Links to related Web Sites are listed at the bottom of this page.
| AREAS |
EMPLOYERS |
STRATEGIES |
|
LOCAL MINISTRIES
Youth Ministries
Adult Ministries
Leisure Ministries
Counseling/Recovery
Religious Education
Day Care, Children and Adult
Missionary Outreach
Food Bank/Emergency Ministries
Family Life Center Management
Journalism
Public Relations
Television, Radio and Films
Publishing
Music
|
- Local churches, synagogues and mosques
- Religious organizations
- Denominational boards
|
Get additional training or double major in specialized
areas.
Obtain certification for specialized areas.
Obtain Master's degree in Divinity or counseling.
Get experience in communications areas and
develop a portfolio.
Double major in music; take additional courses in
religious music. Get performance experience
through campus groups.
Gain experience by volunteering in local church and campus religious organizations.
Obtain an internship at denominational headquarters.
Build relationships with local church and denominational
leaders. |
| |
SOCIAL SERVICES
|
- Nonprofit organizations including United Way, Red Cross, Goodwill Industries, Salvation Army, etc.
- Churches, synagogues and mosques
- Religious hospitals and hospices
- Correctional institutions
- Shelters
- Nursing homes
- Youth organizations and camps including YMCA, YWCA, Young Life, etc.
- Adoption agencies/Foster Care
- Religious political organizations e.g.
- Moral Majority
|
Volunteer with local organizations for experience.
May need specialized training/certification for some areas.
Obtain excellent interpersonal and oral and written communication skills.
Seek summer camp experience and leadership roles, such as director or assistant director.
Legal experience and law degree may be required. |
| |
HEALTH AND WELFARE MINISTRIES
Administration
Social Services
Residential Living
Religious Activities Programming
Chaplainry
Counseling: Mental Health or Pastoral
|
- Hospitals
- Mental health treatment facilities
- Nursing homes
- Retirement homes
- Assisted living homes
- Children/youth homes
|
Double major or minor in Business, Social Work,
Human Services or special interest area.
Take courses related to special populations.
Volunteer time in related organizations.
Obtain advanced degrees and certification for
counseling and chaplainry. May need ordination
for pastoral counseling. |
| |
CLERGY
Buddhist
Catholic
Jewish
Protestant
|
- Local churches, synagogues, mosques
- Religious organizations
- Denominational boards and agencies
- Monasteries
|
Become involved in related campus activities.
Protestant clergy positions require denominational
ordination and usually a Master of Divinity.
Possess high moral and ethical standards.
Develop leadership ability and self discipline.
Obtain excellent written and verbal communication
skills. |
| |
CHAPLAINRY
Military
Institutional |
- Hospitals, hospices
- Homes for children, youth, senior citizens
- Correctional institutions
- Police and fire departments
- All branches of military service
|
Obtain ordination and two years' service in local church.
After acceptance into branch of service, attend chaplainry school. |
| |
MISSIONS
Church and Community Development
Education
Medical
Metropolitan Ministries
Community Centers
Evangelism
|
- Denominational boards or agencies
- Missions boards
- Local churches
- Religious institutions
- Evangelical organizations e.g.
- Billy Graham
Evangelistic Association
|
Obtain any needed advanced degrees, certification or licensing for area of interest.
Seek related volunteer or work experience.
Obtain travel and cultural experience with group of
interest. Foreign language skills are a plus.
Develop fundraising skills and contacts. |
| |
EDUCATION
Teaching
Research
Counseling
Administration/Staff
Chaplainry
Religious Life Programming
Campus Ministry
|
- Religiously affiliated schools
- Preparatory schools
- Private, public or religiously affiliated colleges and
universities
- Schools of theology/seminaries
- Organizations such as Fellowship of Christian Athletes, Campus Crusade for Christ, Muslim
Student Association, Hillel
Buddhist Monasteries such as Chuang Yen Monastery
|
May require certification/licensure to teach.
Ph.D. usually required for teaching, research and
administration in colleges and universities.
Complete Master of Divinity plus additional training
for campus ministry.
Master of Divinity and Ph.D., D.Min. or Th.D. usually
required for teaching, research and administration
in seminaries and schools of theology.
May require multiple skills such as providing ministerial services as well as administration, teaching, coaching, etc.
Become involved in specific campus ministry
organizations.
Seek leadership positions and internships or summer employment opportunities. |
| |
BUSINESS
Administration/Management
Human Resources
Building Management
Research
|
- Local churches, synagogues and mosques
- Religious bookstores
- Religious publishers
- Denominational boards/agencies
- Seminaries/schools of theology
- Religiously affiliated schools
- Denominational hospitals, homes, schools, boards and agencies
|
Double major or minor in Business.
Get related experience.
Dual degree in engineering helpful.
Develop research and writing skills. |
| |
COMMUNICATIONS
Writing
Editing
Publishing
Television/Film
Radio
Advertising
Public Relations
Sales
Commercial Art
|
- Denominational boards/agencies
- Interdenominational organizations
- Local churches, synagogues and mosques
- Denominational publishing houses of books and magazines
- Secular publishing houses
- Secular radio, television and film industry
|
Consider freelance positions. Permanent positions
are limited.
Take courses in English, social sciences and
journalism. Develop excellent writing skills.
Submit articles for publication for religious and
nonreligious papers and journals.
Learn desktop publishing techniques.
Obtain specialized technical training such as a double major or minor in Broadcasting.
Develop artistic talent.
Take courses or double major in Graphic Design/
Illustration.
Obtain related experience through internships. |
| |
RELIGIOUS COMMUNITIES
|
Denominational groups including:
- Roman Catholic (Nuns and Monks)
- Episcopal, and Greek Orthodox
- Buddhist
|
Desire to combine career with life/living arrangements.
Apply to religious order for admittance.
Requires self-discipline. |
| |
GENERAL INFORMATION
• People interested in religious vs. secular work possess deep faith, want more than filling own personal needs, and want to make a difference.
• Bachelor's degree provides broad background for careers in many fields including many religious-affiliated organizations.
• An undergraduate degree prepares students for professional and graduate study in business, law, medicine, counseling, higher education
and other fields.
• Dual majors are required for some specialized areas.
• Master of Divinity required for most clergy positions, plus denominational ordination.
• Obtain general knowledge of practices, procedures, guidelines and doctrine of one's faith.
• Possess understanding of human spiritual and social needs.
• Ph.D., Th.D. or D.Min. required for college/university/seminary teaching, research and administration.
• Obtain part-time, summer, internship, volunteer experience in religious institution or bookstore, or other related activity in working with and helping people.
• Develop counseling and communication skills due to the nature of the field and working with people.
• May be more opportunities for specific ministries in urban areas and large religious institutions.
• Obtain experience and contacts through extensive involvement in campus organizations. Leadership on the local, state and regional level is crucial.
• Obtain camp experience to improve organization and counseling skills as well as network within the denominational/organizational structure. |
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