Why are more people leaving conventional careers to pursue work that aligns with their passions? For a growing segment of the workforce, the quest for meaning and fulfillment is driving a complete transformation in how they view work. According to a study published in the International Journal of Research in Marketing, some individuals are leaving behind stable, conventional jobs to embrace what researchers call ‘eudaimonic consumption careers’ (ECCs), where the pursuit of fulfillment takes precedence over material gain.
Study author Marian Makkar from the Royal Melbourne Institute of Technology explains, “These workers are after feelings of accomplishment, a life of virtue, and greater meaning in life. Happiness can be fleeting and short-lived, but hard work and setting big goals and developing skills to get there is what can bring long-term life satisfaction and fulfillment.” For Catholics, this perspective may echo familiar teachings about the value of sacrifice and seeking eternal, not temporary, rewards.
The 10.5-year ethnographic study followed snowsports instructors in Canada and New Zealand, revealing that many people enter ECCs to escape the monotony of conventional work or to find deeper purpose in their daily activities. One participant, reflecting on his decision to pursue snowboarding as a full-time career, said, “Or I could go skiing every day and still afford to eat and pay my rent. It’s all I really need, isn’t it?” The simplicity of such a life, focused more on experience than accumulation, mirrors the Gospel’s call to live simply and prioritize spiritual wealth over material gain.
However, embracing ECCs is not without its challenges. The study identified several difficulties, including financial instability, constant relocation, and the pressure to monetize personal passions. Beth, a former instructor, described the precarious nature of such work, noting that despite being promised employment in December, the actual work didn’t begin until late January, causing her to drain her savings. The economic uncertainty of ECCs highlights the importance of prudence and discernment in following one’s passion — virtues emphasized in Catholic teaching.
Community emerged as a crucial source of support for those pursuing ECCs. Researchers found that networks of like-minded individuals provided mutual aid, whether through shared housing or emotional encouragement. One participant noted how such connections allowed people to find stability in otherwise unstable careers: ‘In ski communities, meeting someone on a chairlift could naturally lead to offers of housing.’ For Catholics, such communal support can resonate with the principles of solidarity and mutual assistance, reinforcing the belief that ‘where two or three are gathered in My name, there am I among them’ (Matthew 18:20).
Despite the sense of freedom and meaning that ECCs can provide, many eventually return to conventional work. The researchers identified ‘disintegrative triggers’ like financial pressure and burnout as common reasons for leaving. One participant, Beth, described how the instability became too much: ‘I had to go back to a regular job because the emotional and financial toll just wasn’t sustainable.’
The study concludes by asking, ‘What would you be willing to sacrifice for meaning?’ For Catholics, this question may bring to mind Jesus’ call to ‘take up your cross daily and follow Me’ (Luke 9:23). Whether one chooses a traditional career or a passion-centered life, the ultimate goal remains the same: to seek God’s will and to use one’s gifts to serve others. In the end, true fulfillment comes not from what we do, but how we do it — with love, integrity, and a heart centered on Christ.
