|
Area
|
Employers
|
Strategies
|
|
Local church ministries -
Youth ministries
Adult ministries
Leisure ministries
Counseling
Religious education
Day care, children and adult
Journalism
Public relations
Television, radio, and films
Publishing
Missionary outreach
Music
|
Local churches
Religious organizations
Denominational boards |
Get additional training or double major in specialized areas.
Obtain certification for specialized areas.
Get experience in communications areas and develop a portfolio.
Double major in music; take additional course in church music. |
Social services -
Administration
Vocational training
Industrial
Retail
Public relations
Programming
Counseling
Advocacy
Camp administration |
National and local nonprofit organizations including United Way, Goodwill Industries, Salvation Army, sheltered industries, etc.
Churches and religious organizations
Shelters
Correctional institutions
Nursing homes
Youth organizations and camps including YMCA, YWCA, Young Life |
Volunteer with local organizations for experience.
May need specialized training / certification for some areas.
Obtain excellent interpersonal and oral and written communication skills. |
Health and welfare
ministries -
Administration
Social services
Residential living
Religious activities programming
Chaplaincy
Counseling |
Hospitals
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 (children, youth, the elderly).
Volunteer time in related organizations.
Obtain advanced degrees for counseling and chaplaincy. |
| Clergy |
Local churches
Religious organizations
Denominational boards and agencies |
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. |
Chaplaincy -
Military
Institutional |
All branches of military service
Hospitals
Homes for children, youth, senior citizens
Correctional institutions
Police and fire departments |
Obtain ordination and two years' service in local church; after acceptance into branch of service, required to attend chaplaincy school. |
Missions -
Church and community development
Education
Medical
Metropolitan ministries
Community centers |
Denominational boards or agencies
Missions boards
Local churches
Religious institutions |
Obtain any needed advanced degrees, certification, or licensing for area of interest.
Seek related volunteer or work experience. |
Education -
Teaching
Research
Counseling
Administration/staff
Chaplaincy
Religious Life Programming
Campus Ministry |
Religious-affiliated schools
Preparatory schools
Public, private, or religious-affiliated colleges and universities
Schools of theology |
May require certification/licensure to teach.
PhD usually required for teaching, research, and administration in colleges and universities.
Complete Master of Divinity plus additional training for campus ministry.
Requires a Master of Divinity and PhD or a PhD in the area of specialization. |
Business
Administration/management
Human resources
Building management
Research |
Local churches
Religious bookstores
Religious publishers
Denominational boards/agencies
Seminaries
Religious-affiliated schools
Denominational hospitals, homes, schools, boards, and agencies |
Double major or minor in Business.
Get related experience.
A dual degree in engineering is helpful for building management.
Develop research and writing skills. |
Journalism -
Writing
Editing
Public relations |
Denominational boards/agencies
Interdenominational organizations
Local churches |
May be freelance positions.
Take courses in English, social sciences and journalism.
Obtain related experience.
Submit articles for publication by religious and nonreligious papers. |
Publishing -
Writing
Editing
Public relations
Advertising
Sales
Administration
Commercial art |
Denominational publishing houses of books and magazines
Secular publishing houses
Denominational area and regional offices |
Take courses to develop excellent writing and editing skills.
Learn desktop publishing techniques.
Develop artistic talent.
Take courses or double major in Graphic Design or Illustration. |
| Television/Radio/Film |
Local churches
Denominational boards/agencies
Secular radio, television, and film industries |
Positions limited within churches.
Obtain specialized technical training, double major, or minor in Broadcasting.
Get related work experience. |
| Religious communities |
Denominational groups including the Roman Catholic, Episcopal, and Orthodox Churches |
Apply to religious order for admittance.
Requires self-discipline. |