Divinity - using your degree
From CareersWiki
Contents |
Introduction
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A degree from Scotland's first university is an excellent start to any future career. St Andrews has a reputation for excellence and the ability to attract the brightest students world wide. With this as a starting point you are well on the way to impressing future employers.
With its range of academic disciplines and variety of educational approaches, a degree in Divinity provides the context not only for significant intellectual and personal development, but also for the acquisition of a wide range of transferable skills (see Employability Profile). These are useful for careers in teaching; law; management; ministry, social, youth, community and advice work; administration; publishing; broadcasting; and local and national government jobs.
Other graduates may opt instead for postgraduate study and undertake full or part-time voluntary or paid work to gain experience or while waiting for their courses to begin.
Where do our graduates go?
| Year of graduation | Organisation/Company | Position
|
|---|---|---|
| These are some of the first roles taken on by students six months after graduation: | ||
| 2011 | Parallel Parents/Care Today | HR Officer |
| 2011 | Eversheds | Archivist |
| 2011 | Accenture | Business Analyst |
| 2010 | Council for World Missions | Programme Director |
| 2010 | Much Better Adventures | Operations Manager |
| 2010 | St Mary Magdalene Episcopal Church | Pastoral Assistant |
| 2009 | Heriot-Watt University Students' Association | Student Activities Co-ordinator |
| 2009 | Church of England | Clergyman |
| 2009 | Church of Scotland | Assistant Minister |
| 2009 | Autism Initiatives | Support Worker |
| 2009 | Christian Ministry | Church Associate |
| 2009 | Scottish Bible Co-ordinator | Bible world co-ordinator |
| Longer term career paths: | ||
| 2001 | Catonsville Presbyterian Church, Catonsville,USA | Pastor/Head of Staff |
| 2001 | College of DuPage,Glen Ellyn,USA | Associate Professor - Philosophy/Religious Studies |
| 2001 | President Kennedy School, Leeds | Assistant Principal Teacher of Religious Education |
| 1995 | Allsorts Mortgage Advice, Glasgow | Mortgage Consultant |
| 1985 | Oxford Radcliffe Hospitals, NHS Trust | Nursing Consultant |
Network with alumni
- LinkedIn this professional networking site can be a great way to make contact with St Andrews alumni. By joining the St Andrews alumni groups, University of St Andrews Alumni and University of St Andrews - Mentorship Programme, you are able to make contact directly with alumni with a LinkedIn profile.
- Careers Alumni Network- a database of St Andrews graduates who have volunteered to offer careers information to existing students.
Postgraduate study/research
In 2011, 25% of divinity graduates went on to do postgraduate study.
Advisers are able and willing to discuss postgraduate applications - vocational and academic.
In recent years, students (British nationals) at the University of St Andrews have had the opportunity of applying for financed graduate study through the Robert T Jones Graduate Fellowship, an award which covers tuition and provides a living stipend for up to three years of graduate work at The Candler School of Theology, Emory University, Atlanta.
Summer internships/work experience
One of the key aspects that often helps graduate recruiters to differentiate between candidates during the selection process is work experience. Students and graduates who have had internships or vacation placements usually have a much better understanding of the roles they are applying for and the industry or business sector they want to join after graduation. High Fliers - The UK Graduate Careers Survey 2012.
Subject-specific opportunities
- Part-time internships at The University of St Andrews Centre for the Study of Religion and Politics (CSRP)
- Quarr Abbey Monastic Internships
Involvement at Committee level in societies is valued by employers. There are a number of societies in St Andrews with aims and values which will match those of students studying in the School of Divinity, eg Save the Children, Unicef, Mary’s Meals.
Work experience example of divinity student
| Year of graduation | Organisation/Company | Position |
|---|---|---|
| 2009 | World Golf Tour | Production Assistant for World Golf Tour |
- Read a number of case studies written by divinity students, on our work experience case studies database.
- If you have undertaken any type of work experience, then why not inspire students by sharing your story.
Employability profile: what you can offer employers
Skills
The profile below identifies the skills that can be developed through the study of your discipline based on subject benchmark statements developed by UK higher education academic communities. It may help you to identify the valuable skills that you can offer to potential employers.
- empathy and imaginative insight
- independence of mind and initiative and a belief in life-long learning
- teamwork skills including attending to others and having respect for others’ views
- ability to gather, evaluate and synthesise different types of information
- analytical ability and the capacity to formulate questions and solve problems
- IT and presentation skills
- writing skills, including accurate referencing and clarity of expression
- ability to attend closely to the meaning of written documents.
