Religious Studies Major Careers

Area

Employer

Information/Strategies

International Areas

• International aid and relief organizations
• NGO’s (Non-governmental Organizations), e.g. Amnesty International
• Nonprofit and not-for-profit organizations, .e.g Vital Voices or Habitat for Humanity
• Federal government agencies with an international focus, e.g. Peace Corps, USAID and the Foreign Service (State Department)
• Private voluntary organizations
• Humanitarian organizations, e.g. International Red Cross and CARE
• Religious organizations, e.g. World Vision
• National Security Council
• United Nations
• Think tanks

• Many international organizations value the historical and contemporary context of religions and cultures that one learns in religious studies.
• Learn one or more foreign languages.
• Plan to study, volunteer or intern abroad more than one time if possible.
• Seek cultural experiences on campus and get involved with the international student population.
• Join relevant student organizations such as Amnesty International and gain leadership roles.
• Develop excellent research, writing, communication and organizational skills.
• Participate in an international service learning experience or go on a mission trip.
• Federal international jobs require careful observation of a formal hiring procedure. Apply for a federal government internship.
• Government work in the foreign service requires passage of the Foreign Service Exam and adherence to a list of requirements.
• Research the international organization/agency’s structure and function.
• Volunteer at relevant local social service agencies to gain experience and demonstrate interest.
• Develop good working knowledge of international humanitarian law.
• Demonstrate your depth of dedication, willingness to adapt, and coping mechanisms to combat stress and difficult situations.
• Develop skills in the areas of organizing groups, efficiency and the ability to calm people.
• Earn a graduate degree in an area of interest to open more job opportunities. Religious studies provides a good background for a variety of graduate programs.

Education

• Secondary 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, e.g. Chuang Yen Monastery

• Earn a doctorate degree for teaching and research in colleges and universities. Earn a master’s degree in a relevant field for positions in student affairs administration or library/information sciences.
• Earn certification/licensure to teach in public secondary schools. Choose a double major in an area such as history.
• 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.
• Seek campus leadership positions such as Peer Mentor, Resident Assistant or Orientation Leader.
• Volunteer to assist a faculty member with research.
• Develop relationships with faculty to secure strong recommendations.
• Maintain a strong grade point average to gain admittance into graduate school.
• Learn to speak a second language if planning to pursue a graduate degree in religious studies. Choose a language that will be particularly relevant to your interests.

Business

• Insurance firms
• Retail stores
• Banks
• Staffing agencies
• Service industries
• Other large corporations

• Learn how to sell your religious studies major to business employers that value employees who understand and tolerate cultural diversity.
• Double major or minor in Business.
• Gain related experience through internships or summer and part-time jobs.
• Get involved in relevant student organizations and seek leadership roles.
• Develop good computer skills and learn how to use spreadsheet, presentation and database software.

Communications and Arts

• Secular publishing houses
• Secular radio, television and film producers
• Newspapers
• Denominational boards/agencies
• Interdenominational organizations
• Denominational publishing houses of books and magazines
• Local churches, synagogues and mosques
• Advertising and public relation agencies
• Museums
• Galleries

• Plan to complete one or more internships in this area to prepare for a professional job and to build a network.
• Take courses in English, journalism, art history or photography depending upon interest area.
• Develop excellent writing skills.
• Work for the campus newspaper, radio station or tv station.
• Submit articles for publication in religious and nonreligious papers and journals.
• Learn desktop publishing techniques.
• Obtain specialized technical training such as a double major or minor in Broadcasting or Graphic Design for work in those fields.
• Develop a portfolio of writing samples.
• Consider moving to larger metropolitan areas for more job opportunities and be willing to relocate often for promotions.
• Consider freelance positions to work in journalism.
• Earn a graduate degree to qualify for work in museums.

Social Services

• Nonprofit and social services organizations including United Way, Red Cross, Goodwill Industries, Salvation Army, etc.
• Immigrant and refugee service providers
• Migrant service providers
• Hospitals and hospices
• Residential treatment facilities
• Correctional institutions
• Shelters
• Nursing homes
• Youth organizations and camps including YMCA, YWCA, Young Life, etc.
• Churches, synagogues and mosques
• Lobby agencies

• Volunteer with local organizations to gain experience working with a wide variety of people from various backgrounds.
• Obtain excellent interpersonal and oral and written communication skills.
• Plan to earn a graduate degree in counseling, social work or psychology to provide therapy or counseling to clients.
• Complete an internship or part-time job in an organization of interest to gain experience and develop contacts.
• Find ways to develop fundraising and grant writing skills. These are valued by nonprofit agencies.
• Learn a language such as Spanish to work with immigrant and migrant populations.
• Earn a joint degree in Divinity and Law to work in legal fields related to religious freedom issues.

Religiously Affiliated Areas

• Local churches, synagogues, mosques
• Religious organizations
• Religious communities, e.g. convents and monasteries
• Religious retreat centers, Christian and Buddhist
• Denominational boards and agencies
• Monasteries
• All branches of military service
• Hospitals, hospices
• Homes for children, youth, senior citizens
• Correctional institutions
• Police and fire departments
• Missions boards
• Local churches
• Evangelical organizations e.g. Billy Graham Evangelistic Association
• Religious-based camps and youth programs

• Obtain general knowledge of practices, procedures, guidelines and doctrine of one’s faith.
• Possess understanding of human spiritual and social needs.
• Research requirements to enter leadership in the faith you want to pursue. Master of Divinity and denominational ordination are required for most clergy positions, for example.
• Possess high moral and ethical standards.
• Develop leadership ability and self discipline.
• Obtain excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• To become a chaplain, obtain ordination and two years’ service in local church or after acceptance into branch of military service, attend chaplaincy school.
• Obtain any needed advanced degrees, certification or licensing in area of interest for missions.
• Seek related experience by participating with missions groups.
• Obtain travel and cultural experience with group of interest. Foreign language skills are a plus.
• Develop fundraising skills and contacts.
• People interested in religious vs. secular work possess deep faith, want more than filling one’s own personal needs and desire to make a difference.
• May be more opportunities for specific ministries in urban areas and large religious institutions.
• Obtain experience and contacts through extensive involvement in campus organizations or local religious institutions. Leadership on the local, state and regional level is crucial.
• Seek camp experience to improve organization and counseling skills as well as network within the denominational/organizational structure.
• Learn to work well with people of all different backgrounds and socioeconomic status.
• Earn dual degrees where appropriate, e.g. music.