Recently a college student I know was talking to a minister. My college student acquaintance told the minister,”I'm going into the marketing business.”

The minister responded, “Oh, so you're going to sell people stuff they don't need for a living? And you're okay with that?”

My young college friend was stopped in her tracks. She promptly changed careers.

I wonder what would have happened if that minister had, instead of making a blanket judgment (um, what happened to “judge not, so that you will not be judged”?)… if instead of crushing a young person's dream… had said something like:

“Wow! That's great. You're going to earn your living by telling people how companies add value to their lives? I admire you for taking on such a challenging and rewarding profession.”

I wonder.

I'm not saying there isn't a lot of sleazy marketers out there – because we all know there are.

I am saying we need more people who will bring honor to our profession. What do you think?