World religions are truly fascinating subjects to study. They not only offer students the chance to further understand another culture, but also world history, ethics, and human nature itself. You don’t have to be religious to study religion. In fact, it may help if you’re not. There’s a whole host of possible career paths open to people with a degree in religious studies. Have a look through these ideas to help you out if you’re thinking about studying religion or theology.
Politics and Social Activism
Did you know that Martin Luther King, the man who led the civil rights movement in the 1960s, was a theology graduate? Religion teaches the importance of fraternity and solidarity, so it’s no wonder so many people who study it, end up taking up roles in social activism and politics. These jobs offer you the chance to improve people’s lives for the better and offer help to the people in society who need it most of all. This could mean working in the community, supporting needy children or working in education. Which brings us to the next career path.
Teaching
Teachers are always in demand; we can never have too many of them. This is especially true of religious studies teachers. Many graduates go on to teach young children, but you could carry on into postgraduate study and then work as a lecturer at a top university.
As I mentioned above, religious studies often attracts people with a caring and nurturing disposition. This may be why teaching is such a popular career path for theology and religious studies graduates.
Faith Jobs
Although most graduates don’t go into a job in organised religion once they finish their studies, it is still an option that attracts many young people. A degree will allow you take up some roles in the Church immediately, but many will require further training or theological study before they can be undertaken.
You could get a free ministry degree online if you want to get a leg up onto the jobs ladder. Then, it won’t be long before you’re the leader of a religious community.
Counselling
Careers in counselling can be both very challenging and very rewarding. To succeed, you’ll need to be able to talk to people who have different problems, assuredly and empathetically. You’ll also have to gain people’s trust very quickly.
A degree in religion can help you on the road to this career because of everything learning about religion involves. By the time you graduate you’ll understand a lot about human nature and the security and comfort offered to people by their religion. You may need extra training with an accredited counselling body before you can get underway though.
Something Completely Different
A degree, no matter what the subject, can help you get a job in many professions. Don’t limit yourself. Take your time and talk to people in different industries when exploring the different career pathways open to you. You could end up starting a career in something entirely unrelated to religion and theology.