Abstract. This paper reports on the development of a unidimensional short scale for measuring career calling (UMCS-7). The scale has been developed drawing from the theoretical model behind the Unified Multidimensional Calling Scale (UMCS; Vianello et al., 2018 ), according to which calling is composed of Passion, Prosociality, Purpose, Pervasiveness, Sacrifice, Transcendent Summons, and Identity. The UMCS-7 integrates classical and modern conceptualizations of career calling and can be used when time constraints prevent using the UMCS. The UMCS-7 has been validated in a sample of Italian workers ( N = 1,246) using exploratory and confirmatory factor analysis. A sample of US employees ( N = 165) was used to estimate measurement invariance across languages, establishing the equivalence of factor loadings, all but two intercepts, and all error variances. The UMCS-7 demonstrated nearly perfect convergent validity with the UMCS ( r = .97), excellent internal consistency (αItaly = .86; αUS = .87), and satisfactory concurrent validity with job satisfaction, life satisfaction, and turnover intentions.

The Work as a Calling Theory (WCT) predicts that career calling fosters job performance. A quantitative summary of previous work supports this prediction and shows that the relation between calling and job performance is moderate in size ( ρ = .29, K = 11, N = 2286) . Yet, the environmental conditions that modulate this relation are completely unknown. According to an interactionist perspective, we argue that calling may predict performance only when job demand is low. Results of a multisource study on salesmen and managers dyads ( N= 965) partially supported this prediction. We observed that highly demanding work environments, characterized by pressure to perform, high workload, and unachievable deadlines, suppress the positive relation between calling and self-reported performance. Job demand directly impairs performance and suppresses the positive effect of career calling. Theoretical and practical implications of these results are discussed.

Career calling is a pervasive, purposeful, and passion-driven approach to work that is central to the individuals’ identity, contributes to the greater good, transcends their self and for which they are willing to make sacrifices. Research on the dynamics of career calling has grown exponentially, but clarity on whether and how a career calling changes during key life transitions is still lacking. In this article, the results of a two-wave study are reported in which changes in perceiving a calling, living out a calling, and calling motivation were compared across groups of college students (n = 781), college-to-work transitioners (n = 143), and workers (n = 270). The results show that perceiving a calling is stable for students, decreases during college-to-work transitions, and slightly increases for workers. Living out a calling is stable for students, decreases during college-to-work transitioners, and slightly decreases for workers. Motivation to pursue one’s calling is stable in all groups and higher for students entering the job market. Workers have lower levels of perceiving and living out a calling than students. The implications of these results are discussed.

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