Ministry
Ministry
Working in the religious ministries sector is often thought of as a calling more than a career. Becoming a member of the clergy, in particular, is a lifestyle. Rather than clocking in from nine to five, clergy may be called upon at all hours of the day, every day of the week, to perform ceremonies, attend to the needs of congregants, and ponder and write sermons and other messages.
There are various types of positions within the religious ministries, but most individuals choose the path because they want to serve God, build community, and lead others in their spiritual journey.
Job Title Examples:
- Catholic Priest
- Children's Minister
- Adult Ministries Director
- Missionary Coordinator
- Rector
Skills Needed:
- Leadership
- Teamwork
- Critical Thinking
- Time Management
- Communication
Find Opportunities
Using IrishCompass, LinkedIn, and ND’s alumni association directory called myND is the best way to start on the networking front. Building relationships and networking is a key factor when it comes to finding out about opportunities in this sector as well.
If looking for a position within the Catholic Church, it is helpful to search by diocese. To find a diocese use the Diocesan Locator.
Job Databases:
- Connecting Catholic employers with Catholic job seekers
- Catholic Jobs
- Dynamic Catholic
- Christian Jobs/Internships Postings
- Jobs in Catholic Universities
- Jobs in Higher Education
Industry Timeline
Careers in this field depend on individual organization’s needs and position availability.
Applying and Interviewing
Resumes
Your resume will often be the first impression for a potential employer. You want to make sure that your resume is concise, direct, and specific. Ensure that your resume is tailored for the position and for the industry. Highlighting relevant coursework can demonstrate your fit for a particular position. Review our guide on resumes for more information on how to construct one.
Cover Letters
A cover letter introduces you to a potential employer. Use the position description to make specific connections between your skills and experience and what the organization is looking for in a candidate. The cover letter should be concise and well-written—if a potential employer reads your cover letter and is intrigued, they will then read your resume. Your cover letter should not repeat your resume verbatim, but enhance it. Together the cover letter and resume can help land you an interview. Review our guide on cover letters for more information on how to construct one.
Interviewing
Most interviews will contain a mixture of resume based questions (questions about your past experience) and behavioral based questions (your ability to handle prospective situations at work. Most positions will begin with an interview that has a mix of these questions. Review our guide on common interview questions.
Preparation is extremely important for interviews. Research the organization, current and previous projects they’ve worked on, and even the people that you’re interviewing with. This will not only help provide talking points but will show your knowledge and genuine interest in the position. Utilize our resources on how to best prepare yourself to excel in your interview.
Online Resources
Explore:
- Vault Guide to Religious Ministry Jobs
- Religious Ministry Overview (Vault)
- Careers/Vocations in the Catholic Church
- Discovering Your Vocation
- Directors of Religious Education (O*Net)
- Clergy (O*Net)
Professional Associations:
Every profession has one or more professional associations. Most of these are underused by students but that have WONDERFUL information about the profession. Often they have a student organization which has up-to-date, fun, and relevant information for undergraduate-aged students.
- Association of Catholic Colleges and Universities
- Christians Engaged in Faith Formation
- Association for Women in Ministry
- Comprehensive Listing of Professional Associations & Faith Groups
- Spiritual Directors International
Blog/Podcasts:
-
FaithND
- Join the Notre Dame family of faith! Hear God's Word with our Daily Gospel Reflection. Share a prayer card from campus. Request a prayer from the Grotto. Be moved by a story of faithfulness.
-
Grotto Network
- We’re a digital refuge. A space to recharge. Whether you’re feeling lost, on top of the world, or stuck in your own head, you’re not alone here.
Campus Resources
Meet with a career counselor
Schedule an Appointment
Campus Organizations:
Employers Examples:
- ACE (ND)
- Campus Ministry (ND)
- Echo (ND)
- Grotto Network (ND)
- Archdiocese of Chicago
- Center for Action and Contemplation
- Congregation of Holy Cross
- Liturgy Training Publications
- Catholic primary, secondary schools, and universities
- Churches throughout the United States
Join Handshake:
Personalize your feed, explore your curiosities, and get updates that matter to you. Handshake is a dynamic system that works to match students with the most relevant resources and opportunities offered by our office including:
- Access to personalized job recommendations – This is based on major, career interests, and profile information such as skills and experiences. When students fill out their profile, they’ll be able to see jobs and internships that match their interests and skills.
- Ability to schedule one–on-one counseling appointments – Counseling appointments are able to be scheduled through Handshake and held virtually via Zoom.
- Ability to Interact with employers – Students can research contact information for local and national employers. Employers can also message students with opportunities and information.
- Connect with students across the country - Students can interact with their peers through messaging, get tips and advice, as well as network.
- Search for and apply to open positions - On Handshake, students can see jobs and internships posted specifically for them as well as employers actively recruiting from Notre Dame.