In his 2015 encyclical Laudato Si, Pope Francis writes, “Business is a noble vocation, directed to producing wealth and improving our world. It can be a fruitful source of prosperity for the areas in which it operates, especially if it sees the creation of jobs as an essential part of its service to the common good.” When you pursue a career in business as a Theology major, you can bring your analytical skills, cultural competency, and orientation toward the common good into the marketplace. Alumni of the department have served as consultants, salespeople, and managers in a number of industries.

Companies prize employees with backgrounds in the humanities because they bring critical thinking, analytical rigor, and creativity to their work. Your theology studies have given you skills and perspectives that will be helpful to a career in business:

• Reading and analyzing complex material in thoughtful and creative ways, which can support innovative research and analysis.

• Synthesizing and communicating information to different audiences, which can be helpful for roles related to consulting, management, or sales.

• Cultivating an understanding and respect of various cultures and perspectives, which can be helpful for work related to customer service or project management involving people from a variety of backgrounds.

While at Fordham

Career Services can provide general advice about preparing yourself to pursue opportunities in business and specific internships in the area. Take advantage of these resources.

If you have room in your course schedule, consider taking a few electives (or pursuing a minor) to build a set of marketable skills in addition to the research and communication skills that you have developed as a theology major or minor. This might take the form of business classes, but it doesn’t have to! Coursework in a foreign language, math, or computer science might open up opportunities for companies seeking basic familiarity in these areas. This coursework might even give you occasion to make connections with theology or religion in surprising ways.

Following Graduation

The need for a clear and creative “elevator pitch” is particularly important when applying for jobs in business, where interviewers might not have an intuitive sense of how theological study translates into skills relevant for a particular company or industry. Learn how to succinctly communicate your skills while looking for jobs.

Some companies actively seek out humanities majors and provide technical and management training. These companies are often present at recruitment fairs on campus or post listings on Handshake with this priority in mind. Attend these events and read through these listings even if you are nervous about your qualifications. Keep an open mind about how you might apply your skills and studies.

Helpful Resources

• Yoni Appelbaum, “Why America’s Business Majors are in Desperate Need of a Liberal Arts Education.” Provides data and reasons why a liberal arts degree offers effective preparation for a career in business.