Why Politics? - Finding your vocation

by Emily Whalen

I’ve been interested in politics for a long time, through the dual lenses of both current events and history. I grew up in a household where the news was always on and where I was taught the importance of voting and being politically engaged. As a kid, I had a placemat of all the U.S. Presidents, and I became obsessed with it to the point where I could recite them in order. I started learning more about who these people were -- about the lives they led, the decisions they made, and how they shaped our country.

So when I went to Boston College as an undergraduate, it was easy to choose a major: history. As a Jesuit institution, there was a strong focus on service and finding one’s purpose. Both inside and outside of the classroom, BC’s motto of “men and women for others” was fully embraced by students and professors alike. And, as soon as I set foot on campus, I found myself facing questions about finding my vocation, or about what path I felt would lead me to a meaningful life. 

One of the most memorable pieces of advice from my time at BC was that the search for vocation should be centered around three questions: What brings you joy? What are you good at? What does the world need you to be? I found my vocation by asking myself these questions in a supportive community environment, and by reflecting on my political upbringing.

For most people who have served, service is their vocation. It takes different forms, of course, but people who are committed to service will always find a way to be a part of something larger than themselves. No matter how they choose to do so, the calling remains the same: to be “men and women for others.” What many might not realize, however, is that if they ask themselves the same questions that led them to step up and serve their country once, they’ll find their answers in the world of politics. 

Just like the military or national service, politics is a way to have a broad impact on a variety of issues and to be part of an ecosystem that provides much needed support for our communities. And there are ways that every servant leader can fit into the political world — whether through running for office themselves, staffing a campaign, or supporting an elected official. 

Finding a vocation is such a privilege, and it’s especially powerful to be able to ask these questions in a community of fellow servant leaders. That’s why Answering the Call is such a unique opportunity — veterans and service alumni can think about their vocation with a like-minded braintrust that will help them discern whether politics is actually their calling. 

I’m grateful to Boston College for supporting me in doing the work that led to me finding my vocation, and I hope that you’ll be able to find vocation just like I did. Apply to Answering the Call and clarify whether your vocation is politics.