The Intersection of Career and Spirituality Part 1
By Rhonda Coleman Wandel
Spirituality, for me, is about recognizing that there’s something bigger than myself—something beyond the physical world, something cosmic or divine that connects us all. It’s a belief that there’s more to being human than just our sensory experience. This definition resonates with me, and it’s something I hold close.
Not long ago, I asked my friends for suggestions on what I should talk about for a potential TED Talk. I received a variety of ideas, but the one that stuck with me the most came from a close friend who’s been with me through a significant career pivot. She suggested I explore the intersection of career and spirituality—a concept I hadn’t fully considered, but one that made perfect sense given my journey.
To understand why this topic resonates so deeply, a bit of background on my own spiritual path is necessary.
When I was eight years old, my family started attending church—a lot. It was a Pentecostal community, devout and close-knit, with a strict heaven-and-hell mentality. There were many rules, and the faith was exclusionary. I understand now that the trauma my family had experienced made my parents seek something—a sense of security, a refuge as they rebuilt their lives. But at the time, it felt like being part of a very black-and-white world: you were either in, or you were out.
As I grew older, I began to feel that this type of spirituality wasn’t for me. I wanted a faith that was more inclusive—something that welcomed everyone, regardless of religion. To me, God wouldn’t choose who’s good or bad, who’s in or out. Instead, I believed that everyone—Christians, Jews, Muslims—was included. There was beauty in all belief systems, and I could see the common threads of love and faith connecting them all.
I didn’t realize it at the time, but I had begun to build my own sense of spirituality, one that was based on my own internal experience with God. I began to see that religion is simply a set of beliefs that people choose to adopt for different reasons—whether for safety, community, or understanding of their place in the world.
When I went to college, I had the space to explore. My university was Catholic, so I attended mass a few times. I was drawn to the solemnity of it, the controlled atmosphere, and the autonomy it gave me. In those moments, no one knew me—it was just me and my thoughts. There was no judgment, just acceptance of who I was.
I believe that there is something larger than myself at work—a cosmic force that connects us all. Through this connection, I’ve gained strength, and it has guided me throughout my career. Sometimes it shows up as a gut feeling or a word of wisdom from a friend at the perfect time. Other times, it’s in the smile of a mentor or in the connection with a sponsor who speaks for me when I’m not around. These little moments feel divine.
One example comes to mind: I overheard a woman talking about how important coaching had been to her, and it sparked a thought in me. A year later, I asked her for a recommendation, and she gave me two names. One of them was Anjli Garg. When I read her profile, I knew immediately that she was the coach for me. Working with her has been nothing short of divine. With her guidance, I’ve learned to identify and overcome limiting beliefs that were holding me back in my career. I’ve learned to block out the noise—the societal pressures that say I’m not enough—and to forge my own path as a lawyer.
The more I align with my intuition and stay focused and balanced, the more I recognize these beautiful, divine moments when they appear in my life. Spirituality is not just a part of my career journey—it’s what helps me stay grounded and connected to the greater purpose behind everything I do.
Stay tuned for part 2 of this article, where I'll dive deeper into the practical steps I take to stay balanced, focused, and in tune with who I am. I'll share the practices that help me navigate my career while staying aligned with my spiritual beliefs and maintaining that inner connection to purpose. It's all about using that balance to propel forward, both personally and professionally.
