Name, Age, City and State: Sean McDowell, 34, San Juan Capistrano, CA

Job-title: Educator, Author, Speaker

Web/blog site URL: seanmcdowell.org

Give us your job description in 25 words or less. I teach high school full time at a Christian School, and also speak publicly and write books on the topics of apologetics and worldviews.

Describe a typical workday. There really is no typical day for me! But, I often wake up, have a devotional with my 6-year-old son, teach all day, and then try to research or write in the afternoons before coming home to play with my kids. I travel a lot on weekends and during the summer.

What led you to realize that you wanted to do this type of work? In graduate school I saw a tremendous need among young people for truth and also a vacuum in the Christian church of people really addressing this need.

Did you have any heroes or mentors in your industry that you admired? Yes, my dad (Josh McDowell)! I also admire J.P. Moreland, William Lane Craig, and Greg Koukl.

What type of education or training was required to land your job? College degree and teacher training certificate. I also have two Master’s degrees (theology and philosophy) and am working on a Ph.D. in Apologetics and Worldview Studies. These aren’t necessary for what I do, but they really help.

What do you love most about your job? Seeing young people grasp something true and being able to apply it to their lives.

What one part of your job do you wish you could hire someone else to do? Grading and parent-teacher meetings!

What advice would you give to teenagers wanting to get into your field of work? Take every opportunity you can to begin developing your teaching, writing, or speaking skills now. Practice your teaching skills in youth group or some other setting, write a blog, and take every speaking opportunity you can get. Start small and get better every day. Also, observe people who are doing it right now and take mental notes.

How does your job allow you to use your God-given gifts? Everyday I get to teach young people how to think about God, the Bible, and how to live the Christian life, which is what I love.

Do you have any hobbies or off-hours pursuits that teenagers would find of interest? I actually love Spiderman. My classroom is covered with Spidey posters. I also enjoy reading and working out.