predictor of personal growth and life meaning and that life meaning, the search for life meaning, and vocational self-clarity significantly predicted the presence of a calling. Although findings demonstrating calling as a predictor variable are consistent with previous research, these results also demonstrate the potential reciprocal relation of calling to proximal work and well-being variables over time. Implications and future research directions are discussed.