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Religious Studies

Industry Areas

Here are examples of industry areas students enter with this major, jobs/internships, typical employers that hire students, skills employers look for, and examples of where alumni work.  To find more information make an appointment with your career counselor/advisor.

Industry Areas for Religious Studies
Industry|Employers
Job|Roles
Skills
Alumni

International Areas

International aid and relief organizations
NGO’s (Non-governmental Organizations)
Nonprofit and not-for-profit organizations
Federal government agencies
Private voluntary organizations
Humanitarian organizations
Religious organizations, e.g. World Vision
National Security Council
United Nations
Think tanks

Humanitarian Services
Development:
Economic
Community
Disaster/Disease Relief
Policy Development
Program Administration
Volunteer Coordination
Peace Keeping or Peacebuilding
Conflict Resolution/Management
Diplomacy/Faith Based Diplomacy
Public Service:
Foreign Affairs
International Security
International Law
Administrative
Communication
Foreign Language
Multitasking
Leadership
Prioritizing
Administrative
Analytical Thinking
Attention to Detail
Time Management
Writing Skills
Active Learning
US Agency for International Development, Congressional Liaison Officer

Education

Secondary schools
Private, public, or religiously affiliated colleges and universities
Schools of theology/seminaries
Buddhist Monasteries, e.g. Chuang Yen Monastery

Teaching
Research
Student Affairs Administration
Multicultural Programming
Programs/Study Abroad Administration
Library/Information Sciences
Religious Life Programming
Campus Ministry
K-12:  
Coordination
public speaking
critical thinking
writing
social perceptiveness
complex problem solving.
Higher Ed:
Research
Writing
critical thinking
judgment and decision making
presentations
Southern Methodist University, Edward and Emma Lehman Chair in Christian Doctrine
John Carroll University, Professor of Biblical Studies & Early Christianity
Cru, Campus Director
Christ Community Church, Preschool Director
Northbrook School Dist, Educational Psychologist
University Lutheran Church and Lutheran Campus Ministry, Music Director

Business

Insurance firms
Retail stores
Banks and financial institutions
Staffing agencies
Service industries

Human Resources:
Training and Development
Recruitment
Equity and Diversity Functions
Management
Sales
Marketing
Public Relations
Problem-Solving Skills
Analytical Thinking Skills
Leadership & Team Based Skills
Business Judgment
Communication Skills
Project Management
Professionalism
Centurion Capital Management, Chairman
Garth Robertson College Consulting, Higher Education Consultant
Therapeutic Proteins International, LLC, Senior Director of Human Resources

Arts & Communication

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

Writing
Editing
Publishing
Television/Film
Radio
Advertising
Public Relations
Sales
Commercial Art
Website Design
Event Planning
Museum Work:
Curatorship
Exhibition Design
advanced verbal and written communication
flexibility and versatility
ability to research and think critically
strong interpersonal  skills
creativity
editing and attention to detail
teamwork
active listening  and interviewing
time management
National Climate Data Center, Copy Editor
Penton Media, Web Site Strategic Editor

Social Services

Nonprofit and social services organizations
Immigrant and refugee service providers
Migrant service providers
Hospitals and hospices
Residential treatment facilities
Correctional institutions
Shelters
Nursing homes and assisted living facilities
Youth organizations and camps
Churches, synagogues, and mosques
Lobby agencies

Case Management
Counseling
Rehabilitation
Administration
Vocational Training
Volunteer Services
Programming
Advocacy
Crisis Services (pregnancy, housing, etc.)
Church-based Organizing/Community Development
Fundraising
Grant Writing
Law
Administrative
Communication
Foreign Language
Multitasking
Leadership
Prioritizing
Administrative
Analytical Thinking
Attention to Detail
Time Management
Writing Skills
Active Learning
East Bay, Spiritual Care Counselor, Hospice
Tidwell Social Services, Social Worker
State of Montana, Social Services Specialist
National Runaway Safeline, Community Engagement Specialist

Religious 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

Clergy and Other Religious Leaders Including:
Buddhist, Catholic, Jewish, Protestant, Islamic, Hindu, Greek Orthodox
Vocation as Monk or Nun
Chaplaincy:
Military
Institutional
Mission Work:
Church Development
Community or Agricultural Development
Educational
Medical
Metropolitan
Evangelism
Local Ministries Including:
Youth Ministries
Adult Ministries
Leisure Ministries
Counseling/Recovery
Religious Education
Day Care, Children and Adult
Food Bank/Emergency Ministries
Family Life Center Management
Music-Oriented Ministries
Religious Camp Administration
advanced verbal and written communication
flexibility and versatility
ability to research and think critically
strong interpersonal  skills
creativity
editing and attention to detail
teamwork
active listening  and interviewing
time management
Englewood-Rust United Methodist Church, Pastor
Church Planning Associates, Executive Director
South Congregational 1st Baptist, Co-Pastor
Christ Church, Youth Pastor

Government & Policy

Local and state government
Political parties
Political action committees
Legislatures and other elected public officials
School districts
Court systems

City or Town Management
Translation/Interpretation
Regional Planning
Public Policy
Intelligence
Community Affairs
Campaigning
Legislative Assistance
Public Information
Research
Lobbying
Conflict Negotiation
Program Administration
General Services
Social Services
Foreign Service
Legislative, Executive, or Judicial Services
Administrative
Communication
Foreign Language
Multitasking
Leadership
Prioritizing
Administrative
Analytical Thinking
Attention to Detail
Time Management
Writing Skills
Active Learning
US Census Bureau, Chf Decennial Census

Law

Law firms
Federal, state and local government
Corporations
Nonprofit and public interest organizations
Legal aid societies
Private practice
Colleges and universities

Prosecution
Defense
Contractual
Corporate
Nonprofit or Public Interest
Government
Mediation
Lobbying
Law Assistance
Administrative
Analytical Thinking
Attention to Detail
Time Management
Writing Skills
Active Learning
Private Practice, Adoption Attorney
Secretary of State, Securities Attorney
Miller Nash Graham & Dunn LLP, Associate Attorney

International Development

Non-governmental organizations
Relief agencies
Religious organizations
Educational institutions
Consulting firms
Research institutes
Foundations
Defense contractors
Federal government including:
Department of State
Department of Agriculture
Department of Commerce
Department of Defense:
Armed Services
US Agency for International Development
National Security Council
National Security Agency
Legislative officials

Community Development
Economic Development
Resource Development
Diplomacy
Peacekeeping
Foreign Affairs
Program Administration
Public-Private Partnerships
Governance
Policy Making and Analysis
Legislative Services
Political Advising
Public Sector Reform
Poverty-Reduction Strategy
Ethics and Anti-Corruption
Human Rights
United Nations
Administrative
Communication
Foreign Language
Multitasking
Leadership
Prioritizing
US Agency for International Development, Congressional Liaison Officer

 

Popular Industries (According to LinkedIn)

  • Education (25%)
  • Media and Communication (18%)
  • Community and Social Services (12%)
  • Research (12%)
  • Entrepreneurship (8%)
  • Healthcare Services (7%)
  • Consulting (7%)

Professional Associations