Exploring calling to farming careers in the United Kingdom: a scoping review

Abstract

Through a UK lens, this scoping review explores whether farming careers can be considered as a calling, and thus better understood through Work as Calling Theory. A methodological approach aligned to Arksey and O’Malley’s five-stage framework generated limited “calling” focused literature in this space. However, studies meeting the inclusion criteria,which related to career choices, career motivation and/or career development in farming, display evidence of behaviours aligned to perceiving and living a calling: the discovery of meaning and purpose through work, passion, a sense of identity tied to work, barriers and challenges, and in some cases, a sense of burden related to living a calling. The authors suggest this is an area that warrants attention internationally to further investigate the need for practical and inclusive approaches to careers education, information, advice and guidance to facilitate the fulfilment of personal calling to farming careers